Loneliness has been described as a chronic disease with no redeeming features. But it is very important for the survival of our species. It contributes to our humanity. |
Lonely people differ from non-lonely individuals in their tendency to perceive stressful circumstances as threatening rather than challenging, and to passively cope with stress by failing to solicit instrumental and emotional support and by withdrawing from stress rather than by actively coping and attempting to problem solve. |
Our results indicate loneliness is not a personality weakness. Quite the contrary, it is just part of the genetic variation that we find in humans. |
Part of living a healthy life is paying attention to friends and family. |
The factors that we find predicting loneliness are the factors that lead to a disruption of your social relationships. |
While we haven't conclusively proven why this happens, the pieces are starting to fall into place. |