Social isolation
Psychologists and sociologists use the term social isolation to refer to a person’s lack of meaningful social contacts and relationships with others, particularly regarding the lack of having others that one can confide in. If prolonged, social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and despair and have negative impacts on one’s mental and physical well-being. Social isolation is not necessarily the same as being a hermit or a loner; the primary difference between the two is that social isolation and loneliness are involuntary while hermits and loners tend to intentionally limit their exposure to and contact with others. The topic of social isolation and its ramifications in US society has generated a considerable volume of media attention and debate among scholars.
Socially isolated people may lack friends or close work colleagues, and may often feel lonely, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from low self-esteem.
García, J. (2024). Social isolation. EBSCO Research Starters. Retrieved from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/social-isolation.
University of Cambridge, Staff Counselling Centre. (n.d.). Loneliness & social isolation. Retrieved from: https://staff.counselling.cam.ac.uk/loneliness-social-isolation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024, May 15). Health effects of social isolation and loneliness. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html.