Implications for mental health
These findings highlight a possible connection between loneliness and increased vigilance towards threats. An evolutionary mechanism, according to researchers, that in the past would have guaranteed survival: being alone could increase the risk of danger, and therefore the need to be more attentive to the surrounding environment. However, in the modern era, this increased sensitivity can become a risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders and other conditions related to mental health.
Chronic loneliness has been linked in previous research to an exaggerated readiness for threats, which may explain why adolescents who experience frequent periods of isolation are particularly special lead vulnerable to anxiety disorders. Data also suggests that anxiety among young people is on the rise globally: studies conducted since 2020 show that about 20% of adolescents suffer from anxiety disorders, a significant increase compared to the previous decade.
Study co-author Dr. Livia Tomova noted that the need for social interaction is especially crucial during adolescence, a time when the brain undergoes major changes. “Loneliness among adolescents has nearly doubled in recent years,” Tomova said, noting that isolation during this stage of life could have long-term effects on mental health.
The Cambridge study, although limited to a small sample, highlights a key point: the need for “real” social interactions cannot be completely replaced by virtual connections. Although social media and online chats can temporarily alleviate feelings of loneliness, they do not seem to be able to influence the deeper mechanisms that regulate the response to threats and stress.