Cited by 898Health disparities and outcomesCOVID-19 and Mental HealthDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion

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The growing problem of loneliness

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Cacioppo, John T, Cacioppo, Stephanie·2018·The Lancet

DOI 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30142-9PMC PMC6530780

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A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys: Results From Two Population-Based Studies
Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2004) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027504268574 · Cited by 4,781
Self-citation
A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Reduce Loneliness
Masi, C. M., Chen, H.-Y., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2011) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868310377394 · Cited by 1,995
Self-citation
The neuroendocrinology of social isolation
Cacioppo, J. T., Cacioppo, S., Capitanio, J. P., & Cole, S. W. (2015) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-015240 · Cited by 977
Self-citation
Toward a neurology of loneliness
Cacioppo, S., Capitanio, J. P., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2014) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0037618 · Cited by 623
Self-citation
Myeloid differentiation architecture of leukocyte transcriptome dynamics in perceived social isolation
Cole, S. W., Capitanio, J. P., Chun, K., Arevalo, J. M. G., Ma, J., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2015) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1514249112 · Cited by 310
Self-citation
Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for CVD: implications for evidence-based patient care and scientific inquiry
Holt‐Lunstad, J., & Smith, T. B. (2016) · Heart · doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-309242 · Cited by 282
Why Loneliness Is Hazardous to Your Health
Miller, G. L. (2011) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.331.6014.138 · Cited by 128

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Items 201–300 of 898

A Psychological Perspective on Vicarious Embarrassment and Shame in the Context of Cringe Humor
Mayer, A. V., Paulus, F. M., & Krach, S. (2021) · Humanities · doi:10.3390/h10040110 · Cited by 28
Alone and lonely. The economic cost of solitude for regions in Europe
Burlina, C., & Rodríguez‐Pose, A. (2023) · Environment and Planning A Economy and Space · doi:10.1177/0308518x231169286 · Cited by 21
“In this case, solitude can be equated to ‘ loneliness ’ and is often considered a distressing experience, leading to irritability and depression and to increases in premature deaths (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018).”
Attached but Lonely: Emotional Intelligence as a Mediator and Moderator between Attachment Styles and Loneliness
Borawski, D., Sojda, M., Rychlewska, K., & Wajs, T. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192214831 · Cited by 28
“Loneliness has little in common with objective indicators of isolation, such as the number of friends or acquaintances [6].”
Background
How loneliness undermines close relationships and persists over time: The role of perceived regard and care.
Lemay, E. P., Cutri, J. N., & Teneva, N. (2024) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspi0000451 · Cited by 26
Long-term social distancing during COVID-19: A social isolation crisis among seniors?
Li, H. O., & Huynh, D. (2020) · Canadian Medical Association Journal · doi:10.1503/cmaj.75428 · Cited by 20
Testing the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) to Predict the Use of New Technology for Social Connectedness in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sharma, M., Batra, K., & Flatt, J. D. (2021) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare9070838 · Cited by 23
“Loneliness reflects subjective experiences, while social isolation describes the objective state of an individual’s social interactions [4,5].”
Background
Mediating Effect of Loneliness in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Hou, P. K., Xue, H., Zhang, Y., Ping, Y., Zheng, Y., Wang, Y., Yao, Z., Xie, X., Dai, H., & Liu, Y. (2022) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci12101341 · Cited by 20
“As a public health problem, loneliness can increase the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, and death [13,14].”
Background
Global Trends in Social Prescribing: Web-Based Crawling Approach
Lee, H., Koh, S. B., Jo, H. S., Lee, T. H., Nam, H. K., ‍Zhao, B., Lim, S., Lim, J. A., Lee, H. H., Hwang, Y. S., et al. (2023) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/46537 · Cited by 21
“Studies show that this condition increases the risk of premature mortality by 26% [1].”
Adverse childhood experience and young adult's problematic Internet use: The role of hostility and loneliness
Lin, W., & Chiao, C. (2024) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106624 · Cited by 26
Factors Related to Mental Health During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain
González, R. P., Vicario‐Molina, I., Ortega, E. G., & Picos, A. P. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.715792 · Cited by 22
“Before the pandemic crisis, loneliness was already a public health concern (Richard et al., 2017; Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018; Ercole and Parr, 2020), but social distancing and lockdown measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19 could potentially increase feelings of loneliness, especially…”
Background
The Role of Third Place concerning Loneliness in the Context of Ageing in Place: Three Neighbourhoods in Stockholm
Jing, J., Dahlberg, L., Canter, D. V., & Plater-Zyberk, E. (2024) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1155/2024/4172682 · Cited by 27
“Te negative efects of loneliness include increased risks of morbidity and mortality [21–23].”
