While some people may enjoy the solitude of living alone, new research shows adults who live by themselves are more likely to be depressed than those who live with others.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.4% of adults living alone reported feelings of depression, compared with 4.1% of adults living with others.
The study, which uses data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey, shows roughly 16% of adults in the United States live alone -- approximately 37.9 million people.
"People living alone may be at greater risk of social isolation and loneliness, which have been linked to higher mortality risk and adverse health outcomes, including mental health outcomes, compared with people living with a spouse or partner," Dr. Laryssa Mykyta wrote in the study.
Those who live alone and receive little or no social and emotional support were almost twice as likely to report feelings of depression compared to people who live with others who also had little or no support (19.6% vs. 11.6%), according to the study. On the other hand, people who have support showed no difference in feelings of depression regardless if they live alone or with others.
"Social and emotional support has been shown to be protective of health and this finding suggests that additional studies could examine the relationship between social and emotional support, living alone, and health outcomes," said Mykyta.
Of course, just because someone lives alone doesn't mean they will experience depression. The study notes that although they're at a higher risk of social isolation, people who live alone may be actively engaged in their work or communities and may have access to social networks and social and emotional support that can protect their mental health. Some people may also actively choose to live alone and may not experience negative effects on their physical and mental health.
The effects of isolation and loneliness have been getting more attention from health experts since the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to distance themselves from others. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to increased risk for heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, addiction, suicide and self-harm, dementia and earlier death, according to the CDC.