We already know the results though: people who have strong family ties and closer and enduring friendships and sense of community live longer healthier lives than their lonely counterparts
I've often wondered whether, in the absence of any action to correct the issue, it's better to promote this conclusion (which feels a little bit like loneliness-shaming) or to tell less social people that being alone is OK and doesn't mean you're less of a person.
Appreciating solitude is one thing. Being lonely is another. Telling people loneliness is "OK, and doesn't mean you're less of a person" isn't going to make it feel any better to be lonely. It's not going to ameliorate the way in which, lacking the same social framework as everyone else you see, you really do feel like somewhat less of a person.
Well, it isn't for me anyway. Anecdote blah blah whatever, but I can't really imagine that I'm such an outlier in this regard, at least. If anything, as a middle-aged and rather tired divorcé, I don't really have it so bad - I can't imagine being twenty and having the same problem. "Hell" is the word that comes to mind.
I've often wondered whether, in the absence of any action to correct the issue, it's better to promote this conclusion (which feels a little bit like loneliness-shaming) or to tell less social people that being alone is OK and doesn't mean you're less of a person.