Loneliness

The internet, social media platforms, new digital technologies—for all their promise of greater interconnectivity and social connection, loneliness remains an issue for millions of individuals around the world. Recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between loneliness and an increased risk of mental illness, as well as a 45% increased risk of death.

Offering a comprehensive review of the current literature, Loneliness: Science and Practice aims to construct a translational framework for recognizing and addressing loneliness in the clinical context. With clinical vignettes that help ground the information in real-world applicability, this guide presents the theoretical foundations of loneliness; discusses the epidemiology of loneliness throughout the life cycle; examines loneliness in specific populations, including individuals with mental illnesses and those from marginalized populations; analyzes the psychosocial and biological mechanisms of loneliness; and describes research- and community-based interventions.

Key points and extensive lists of suggested readings make this volume both an indispensable everyday resource and an invitation for further study as readers recognize and address loneliness in the varied communities they serve.