Asrin Yenihayat and colleagues at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan have published “Unpacking Loneliness in Europe: Psychosocial and Sociodemographic Correlates Across Regions” in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
Using data from the EU Loneliness Survey, the team ran a path analysis of how sociodemographic factors, perceived health, several kinds of social connection, and loneliness relate to each other. They also tested whether these links differ between Northern, Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe.
Face-to-face contact, digital contact, and perceived social support were linked to less loneliness. Social media use was linked to more loneliness in all regions, most strongly in Northern Europe. Digital contact reduced loneliness in Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe, but not in Northern Europe.
Some protective resources seem to work everywhere, while the benefits of connection and the risks of social media depend on regional context.
Read the paper on Sage Journals (subscription required)
