The Problem

Loneliness is becoming a normal part of young adulthood.

Many people are moving cities, working remotely, and spending their social energy online... often missing out on building the everyday, low-stakes connections that make life feel grounded. Even when we want connection, starting conversations can feel awkward, risky, or exhausting.

Research shows this isn’t just a feeling. Loneliness among young adults has steadily increased over the past several decades (Buecker et al., 2021), and it’s linked to poorer mental and physical health, disrupted sleep, and increased risk of early mortality (Leigh-Hunt et al., 2017; Matthews et al., 2017).

For introverted, neurodivergent, and socially anxious people, the barriers are even higher. Traits like shyness, autistic characteristics, and social anxiety are associated with greater social isolation, and not because connection matters any less (Jobe & White, 2007; Teo et al., 2013).

Importantly, social connection remains deeply protective. Studies consistently show that friendships and perceived social support are linked to higher self-esteem, lower depression and anxiety, and greater overall well-being in both autistic and non-autistic people (Mazurek, 2014; Lasgaard et al., 2010).

The problem isn’t that people don’t want connection.
It’s that we’ve made it hard to practice.

References

Buecker, S., Maes, M., Denissen, J. J., & Luhmann, M. (2020). Loneliness and the Big Five personality traits: A meta–analysis. European Journal of Personality, 34(1), 8-28.

Buecker, S., Mund, M., Chwastek, S., Sostmann, M., & Luhmann, M. (2021). Is loneliness in emerging adults increasing over time? A preregistered cross-temporal meta-analysis and systematic review. Psychological Bulletin, 147(8), 787.

Card, K. G., & Skakoon-Sparling, S. (2023). Are social support, loneliness, and social connection differentially associated with happiness across levels of introversion-extraversion?. Health Psychology Open, 10(1), 20551029231184034.

Jobe, L. E., & White, S. W. (2007). Loneliness, social relationships, and a broader autism phenotype in college students. Personality and individual differences, 42(8), 1479-1489.

Lasgaard, M., Nielsen, A., Eriksen, M. E., & Goossens, L. (2010). Loneliness and social support in adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 40(2), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0851-z

Leigh-Hunt, N., Bagguley, D., Bash, K., Turner, V., Turnbull, S., Valtorta, N., & Caan, W. (2017). An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. Public health, 152, 157-171.

Matthews, T., Danese, A., Gregory, A. M., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Arseneault, L. (2017). Sleeping with one eye open: loneliness and sleep quality in young adults. Psychological Medicine, 47(12), 2177–2186. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000629

Mazurek, M. O. (2014). Loneliness, friendship, and well-being in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 18(3), 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361312474121

Oren-Yagoda, R., Melamud-Ganani, I., & Aderka, I. M. (2022). All by myself: Loneliness in social anxiety disorder. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 131(1), 4.

Teo, A. R., Lerrigo, R., & Rogers, M. A. (2013). The role of social isolation in social anxiety disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of anxiety disorders, 27(4), 353-364.

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