India might be in contention for being the most populated country in the world, yet its people seem to be suffering from loneliness, ironically. The irony does not end there; this is also the era of social media meant to keep us socially connected with people from even the opposite ends of the globe, yet has birthed more lonely people than any other age. Gen Z has been termed the ‘loneliest generation’ in new studies.
Loneliness seems to be on the steady rise in recent times, with multiple factors aggravating the situation. The American Psychological Association highlights that the pandemic years have solidified loneliness as a pervasive aspect of daily life. This has far-reaching consequences for individuals, affecting their long-term mental and physical health, longevity, and overall well-being. Additionally, factors such as wars, climate change, and social inequality have further intensified this “silent” threat.
Why is loneliness a public health concern?
Loneliness has been identified as a public health concern, with the WHO launching a commission to foster social connection.
WHO states that social isolation and not having enough social connections are widely prevalent in current times. Moreover, the issue is not restricted to just the older populace but is dispersed among all age groups. The actual figures of people who are lonely are unavailable due to a lack of research in this arena. WHO claims that one in four older adults is lonely while 5-15% of adolescents also experience isolation. These figures, WHO believes, might be a gross underestimation of the actual values.
Furthermore, according to WHO, loneliness and social isolation can cause early death, more so than even better-known causes like smoking, drinking, or a sedentary lifestyle. It can seriously impact our mental health and lead us to develop physical symptoms as well. “High rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and well-being. People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide, and more,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “
Can loneliness be positive?
It is also important to note that not all loneliness is bad; psychologists have also described the state of “positive loneliness” when the individual in question takes time to work on self-improvement and positive self-development. The state of loneliness in itself is not harmful; instead, it is when social isolation is accompanied by feelings of sadness, despair, or emptiness that it mandates concern.
Loneliness Epidemic in India
In the context of India, the issue is an understudied and inadequately acknowledged concern. Despite being a collectivistic society with over 1.4 billion people, loneliness is not receiving the targeted attention it requires as a public health and social issue. Clinical psychologist Nidhi Thakore emphasizes the urgent need to address it in India as a structural problem.
Examining loneliness data in India before and after the pandemic reveals a complex picture. A 2004 study by the National Sample Survey Office identified 49.1 lakh people experiencing social isolation, with later studies in 2012, 2017, and 2017-18 revealing varying prevalence rates among different age groups. In 2017, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies conducted a study involving 6,000 individuals aged 15–34 across 19 states in India. The findings revealed that 12% of the country’s youth reported experiencing frequent depression, while 8% felt lonely on a regular basis.
Additionally, from 2017 to 2018, the inaugural phase of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India investigated a substantial sample size of approximately 72,000 individuals from 35 states and union territories.
The results showed that 20.5% of adults aged 45 years and older reported experiencing moderate loneliness, with 13.3% indicating severe cases. This study marked a significant revelation, emphasizing that the elderly population faces notable social well-being challenges that warrant attention, as stated by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), during a function earlier in the same year.
Loneliness in India and the West
According to the study titled “Loneliness in India: Recognizing the Role of History, Technology, & Culture” by Kristine Gloria, loneliness is different in India compared to the U.S. and the UK. India’s diversity, from its history to languages and urban-rural differences, leads to various ideas about the issue in the culture. Unlike in the West, India sees loneliness as something normal that can be managed, not cured. Being alone is considered a luxury for the rich.
Despite these differences, there are also similarities. People in India, like in the U.S. and the UK, worry about social media and how it might be linked to issues like depression. However, just like in the West, there is no solid proof that social media causes loneliness in India.
People also agree that involving different groups, investing more, and working together in different fields are crucial to helping with loneliness. The big concern shared by many is making sure everyone has fair access to digital tools and help. Even though many in India use digital technology, it has limits, especially when it comes to mental health. The main goal is to make sure digital tools do not make it harder for people to get help and connect with others fairly.
She concludes that “The goal is not to cure loneliness. Instead, it is to help one navigate the experience… The key is to safeguard against building a digital environment that exacerbates barriers to access, information, and equitable social connection.”
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