Background
Loneliness-based impaired reward system pathway: Theoretical and clinical analysis and application
Wilkialis, L., Rodrigues, N. B., Majeed, A., Lee, Y. L., Lipsitz, O., Gill, H., Tamura, J. K., Nasri, F., Lui, L. M. W., Siegel, A. N., et al. (2021) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113800 · Cited by 24
Challenges Deploying Robots During a Pandemic
Tsoi, N., Connolly, J., Adéníran, E., Hansen, A., Pineda, K. T., Adamson, T., Thompson, S., Ramnauth, R., Vázquez, M., & Scassellati, B. M. (2021) · ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) · doi:10.1145/3434073.3444665 · Cited by 19
“In turn, loneliness can negatively afect one’s overall health [40] and increase mortality [9].”
Background
“Live” Together with You: Livestream Views Mitigate the Effects of Loneliness on Well-being
Goh, Z. H., Tandoc, E. C., & Ng, B. (2021) · Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media · doi:10.1080/08838151.2021.1994970 · Cited by 19
“Loneliness, recognized as a global public health problem, is often associated with serious consequences such as premature mortality (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018a) and other grave medical conditions such as stroke and depression (CDC, 2020).”
Background
The impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home residents: An occupational perspective
Richardson, G., Cleary, R., & Usher, R. (2022) · Journal of Occupational Science · doi:10.1080/14427591.2022.2066158 · Cited by 22
Better Together: Social Contact and Loneliness Among U.S. Older Adults During COVID-19
Dhakal, U., Koumoutzis, A., & Vivoda, J. M. (2022) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbac136 · Cited by 21
“Although the concepts are related, it is possible to experience loneliness despite having a large social network; conversely, isolated individuals may not experience loneliness (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
The Relationship Between Volunteering and the Occurrence of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study with 12 Years of Follow-Up
Cho, J., & Xiang, X. (2022) · Journal of Gerontological Social Work · doi:10.1080/01634372.2022.2139322 · Cited by 20
“…functions, and health behaviors (Boss et al., CONTACT Joonyoung Cho joony@umich.edu School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC 2015; Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Queen et al., 2014).”
Background
Peer network Status and Depressive Symptoms Among Early Adolescents: Testing the Mediating Effects of Metaperception and Loneliness
Humenny, G., Grygiel, P., Dolata, R., & Świtaj, P. (2021) · School Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s12310-020-09409-3 · Cited by 21
“Similar to depression, loneliness is a common condition and a major public health concern (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
Loneliness is linked to specific subregional alterations in hippocampus-default network covariation
Zajner, C., Spreng, R. N., & Bzdok, D. (2021) · Journal of Neurophysiology · doi:10.1152/jn.00339.2021 · Cited by 18
Validation of the Spanish version of the Three-Item Loneliness Scale ( Validación de la versión española de la Escala de Soledad de Tres Ítems )
Pedroso‐Chaparro, M. D. S., Márquez‐González, M., Fernándes-Pires, J., Gallego‐Alberto, L., Jiménez‐Gonzalo, L., Nuevo, R., & Losada‐Baltar, A. (2021) · Studies in Psychology Estudios de Psicología · doi:10.1080/02109395.2021.1989889 · Cited by 19
“Loneliness is a prevalent problem associated with negative physical and mental health consequences (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Lim et al., 2020; Ong et al., 2016).”
Background
Virtual connection, real support? A study of loneliness, time on social media and psychological distress among men
Seidler, Z. E., Wilson, M. J., Rice, S., Kealy, D., Oliffe, J. L., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2020) · International Journal of Social Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/0020764020983836 · Cited by 26
“Many scholars have postulated that Western societies are experiencing an age of loneliness characterised by high and rising rates of social isolation and disconnection (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
Intersectional social identities and loneliness: Evidence from a municipality in Switzerland
Li, Y., & Spini, D. (2022) · Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/jcop.22855 · Cited by 25
“Older adults being at an increased risk of loneliness is partly attributable to deteriorating health and reduced social contacts, particularly after retirement (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; De Jong Gierveld & VanTilburg, 2010).”
