Introduction
Lack of social contact and loneliness can lead to a significant increase in risks to human health. A lack of communication can provoke the development of depression and increase the likelihood of a second stroke or heart attack by 40%, the American Heart Association said in a statement based on an analysis of scientific knowledge accumulated over the past decades (Cené et al. 6). It is noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the problem of loneliness and social isolation not only for the elderly but also for young people. Doctors emphasize the need to create unique programs to help people from risk groups combat loneliness’s negative consequences.
Discussion
Social isolation and its impact on people are essential to study in modern realities. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictive measures related to social isolation have acutely raised the question of its impact. It is still not fully understood how the consequences of social restrictions affect a person. Some studies show that isolation can affect all spheres of human activity, including health and education. Other studies show that if there is an impact, it is insignificant and affects only the social sphere. The essential question of this research proposal aims to study how social isolation affects a person. Therefore, the thesis of the research is that social isolation affects all areas of a person’s life mentally and physically.
Social isolation is defined as a relatively small number of personal social contacts. It is important to note that social isolation and loneliness are different. People can lead an isolated lifestyle and not feel lonely. Conversely, people with a lot of social contacts can still experience loneliness. Hwang et al. suggested that life changes, such as retirement or the loss of a spouse, may also lead to a decrease in interactions and social ties in older people (Hwang et al. 1218). However, data from another study showed that young people aged 18 to 22 consider themselves the loneliest generation (Hwang et al. 1218). Even though they spend more time on social networks, they are less involved in real life. Evans et al. highlight the significance of realizing that loneliness and social isolation are independent processes and affect individuals’ lives and health in distinct manners. Isolation is a hurtful feeling of alienation, while social isolation is physical seclusion from other individuals or living a life of solitude. Social exclusion is an objective determinant, while loneliness is subjective (Evans et al. 134). Losing a sense of connection and community changes a person’s perception of the world.
Research by Cené et al. conducted over four decades has revealed that loneliness and social exclusion are connected with adverse health effects (8). There is convincing evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase the risk of premature death, and the magnitude of the risk exceeds the value of many primary health indicators (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 198). Mental and physical health are interrelated—the adverse health effects of social isolation range from insomnia to decreased immune function. Loneliness is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide. However, the links between social isolation and serious illnesses are not fully understood.
Conclusion
Hence, it has been confirmed that social isolation significantly affects all spheres of human life. This topic needs to be examined in order to determine how to reduce the consequences of these effects on the individual. It would be possible to conduct interviews with psychologists or employees of medical centers to do this. Moreover, it is also possible to get acquainted with the recommendations given by WHO.
Works Cited
Cené, Crystal W., et al. “Effects of Objective and Perceived Social Isolation on Cardiovascular and Brain Health: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association.” Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 11, no. 16, 2022, pp. 1-13. Web.
Evans, Isobel EM, et al. “Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in Later Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Alzheimer’s disease, vol. 70 no. 1, 2019, pp. 119-144. Web.
Hwang, Tzung-Jeng, et al. “Loneliness and Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” International Psychogeriatrics, vol. 32 no. 10, 2020, pp. 1217-1220. Web.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. National Academies Press, 2020.