Close Social Relationships

Loneliness

Loneliness is a distressing experience that arises from a perceived discrepancy between one’s desired and actual level of social connectedness. This is conceptually distinct from social isolation, which refers to the objective lack of social contacts and interactions.

Researchers

Koichiro Shiba

Boston University, Epidemiology

Renae Wilkinson

Harvard University, Sociology

Eric Kim

University of British Columbia, Psychology

Brendan Case

Harvard University, Theology

Sakurako Okuzono

Harvard University, Epidemiology

Richard Cowden

Harvard University, Psychology

South Africa

Craig Gundersen

Baylor University, Economics

Ying Chen

Harvard University, Epidemiology

Noah Padgett

Harvard University, Epidemiology

Byron R. Johnson

Baylor University, Institute for Studies of Religion/Sociology

Tyler VanderWeele

Harvard University, Epidemiology / Biostatistics

The Question:

How do the mean levels and inequalities in loneliness differ across countries, and how does loneliness vary by sociodemographic characteristics and childhood factors?