Feelings of Loneliness Appear to Be Partially Down to Your Genes

Loneliness is a universal human experience. It can strike during a crowded party or in the solitude of an empty room, often without warning.

While we often attribute these feelings to our circumstances—lack of friends, distance from loved ones, or life changes—new research suggests that our predisposition to loneliness may run deeper than we think.

A groundbreaking study of over 10,000 participants has uncovered a surprising insight: loneliness might be partially hereditary.

Yes, your genes could play a role in how likely you are to feel isolated, even in the same social situation as someone else.

Led by psychiatrist Abraham Palmer from the University of California, San Diego, the study found that approximately 14 to 27 percent of the risk of lifetime loneliness could be attributed to genetic factors.

While environmental influences such as your social surroundings and life events carry more weight, this genetic link sheds new light on why some people feel lonelier than others.

Palmer explains, “For two people with the same number of close friends and family, one might see their social structure as adequate while the other doesn’t.

That’s what we mean by ‘genetic predisposition to loneliness.’”

The implications are vast. Loneliness is more than just an emotional state; it’s a public health concern.

Chronic loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of depression, heart disease, and even early death.

If loneliness has genetic roots, understanding those roots might help scientists develop more targeted interventions to combat it.

Loneliness Is Not Just Environmental

For decades, the dominant narrative has been that loneliness is purely situational—a product of your environment, relationships, and external circumstances.

While these factors undeniably play a significant role, the study’s findings challenge this assumption.

The researchers analyzed data from a longitudinal health study in the U.S. involving participants aged 50 and older.

Instead of directly asking participants if they felt lonely—a question many people might avoid answering—they used indirect indicators.

Questions like “How often do you feel that you lack companionship?” or “How often do you feel left out?” helped gauge participants’ experiences of loneliness without the stigma.

The results revealed an undeniable link between genetics and loneliness, albeit smaller than previous estimates.

The study also highlighted connections between a genetic risk for loneliness and traits like neuroticism and depressive symptoms, further emphasizing that loneliness isn’t just about external factors—it’s deeply tied to our internal biology.

This raises a crucial question: Could loneliness be an innate, biological alarm system?

Palmer and his team propose that loneliness might function as a survival mechanism, a way for our bodies to signal when we’re not getting enough social interaction.

In the same way hunger alerts us to our need for food, loneliness could be nudging us to seek the companionship our ancestors relied on for survival.

What Makes This Study Different?

The results of this research diverge from previous studies, which found a higher genetic association with loneliness.

The key difference lies in methodology.

Earlier studies relied on a technique called the chip heritability method, which examines common genetic variations while excluding rarer ones.

This newer study, however, used a genome-wide association approach.

By analyzing the full genetic makeup of participants, the researchers obtained a more nuanced understanding of how genetics influence loneliness.

Another factor could be the study’s sample: all participants were based in the U.S. Cultural and societal differences likely influence feelings of loneliness, and narrowing the focus to one country might have produced different results compared to earlier international studies.

The researchers acknowledge that there’s much more to uncover.

While they’ve demonstrated that genetics play a role, identifying the specific genes involved remains a challenge for future studies.

Why Does This Matter?

Loneliness isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it’s a major public health issue. Studies have linked loneliness to a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.

It’s also a significant predictor of depression and anxiety, with chronic loneliness leading to higher mortality rates.

If loneliness is partly genetic, it changes how we approach it as a society.

Rather than solely focusing on external interventions like social programs or community-building efforts, there’s potential to explore biological solutions.

For instance, understanding the genetic underpinnings of loneliness could help scientists develop medications or therapies to target these predispositions.

Additionally, recognizing that some people are biologically more prone to loneliness could inform personalized approaches to mental health care.

But it’s not all about genetics. As Palmer points out, “There will always be variability in how individuals respond to their environment.

Genetics may predispose you to feel lonelier, but your circumstances and actions also play a significant role.”

Breaking the Cycle

So, what can we do with this information?

The study isn’t a call to throw up our hands and blame loneliness on genetics.

Instead, it’s an invitation to understand this complex emotion more deeply and address it on multiple fronts.

Acknowledge the Role of Genetics: For those who struggle with loneliness, recognizing that it might have a genetic component can be empowering. It’s not a personal failing or a lack of effort—it’s part of who you are.
Foster Meaningful Connections: While genetics might influence how lonely you feel, nurturing deep, genuine relationships can help mitigate these effects. Quality often matters more than quantity when it comes to social bonds.
Invest in Mental Health Resources: With loneliness closely linked to depression and neuroticism, addressing these underlying issues could alleviate feelings of isolation.
Encourage Research and Innovation: As scientists continue to study the genetic aspects of loneliness, their findings could pave the way for new treatments and interventions.