The neuroanatomy of social trust predicts depression vulnerability
Fermin, A. S. R., Kiyonari, T., Matsumoto, Y., Takagishi, H., Li, Y., Kanai, R., Sakagami, M., Akaishi, R., Ichikawa, N., Takamura, M., et al. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-20443-w · Cited by 21
The impact of loneliness and social adaptation on depressive symptoms: Behavioral and brain measures evidence from a brain health perspective
Franco-O´Byrne, D., González-Gómez, R., Sepúlveda, J. P. M., Vergara, M., Ibáñez, A. M., & Huepe, D. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1096178 · Cited by 18
“For example, loneliness is associated with low self-esteem and negative attributions about others and the world (Hawkley and Cacioppo, 2010; Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
“I Can’t Believe I Phubbed Up Our Friendship!”: Examining Relationships between Loneliness, Problematic Smartphone Use, Friend Phubbing, and Life Satisfaction
Sun, J., & Wong, N. C. H. (2024) · Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies · doi:10.1155/2024/5558587 · Cited by 27
“Of the many psychosocial and subjective feelings that have been studied within interpersonal research, loneliness has become a growing public mental and psychological problem worth exploring [20], as this psychological state in ﬂ uences people ’ s experiences of life satisfaction [21].”
Background
Transitory or Chronic? Gendered Loneliness Trajectories over Widowhood and Separation in Older Age
Kapelle, N., & Monden, C. W. S. (2024) · Journal of Health and Social Behavior · doi:10.1177/00221465231223719 · Cited by 19
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Socioeconomic status and internet addiction: double-mediated moderation
Chen, W., Gao, Y., Ren, R., Bi, Y., & Liao, Y. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-21153-w · Cited by 18
“Loneliness is a subjective emotional experience, often associated with an individual’s perceived lack of social connection [13], and alienation is also regarded as a subjective sense of experience, that is, an individual cannot clearly locate his or her social role, and it is easy to have a sense…”
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“Loneliness was signi ﬁ cant, affecting 86% of the participants, raising public health concerns (49, 50).”
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Digital Social Robots in Reducing Loneliness Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Analysis
Murayama, H., & Takase, M. (2025) · JMIR Aging · doi:10.2196/74422 · Cited by 23
“Loneliness is an increasing public health concern, particularly among older adults [1].”
The negative impact of loneliness and perceived stress on mental health during two-month lockdown in Shanghai
Li, R., Huang, C., Guan, B., Du, J., Zhao, M., & Liu, S. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.055 · Cited by 18
“Loneliness and perceived stress have been regarded as emerging public health problems before COVID-19 which had great influence on mental health (Beutel et al., 2017; Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018; Cristóbal-Narváez et al., 2020; S. Wang et al., 2019).”
Background
[Reliability and validity of the 6-item UCLA Loneliness Scale(ULS-6)for application in adults].
Xiao, R., & Du, J. (2023) · PubMed Central · doi:10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2023.06.04 · Cited by 17
Use of home and community-based services and loneliness in older people with functional limitations: a cross-sectional study
Zhang, J., Sun, X., & Yao, A. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-05225-6 · Cited by 22
Evaluation of Changes in Social Isolation and Loneliness with Incident Cardiovascular Events and Mortality
Chen, Y., Xue, H., Nie, Y., Zhou, Y., Ai, S., Liu, Y., Zhang, J., & Liang, Y. Y. (2024) · Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health · doi:10.1007/s44197-024-00243-3 · Cited by 25
“Social isolation is defined as a lack of objective social contacts or being alone [1], while loneliness is a stressful experience where individuals subjectively perceive themselves to be socially isolated from others [7].”
BackgroundInfluential
The new science of sleep: From cells to large-scale societies
Sharon, O., Simon, E. B., Shah, V. D., Desel, T., & Walker, M. P. (2024) · PLoS Biology · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3002684 · Cited by 18
Reducing loneliness in older adults: looking at locals and migrants in a Swiss case study
Ehsan, A., Bolano, D., Guillaume-Boeckle, S., & Spini, D. (2020) · European Journal of Ageing · doi:10.1007/s10433-020-00577-4 · Cited by 18
“Older adults are at an increased risk for loneliness, and loneliness among older adults is an emerging public health problem (Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2018).”
