Facets of loneliness
Recently, the issue of loneliness has become a greater focus of politics and society. Even if loneliness itself is not a disease, it can cause the development or worsening of various mental and physical illnesses. Thus, loneliness is increasingly seen as a challenge for society as a whole
When researchers use “Living in Germany” to determine how lonely people are, they look at three subjectively perceived facets of loneliness: being alone, isolation, and exclusion. However, these facets vary: for example, 56% of people recently reported feeling alone; only 20% said they felt isolated, and 28% said they felt excluded.
Researchers have now investigated whether there are regional differences within Germany when it comes to the prevalence of loneliness characteristics. According to the findings, loneliness is reported particularly strongly by people from the west and south of Germany. At the same time, loneliness is a feeling that, according to the study, is felt particularly strongly by women.
Men with low incomes have the highest risk of loneliness. Such evaluations help to combat loneliness effectively, for example by targeting risk groups and raising awareness among doctors and healthcare staff.
Further information
ZEIT Online: Menschen mit geringem Einkommen sind häufiger einsam (in German only)