Men experiencing both loneliness and social isolation were estimated to have nearly six fewer years free from depression and anxiety, according to a Tulane University study published in August.
Researchers analyzed 277,489 UK Biobank participants aged 40 to 69 who were initially free from seven major illnesses. At age 50, men experiencing both conditions were estimated to have 5.8 fewer years free from depression and anxiety than men experiencing neither. The difference among women was 3.7 years.
The study also identified fewer years free from major physical diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The estimated gap was 1.7 years for men and 2.4 years for women.
“Overall, the study found that social isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on disease-free life expectancy,” said Tulane professor Lu Qi.
“This includes both physical and mental disease.”
Researchers defined social isolation as limited contact with others and loneliness as dissatisfaction with personal relationships. Healthier lifestyles were associated with a narrower health gap linked to social isolation, but researchers found no statistically significant corresponding association for loneliness.
Loneliness was widespread among Filipinos surveyed in a separate international report. A 2023 Gallup-Meta report found that 59% of Filipino men and 56% of Filipino women reported feeling very or fairly lonely, compared with 24% of each sex globally.
Among 142 countries surveyed, the Philippines had the second-highest reported loneliness among men and the highest among women. The report also found that 80% of Philippine respondents felt very or fairly socially connected, while 57% reported loneliness overall.
These were separate survey measures and do not establish that the same respondents reported both experiences. The Tulane findings concern estimated years lived free from disease, not total lifespan.