Background
Social and physical neighbourhood characteristics and loneliness among older adults: results from the MINDMAP project
Timmermans, E. J., Motoc, I., Noordzij, J. M., Beenackers, M. A., Wissa, R., Sarr, A., Gurer, A., Fabre, G., Ruiz, M. A., Doiron, D., et al. (2020) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech-2020-214217 · Cited by 18
Increased pSTS activity and decreased pSTS-mPFC connectivity when processing negative social interactions
Arioli, M., Basso, G., Carne, I., Poggi, P., & Canessa, N. (2020) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113027 · Cited by 19
Lonely in the Dark: Trauma Memory and Sex‐Specific Dysregulation of Amygdala Reactivity to Fear Signals
Morr, M., Noell, J., Sassin, D., Daniels, J., Philipsen, A., Becker, B., Stoffel‐Wagner, B., Hurlemann, R., & Scheele, D. (2022) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202105336 · Cited by 16
“Loneliness, defined as the discrepancy between desired and actual social connectedness [1], is a growing problem in modern societies and has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic [2-5].”
Background
The Microbiome and Mental Health Across the Lifespan
Dickerson, F., Dilmore, A. H., Godoy‐Vitorino, F., Nguyen, T. T., Paulus, M. P., Pinto‐Tomás, A. A., Moya-Roman, C., Zúñiga-Chaves, I., Severance, E. G., & Jeste, D. V. (2022) · Current topics in behavioral neurosciences · doi:10.1007/7854_2022_384 · Cited by 17
Does Trait Loneliness Predict Rejection of Social Robots?
Li, S., Xu, L., Yu, F., & Peng, K. (2020) · ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) · doi:10.1145/3319502.3374777 · Cited by 20
Behavioral and neuroendocrine consequences of disrupting a long-term monogamous social bond in aging prairie voles
Grippo, A. J., McNeal, N., Normann, M. C., Colburn, W., Dagner, A., & Woodbury, M. (2020) · Stress · doi:10.1080/10253890.2020.1812058 · Cited by 19
“…are at a lower risk of depression, heart disease, and other stress-related pathologies, relative to those with lower levels of social engagement, smaller, or less meaningful networks (Beutel et al., 2019; Cacioppo et al., 2010; Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Kaplan et al., 1988; Steptoe et al., 2004).”
Background
Loneliness dynamics and physical health symptomology among midlife adults in daily life.
Witzel, D. D., Bogart, K. V., Harrington, E. E., Turner, S. G., & Almeida, D. M. (2024) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0001377 · Cited by 22
“Age, gender, education, marital status, race, and health conditions were included in analyses as covariates given theoretical and empirical literature indicating these demographics as correlates of loneliness (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018b; Taylor & Nguyen, 2020).”
Relationship between artificial intelligence tool usage experience and academic stress among college students: Mediating role of loneliness and moderating role of academic self-efficacy
Wang, Y., & Xu, S. (2026) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106220 · Cited by 23
Validation of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in Peruvian old adults: a study based on SEM and IRT multidimensional models
Caycho‐Rodríguez, T., Tomás, J. M., Hontangas, P. M., Ventura‐León, J., Burga-León, A., Barboza-Palomino, M., Reyes-Bossio, M. A., Peña-Calero, B. N., & White, M. (2021) · The Journal of General Psychology · doi:10.1080/00221309.2021.1913398 · Cited by 18
“The prevalence levels and the negative impact on the physical and mental health of older adults highlight loneliness as a public health problem (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Roos, Keating, & Kahl, 2019; Yang et al., 2018).”
Background
Community expectations and anticipated outcomes for crisis support services—Lifeline Australia
Ma, J. S., Batterham, P. J., Kõlves, K., Woodward, A., Bradford, S., Klein, B., Titov, N., Mazzer, K., O’Riordan, M., & Rickwood, D. (2021) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/hsc.13557 · Cited by 16
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Sharp, P., Oliffe, J. L., Bottorff, J. L., Rice, S., Schulenkorf, N., & Caperchione, C. M. (2023) · Men and Masculinities · doi:10.1177/1097184x221149985 · Cited by 16
Neighbourhood Ethnic Density, Local Language Skills, and Loneliness among Older Migrants—A Population-Based Study on Russian Speakers in Finland
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“Recent intervention projects across Europe have addressed loneliness but their effects have been limited due to insufficient understanding of the phenomenon [4,9,10].”
