It explains why some still feel lonely in a room full of friends
Loneliness can harm one’s well-being and is often accompanied by feelings of not being understood by others. But what contributes to these feelings in lonely individuals? A recent study used functional MRI to measure mental processing in 66 first-year university students. The study investigated if lonely individuals process the world in unique ways. [i]
Researchers found evidence of idiosyncrasy. For example, lonely individuals showed significantly different neural responses than their peers. These responses were in regions of the default-mode network related to shared perspectives and subjective understanding. [i]
The findings imply that having friends with different worldviews can increase the risk of loneliness. This indicates that even if we are friends with people with different views, it may still lead to loneliness. [i]
Humans have a fundamental need to belong and connect socially; loneliness arises when this need is unmet. In addition, loneliness has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including an increased mortality risk. [ii]
Feeling understood is essential for social connection. Not feeling understood can lead to negative feelings. Self-reported data suggest that loneliness is linked to not feeling understood by others. However, it is uncertain if lonely people view the world differently than others. This could be a factor in why they feel disconnected. [ii]
The study used neuroimaging to test if lonely people had different brain reactions to real-world stimuli. This could explain why they felt isolated, as there was no shared understanding. [iii]
Results showed that lonely individuals respond differently to their peers. This implies that they uniquely interpret the world. This finding has important implications for understanding loneliness and may help develop interventions to alleviate feelings of social disconnection. [iii]
The results of this study shed light on the neural basis of loneliness and how it affects individuals. Lonely individuals may process naturalistic stimuli differently from others. This could be a factor in their feelings of isolation. The findings also highlight the importance of feeling understood by others in achieving social connection and well-being. [iv]
These results have important implications for interventions aimed at reducing loneliness. We can understand loneliness better by looking at the neural processes involved. This understanding can help us create targeted interventions to help people feel more connected. This may include interventions focusing on improving social skills, increasing social support, or changing how individuals perceive social situations. [iv]
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex nature of loneliness and its impact on mental well-being. As a result, we can better understand the causes of loneliness by studying this topic. This knowledge can then be used to develop interventions to support those with social disconnection. [v]
References
[i] Elisa C. Baek,Lonely Individuals Process the World in Idiosyncratic Ways(Apr. 7, 2023)
[ii] Baumeister R. F., Leary M. R. (1995).The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation.Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.
[iii] Elisa C. Baek,Lonely Individuals Process the World in Idiosyncratic Ways(Apr. 7, 2023)
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[v]Id.
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