Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the association between social isolation and loneliness, how they relate to depression, and whether these associations are explained by genetic influences.MethodsWe used data from the age-18 wave of the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study, a birth cohort of 1116 same-sex twin pairs born in England and Wales in 1994 and 1995. Participants reported on their levels of social isolation, loneliness and depressive symptoms. We conducted regression analyses to test the differential associations of isolation and loneliness with depression. Using the twin study design, we estimated the proportion of variance in each construct and their covariance that was accounted for by genetic and environmental factors.ResultsSocial isolation and loneliness were moderately correlated (r = 0.39), reflecting the separateness of these constructs, and both were associated with depression. When entered simultaneously in a regression analysis, loneliness was more robustly associated with depression. We observed similar degrees of genetic influence on social isolation (40 %) and loneliness (38 %), and a smaller genetic influence on depressive symptoms (29 %), with the remaining variance accounted for by the non-shared environment. Genetic correlations of 0.65 between isolation and loneliness and 0.63 between loneliness and depression indicated a strong role of genetic influences in the co-occurrence of these phenotypes.ConclusionsSocially isolated young adults do not necessarily experience loneliness. However, those who are lonely are often depressed, partly because the same genes influence loneliness and depression. Interventions should not only aim at increasing social connections but also focus on subjective feelings of loneliness.
Highlights
Social relationships are a fundamental component of human life
Purpose To investigate the association between social isolation and loneliness, how they relate to depression, and whether these associations are explained by genetic influences
Genetic correlations of 0.65 between isolation and loneliness and 0.63 between loneliness and depression indicated a strong role of genetic influences in the co-occurrence of these phenotypes
Summary
Social relationships are a fundamental component of human life. A network of positive social relationships provides a source of support, meaning and guidance which can influence long-term trajectories of health outcomes [1]. The absence of these relationships—social isolation—is a situation that many people experience at some point in their lives, with potential implications for their health and well-being [2, 3]. We examined the separateness of social isolation and loneliness, and their differential associations with depressive symptoms. Using twin data, we investigated the underlying genetic and environmental influences that may account for some of these associations
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