Background
Self-criticism and romantic relationship satisfaction as serial mediators of links between childhood psychological maltreatment and loneliness
Bırni, G., Satıcı, S. A., & Deniz, M. E. (2023) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106112 · Cited by 21
Vulnerability to loneliness among fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder: The role of interpersonal and familial resources
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Psychological interventions for loneliness and social isolation among older adults during medical pandemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Li, M., Rao, W., Su, Y., Sul, Y., Caron, G., D’Arcy, C., Fleury, M., & Meng, X. (2023) · Age and Ageing · doi:10.1093/ageing/afad076 · Cited by 18
Strengthening Social Capital to Address Isolation and Loneliness in Long-Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of Research on Information and Communication Technologies
Beogo, I., Sia, D., Collin, S., Gedeon, A. P., Louismé, M.-C., Ramdé, J., Gagnon, M., & Nguemeleu, E. T. (2023) · JMIR Aging · doi:10.2196/46753 · Cited by 21
What allays loneliness? A fine-grained examination of daily social interactions
Silva, G., Rum, R., Brennan, J., Rottenberg, J. A., & Goodman, F. R. (2023) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075231181709 · Cited by 19
“Loneliness is a global health problem (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
Social isolation and oxytocin antagonism increase emotion-related behaviors and heart rate in female prairie voles
Watanasriyakul, W. T., Scotti, M. L., Carter, C. S., McNeal, N., Colburn, W., Wardwell, J., & Grippo, A. J. (2022) · Autonomic Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2022.102967 · Cited by 14
I feel you: Mixed-methods study of social support of loneliness on twitter
Mejova, Y., & Lu, A. H. (2022) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2022.107389 · Cited by 19
Daily Contacts Under Quarantine amid Limited Spread of COVID-19 in Taiwan
Fu, Y.-C., & Lee, H. (2020) · International Journal of Sociology · doi:10.1080/00207659.2020.1786636 · Cited by 17
A Prescription for Wellness in Early PD: Just What the Doctor Ordered
McDaniels, B., Pontone, G. M., Keener, A. M., & Subramanian, I. (2023) · Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology · doi:10.1177/08919887231164358 · Cited by 15
“Specifically, people with smaller social networks or interpersonal relationships consistently report elevated rates of depression and anxiety.(62) Social prescribing is one novel mechanism for clinicians to facilitate community connections to improve patient health and wellness.”
Background
Opioid Regulation of Social Homeostasis: Connecting Loneliness to Addiction
Løseth, G. E., Eikemo, M., & Leknes, S. (2024) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.11.011 · Cited by 16
“Therefore, social restrictions imposed during the pandemic risked exacerbating 3 other ongoing global epidemics: those of loneliness (8), chronic pain (9), and opioid misuse (10).”
Association Between Loneliness and the Frequency of Using Online Peer Support Groups Among Cancer Patients With Minor Children: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study
Kosugi, K., Nishiguchi, Y., Miura, T., Fujisawa, D., Kawaguchi, T., Izumi, K., Takehana, J., Uehara, Y., Usui, Y., Terada, T., et al. (2020) · Journal of Pain and Symptom Management · doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.035 · Cited by 15
Social isolation enhances cued-reinstatement of sucrose and nicotine seeking, but this is reversed by a return to social housing
Mastrogiovanni, N., Wheeler, A., & Clemens, K. J. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81966-2 · Cited by 21
Loneliness in social relationships: Mapping the nomological network of loneliness with key conceptual domains and theoretical constructs
Anyan, F., & Hjemdal, O. (2021) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075211033035 · Cited by 16
“Loneliness is defined as the discrepancy between desired and actual levels of social relationships (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Perlman & Peplau, 1982).”
Background
Benefits of a psychosocial intervention programme using volunteers for the prevention of loneliness among older women living alone in Spain
Lorente‐Martínez, R., Brotons-Rodes, P., & Maciá, E. S. (2021) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/hsc.13581 · Cited by 17
Exploring the Mechanism of Pathological Gaming in Adolescents: Focused on the Mediation Paths and Latent Group Comparison
Jeon, H. G., Jeong, E. J., Lee, S. J., & Kim, J. A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.756328 · Cited by 17
“Individuals who deeply indulge in loneliness perceive their surroundings as threats, so they react aggressively to others to protect themselves (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
Social isolation in space: An investigation of LUNARK, the first human mission in an Arctic Moon analog habitat
Riva, P., Rusconi, P., Pancani, L., & Chterev, K. (2022) · Acta Astronautica · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.03.007 · Cited by 16
Depression and loneliness may predict work inefficiency among professionally active adults
Mokros, Ł., Świtaj, P., Bieńkowski, P., Święcicki, Ł., & Sienkiewicz‐Jarosz, H. (2022) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s00420-022-01869-1 · Cited by 15
“2017; Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2018).”
