Social Isolation : What Are The Consequences?

Recent studies carried out at Duke University in the United States show that people living in western civilisations are becoming more socially isolated. In The United States alone nearly a quarter of the population have no meaningful social contact whatsoever. This figure has doubled since similar research was carried out in 1985. Over 50% of Americans also reported having no close friends outside of their immediate family.  What has caused this dramatic increase?

In recent years we have all experienced an increase in the amount of time we spend stuck in traffic, sat staring at a computer screen both at home and at work, or plugged into our iPod or similar device. We are working longer hours and eating more convenience food. The extended family has broken down and we are much more likely to be able to live alone – the list goes on and on.

Were we really designed to live this way? If you look back over the history of the human race we used to live in close knit communities. Businesses would hold family days and you were less likely to work outside of your county. People lived and worked together in small communities. In the town where I live the last train crash happened 100 years ago. Local residents went to the train station to offer assistance, and in many cases helped people who had been stranded by giving them a bed to sleep in for the night. Would this happen today?

The truth is we have started to become hermetically sealed in our homes. We are never too far from the TV, the DVD, the computer or our mobile phone. Friendships and relationships have been replaced by screens and gadgets. We text, email or twitter rather than actually engage each other on a richer level. Yet all the while we claim that family and friendship is more important than money, status and technology.  So what are the consequences of this increase in social isolation?

Psychologists believe that increased isolation can lead to the onset of depressive illness and in some cases addiction.  In fact depression is on the increase year-on-year. So what can we do to break this cycle? Make a promise to yourself that from today your friendships and relationships will be your highest priority, and say it with conviction. Remind yourself that having personal and meaningful contact with friends and family can make life richer and more rewarding.