Health: Study: Young people in particular suffer greatly from loneliness

2023-11-24 05:10:06

Health study: Young people in particular suffer greatly from loneliness

In Germany, loneliness has increased sharply during the pandemic. photo

© Paul Zinken/dpa

In Germany, loneliness has increased sharply during the pandemic, especially among young people. Why? What are the risk factors and how can you counteract them? A study should provide information.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst and loneliness researcher Maike Luhmann will present a study on Friday Loneliness among young people. According to previous studies, the corona pandemic has left a clear mark on feelings of loneliness in the population, especially among young people. In the analysis now commissioned by the NRW State Chancellery, the focus is on teenagers and young adults. It should also address risk and protective factors and the question of how loneliness can be effectively managed.

According to scientific findings, long-term, chronic loneliness can also lead to physical and mental illnesses. CDU politician Wüst told the German Press Agency: “Loneliness is the new social issue of our time. It not only has a negative impact on the lives of those affected. Loneliness also challenges our health and social system and damages social cohesion.”

According to the head of government, politicians must deal with the phenomenon at all levels of government – from federal to state to local authorities. “The topic belongs in the middle of society. We have to take it out of the taboo zone.” For a long time, the focus was on loneliness among older people, but the data for younger people is still quite thin.

The new study commissioned by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Chancellery is to be presented at midday (12.30 p.m.) in Berlin and the topic will then be discussed in greater depth in a discussion. In addition to the Bochum researcher Luhmann, who also advises the federal government, the psychologist and podcaster Franca Cerutti and the comedian Maxi Gstettenbauer want to take part. A year ago he wrote a personal book about depression and loneliness.

dpa