Background
Understanding the relationship between loneliness, substance use traits and psychiatric disorders: A genetically informed approach
Martin, E., Schoeler, T., Pingault, J., & Barkhuizen, W. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115218 · Cited by 17
“, isolation), loneliness refers to the subjective, pervasive feeling of isolation (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018).”
Background
Toward reframing brain-social dynamics: current assumptions and future challenges
Faraji, J., & Metz, G. A. S. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1211442 · Cited by 17
“On the other hand, it may be associated with impoverished interaction or even with “sociotoxicity,” typically contaminated with rejection, isolation and loneliness (232).”
Background
Stigma and loneliness among young and middle‐aged stroke survivors: A moderated mediation model of interpersonal sensitivity and resilience
Huang, H., Zhang, L., Dong, W., Tu, L., Tang, H., Liu, S., Chen, H., Xie, N., & Chen, C. (2024) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.13016 · Cited by 17
Association between social integration and loneliness among the female migrant older adults with children: the mediating effect of social support
Xu, J., Liu, G., Li, H., Jiang, X., Zhou, S., Wang, J., Pang, M., Li, S., & Kong, F. (2024) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-023-04569-8 · Cited by 19
“Loneliness has become a common problem among older people worldwide [12].”
Background
Trajectories of social isolation and loneliness and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus across genetic risk score
Chen, Y., Xue, H., Ai, S., Liu, Y., Nie, Y., Ai, Q. Y. H., Zhang, J., & Liang, Y. Y. (2024) · Diabetes & Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2024.101526 · Cited by 15
Prosocial Behavior as an Antidote to Social Disconnection: The Effects of an Acts of Kindness Intervention on Daily Social Contact and Loneliness
Lee, Y. A., Guo, Y., Li, G., & Chen, F. S. (2024) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-024-00742-x · Cited by 16
“Social connection has increasingly been recognized as a public health priority (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2017; World Health Organization, 2021).”
Loneliness is positively associated with populist radical right support
Peterson, D., Rooduijn, M., Hopp, F. R., Schumacher, G., & Bakker, B. N. (2025) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117676 · Cited by 22
Perception of Loneliness in Adolescence: Role of Maladaptive Personality Traits and Trauma-Related Symptomatology
Giordano, F., Calaresi, D., Saladino, V., & Verrastro, V. (2025) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci15010086 · Cited by 19
Loneliness and Optimism among Polish Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediatory Role of Self-Efficacy
Kupcewicz, E., Rachubińska, K., Gaworska‐Krzemińska, A., Andruszkiewicz, A., Kuźmicz, I. E., Kozieł, D., & Grochans, E. (2022) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare10060971 · Cited by 16
“found that 20–48% of the young adults and adolescents in their study reported loneliness, often high in severity [3].”
Background
Loneliness within the Home among International Students in the Private Rental Sector in Sydney and Melbourne
Morris, A., Mitchell, E., Wilson, S., Ramia, G., & Hastings, C. (2021) · Urban Policy and Research · doi:10.1080/08111146.2021.2005017 · Cited by 18
“As discussed, the experience of loneliness is certainly not confined to international students – it is a pervasive social problem (Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2018).”
Background
A Solution for Loneliness in Rural Populations: The Effects of Osekkai Conferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ohta, R., Maiguma, K., Yata, A., & Sano, C. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19095054 · Cited by 14
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in various parts of the world suffered from decreased social interactions, which, in turn, caused multiple health problems [21,22].”
