Social connectedness is fundamental to a healthy, happy life. Conversely, a lack of satisfying social relationships can produce feelings of loneliness, which is in turn associated with premature mortality, physiological deterioration, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and low levels of life satisfaction. This presentation defines social isolation and loneliness, describes how each is measured, and reviews research on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of unsatisfactory social relationships. The presentation ends with examples of strategies that have been used to prevent or reduce loneliness, along with basic principles that increase the probability of achieving and maintaining a sense of social connectedness throughout life.

Louise Hawkley, PhD, leads research and analyses at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) that centers on identification of factors that increase risk for loneliness, and the types of interventions that offer some benefit to lonely people. Dr. Hawkley’s publications include more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She is a co-investigator on the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, and a member of both the Gerontological Society of America and the American Society on Aging.