Page 77 - Javanan Magazine Issue #1918

PSYCHOLOGICAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVES ISSUE No. 1918
PERSPECTIVES
ISSUE No. 1856
JAVANAN
JAVANAN
Dr. Alan A.
Modarressi LONELINESS REVISITED
Clinical and
Neuro-Psychologyst
Why More People Report Feeling Lonely

our data found loneliness decreased United States was born between 1946 relationships and to reduce loneliness.
The issue of loneliness affects from age 50 to about the mid-70s. and 1964 and totals about 75 million A sense of lack of autonomy can play
people of all generations and all walks At that point, however, prior stud- people. The oldest boomers are cur- greatly into feelings of loneliness.
of life. Pandemic and subsequent ies show that resilience to loneliness rently 73, the age in which research
social distancing as well as anxiety begins to decline. Loneliness peaks shows levels of loneliness begin to rise. That is why many psychologists
over COVID-19 has increased aso- as people age into their 80s and 90s, recommend teaching the elderly au-
cial behaviors and have decreased or what's called the "oldest-old." "That means the total number of tonomy and self-reliance. In fact,
the socialization opportunities for many adult children who push their
people. The popular belief used to be elderly parents into a community or
that loneliness impacts the elderly the nursing home facility against their
most. However, according to a recent wishes, wonder if that might not be
report by the American Psychological a disservice at times but rather help
Association the baby boomers (Those them learn to become self-sufficient.
presently between 55 and 75) are not
more lonely than prior generations. Other studies reveal the grow-
ing prevalence of loneliness among
young people under age 25. More
However, their two studies also
show that as they reach their 80s and studies show increasing social me-
dia use correlates with rise in mil-
90s, they tend to feel lonelier. One lennial depression. Millennials,
reason is the loss of close friends and those borne between 1981 to 1996,
loved ones. At the same time, stud- also show rising trend of loneli-
ies show that being happy and taking ness. The study authors believe that
good care of yourself will help you there's mounting evidence that we
live longer. But that does not mean need to be worried about younger
they will not feel lonely in the future. adults being lonely, and not just in
this country, or maybe even lone-
So, it is true that more older people lier than they have been in the past.
appear to feel lonely these days. But
part of the reason is that society is As we age many of us learn to
aging as the baby-boomers are grow- reach out and increase our social
ing older. And as they age, the stud- connections and establish mean-
ies show, the younger generations ingful relationships that help pro-
also struggle with feelings of isola- tect us against loneliness and de-
tion. The study’s lead author, Louise pression. That is why loneliness
Hawkley, at the University of Chi- levels peak in young adulthood
cago indicates "While the data show and then they decline after that.
we don't need to worry at this point
at least, that our older adults are suf- Knowing that loneliness is reach-
fering loneliness at rates higher than ing epidemic levels should be a cause
they have been suffering in the past, for us to reach out and connect to
the concern about loneliness is real. It those who need our attention. Paying
has real consequences for health, for attention to those who may be feel-
wellbeing, for cognition. So, we can't older adults who are lonely may in- ing lonely. We may find them amongst
ignore it. We just need to get smarter "It isn't until the losses begin to crease once the baby boomers reach our neighbors, our friends, family,
about how we deal with loneliness." mount in much older age -- the loss their late 70s and 80s," Hawkley said. or strangers that we often see in our
of health and mobility, the deaths of To be happy one needs to feel daily lives. Like those who have few
The author adds "Headlines have spouses, family and friends -- that peo- empowered and to have a sense of friends, no visitors, or the ones who
said there's been an uptick in loneli- ple begin to be unable to bounce back control and mastery over one’s life. feel invisible and abandoned or a par-
ness, likely because research shows and loneliness spikes," Hawkley said. Studies show that older adults today ent who feel overwhelmed and taken
more people are not married, aren't need to develop problem-solving and for granted. We can make a difference
civically or socially involved and are The baby boomer population in the goal-setting skills to sustain satisfying in people’s lives. We actually can.
living alone," Hawkley said. "But

DANESH FOROUGHI, PH.D. Alan Modarressi, PhD, QME
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY13680 Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Licensed Marriage, Family & Child Psychotherapist, MFC23455 Qualified Medical Evaluator
Certified National Board of Addiction Examiners #4974 Certified Psychophsychologist
Tel: (310) 940-3642 Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management

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