Background
The Relationship between Self-Efficacy, Self-Care Behavior, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in COVID-19: A Path Analysis Model
Delshad, M. H., Pourhaji, F., Pourhaji, F., & Zarmehri, H. A. (2022) · Nurse Media Journal of Nursing · doi:10.14710/nmjn.v12i1.32938 · Cited by 15
Prevalence of Loneliness and Its Association With Suicidality in the General Population: Results From a Nationwide Survey in Korea
Lee, J., Chang, S. M., Hahm, B., Park, J. E., Seong, S. J., Hong, J. P., Jeon, H. J., An, H., & Kim, B. (2023) · Journal of Korean Medical Science · doi:10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e287 · Cited by 14
Role of Acorus calamus in preventing depression, anxiety, and oxidative stress in long-term socially isolated rats
Rai, A. R., Joy, T., Poojari, M. S., Pai, M. M., Massand, A., & Murlimanju, B. V. (2023) · Veterinary World · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2023.1755-1764 · Cited by 14
“lead to alterations in social behavior [4], neurochemi-”
Background
The role of self-compassion in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a group-based trajectory modelling approach
Wollast, R., Preece, D. A., Schmitz, M., Bigot, A., Gross, J. J., & Luminet, O. (2023) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2023.2270201 · Cited by 15
“Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the role of this cognitive and behavioural cycle in perpetuating levels of loneliness, and several evidence-based loneliness interventions are now designed to target and change cognitive biases (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Masi et al., 2011).”
Background
Paranoia: From Passive Social-Threat Perception to Misattunement in Social Interaction
Hajdúk, M., Sasson, N. J., Park, S., & Pinkham, A. E. (2024) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/21677026231218639 · Cited by 16
“If not fulfilled, unmet social needs can have a detrimental effect on mental and physical health (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018), including for individuals who are socially atypical (Mazurek, 2014).”
Loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from five European countries
Rebechi, A., Lepinteur, A., Clark, A. E., Rohde, N., Vögele, C., & D’Ambrosio, C. (2024) · Economics & Human Biology · doi:10.1016/j.ehb.2024.101427 · Cited by 19
“These can directly affect the frequency and proximity of social contact, although it is not uncommon to find that individuals in densely-populated urban areas are lonelier than those in rural and/or low population-density areas (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018; Shovestul et al., 2020).”
Background
Feeling Lonely, Isolated and Depressed. Older Adults’ Feelings in Long-term Term Facilities: A Scoping Review
Sedlackova, K. B., Bártová, A., & Holmerová, I. (2024) · Journal of Population Ageing · doi:10.1007/s12062-024-09463-8 · Cited by 15
“Surviving the Violence, Humiliation, and Loneliness Means Getting High”: Violence, Loneliness, and Health of Female Sex Workers
González, R. P., Picos, A. P., & Gutiérrez, M. D. L. I. (2018) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260518789904 · Cited by 16
Gendered isolation, idealised communities and the role of collective power in West Bengal self-help groups
Dulhunty, A. (2020) · Gender Place & Culture · doi:10.1080/0966369x.2020.1754167 · Cited by 14
“Much has been written about the role of isolation and disempowerment in the Global North where industrialisation has broken down bonds of familiarity within communities (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton 2010; Franklin 2012; Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2018).”
Background
Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Vital Aspects of Holistic Diabetes Care of Older People With Diabetes
Dunning, T. L. (2020) · Diabetes Spectrum · doi:10.2337/ds20-0014 · Cited by 14
Effect of State Loneliness on Robot Anthropomorphism: Potential Edge of Social Robots Compared to Common Nonhumans
Li, S., Yu, F., & Peng, K. (2020) · Journal of Physics Conference Series · doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1631/1/012024 · Cited by 18
“Loneliness has been a social plight that requires attention [4].”
Background
Examining transitions in loneliness for people without and with moderate and severe disabilities
Pagán, R. (2020) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2020.1842519 · Cited by 16
“, rehabilitation professionals), as well as online support are all useful tools to combat the problem of loneliness among people with disabilities [3,29].”
Background
Situating social connectedness in healthy cities: a conceptual primer for research and policy
Sones, M., Firth, C. L., Fuller, D., Holden, M., Kestens, Y., & Winters, M. (2021) · Cities & Health · doi:10.1080/23748834.2021.1926657 · Cited by 17
“One in three people in industrialized countries experiences loneliness (Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2018).”
Background
Loneliness and mental well-being in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Kobos, E., Knoff, B., Dziedzic, B., Maciąg, R., & Idzik, A. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056368 · Cited by 17
Eating Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence: The Influence of Fear of Loneliness and Social Withdrawal
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“Moreover, it has been shown to severely influence individuals’ quality of life [13,14].”
