The study, led by researchers from Arizona State University, analyzed data from ongoing longitudinal surveys conducted in the United States and 13 European countries between 2002 and 2020. The survey included more than 53,000 participants from three different generations (the Silent Generation, baby boomers, and Generation X). The results showed that middle-aged adults in the U.S. reported significantly higher levels of loneliness compared to their European peers, with the gap widening among younger generations.
Loneliness in the U.S. and Europe
The researchers found that middle-aged adults in the U.S. reported significantly higher levels of loneliness compared to their European counterparts. This trend was particularly pronounced among younger generations, with the gap in loneliness levels widening across the different age cohorts. The study highlights the need for a better understanding of the factors contributing to this disparity, as well as the development of more effective interventions to address the issue of loneliness, especially in the U.S.