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Social isolation: An underappreciated determinant of physical health

Holt-Lunstad, J; Steptoe, A; (2022) Social isolation: An underappreciated determinant of physical health. Current Opinion in Psychology , 43 pp. 232-237. 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.012. Green open access

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Abstract

While a sizable body of research demonstrates the associations between social connection and health, much of the recent focus in the broader public and to some extent among academics has been on loneliness, with more objective/structural aspects often assumed to be proxies for more influential relationship factors such as relationship functions and quality. However, evidence suggests the actual presence of others (proximity and regular contact) is essential, and many studies document these structural indicators have just as powerful and, in some cases, more potent effects on indicators of health and well-being. This paper summarizes the evidence on social isolation and health and provides a framework for why social isolation may be a powerful predictor of health and mortality.

Type: Article
Title: Social isolation: An underappreciated determinant of physical health
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.012
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.012
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Social isolation, Social connection, Physical health, Mortality, Morbidity
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10132877
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