Childhood loneliness increases risk of dementia, study finds
Study confirms links between loneliness and cognitive decline
- A new study indicates that people who lacked close friendships or experienced loneliness before the age of 17 are more prone to developing dementia in later life.
- Professor Andrea Wigfield from Sheffield Hallam University said that this finding is consistent with known links between adult loneliness and cognitive decline.
- The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, defined childhood loneliness as frequent self-reported absence of friendships.
- Current trends show that nearly half of Gen Z in the UK report feelings of loneliness, with young adults aged 18-24 being particularly affected.
- Experts suggest that public health initiatives to prevent and reduce loneliness should begin in early life to address its long-term impact on cognitive health.