Background
Psychological states of COVID-19 quarantine
Ng, L. L. (2020) · Journal of Primary Health Care · doi:10.1071/hc20030 · Cited by 14
The Liminality of Loneliness: Negotiating Feminist Ethics and Intersectional Affectivity
Christou, A., & Bloor, K. (2021) · Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change · doi:10.20897/jcasc/11120 · Cited by 13
“2006), and a wide range of other (potentially interacting) socio-economic dimensions or life circumstances and experiences (Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018; Beutel et al. 2017; Courtin and Knapp, 2017; Hansen and Slagsvold, 2016; Cacioppo et al. 2010; Beal, 2006).”
Background
Promoting meaningful engagement for residents living with dementia through intergenerational programs: a pilot study
Angelou, K., McDonnell, C., Low, L., & du Toit, S. H. J. (2022) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2022.2098910 · Cited by 13
“Older adults in general also experience a loss of roles and changed living conditions, resulting in a lack of connection, reduced autonomy and poorer health outcomes (Brownie & Horstmanshof, 2011; Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; National Institute on Aging, 2019).”
Background
Connections between and within extended psychosis and autistic phenotypes and social relationships in the general population
Hajdúk, M., Straková, A., Januška, J., Ivančík, V., Dančík, D., Čavojská, N., Valkucakova, V., Heretik, A., Pečeňák, J., Abplanalp, S. J., et al. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.022 · Cited by 16
Measuring loneliness: Psychometric properties of the three-item loneliness scale among community-dwelling adults
Daniel, F., Espírito‐Santo, H., Lemos, L., Guadalupe, S., Barroso, I., Silva, A., & Ferreira, P. L. (2023) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15948 · Cited by 14
“The prevalence values point to a public health problem with deleterious effects attributable to the effects of loneliness itself [39,40].”
Background
Sex‐based differences in the association between loneliness and polypharmacy among older adults in Ontario, Canada
Im, J. H. B., Bronskill, S. E., Strauss, R., Gruneir, A., Guan, J., Boblitz, A., Lu, M., Rochon, P. A., & Savage, R. (2023) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/jgs.18477 · Cited by 14
“Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is increasingly recognized as a public health issue due to its harmful effects, including premature mortality.(1,2) Older adults experience among the highest rates of loneliness compared to other age groups,(3) and more older women report feeling lonely than older men.”
Background
Overwork-induced exploitation of Chinese adults: Social isolation, loneliness as mediating effects on mental health
Gong, M. (2023) · European Review of Applied Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.erap.2022.100866 · Cited by 13
Rhythmic musical activities may strengthen connectivity between brain networks associated with aging-related deficits in timing and executive functions
Colverson, A. J., Barsoum, S., Cohen, R. A., & Williamson, J. B. (2024) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2023.112354 · Cited by 16
“…et al., 2013; Cacioppo et al., 2014; Farajnia et al., 2014; Cacioppo et al., 2015; Hari et al., 2015; Schirmer et al., 2016; Kelly et al., 2017; Cacioppo and Cacioppo, 2018), it may be that music-based activities promote healthy social and cognitive functioning in older adults (Sutcliffe et…”
The effect of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults-the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance
Huang, R., Gong, R., Deng, Q., & Yang-ming, H. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1330617 · Cited by 19
“Cacioppo et al. (3) showed that loneliness can lead to changes in the physiological, psychological, and social state of older adults, seriously affecting the physical and mental health of older adults and reducing their quality of life.”
Background

Authors: Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S.
Affiliations: University of Chicago (US)
Corresponding author: Cacioppo, John T
ORCID: Cacioppo, John T
Cacioppo, Stephanie
Venue: The Lancet
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2018-02
Volume: 391
Issue: 10119
Pages: 426
ISSN: 0099-5355 (ISSN-L)
0140-6736
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30142-9
PMC: PMC6530780
OpenAlex: W2787145468
Cited by: 897
References: 7
Citations by year: 2026: 107 · 2025: 155 · 2024: 134 · 2023: 131 · 2022: 117 · 2021: 126 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 5
FWCI: 67.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: The Lancet (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Aging (R01AG033590)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Keywords: loneliness, social isolation, premature mortality, depression, irritability, self-centeredness, social contagion, socioeconomic factors
MeSH terms: Humans, Loneliness, Public Health, Social Isolation

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