Social Connectedness Across the Psychosis Spectrum: Current Issues and Future Directions for Interventions in Loneliness

Loneliness, sometimes referred to as “perceived social isolation,” is defined as a subjective experience of social isolation. Loneliness has been shown to be related more to the quality of social relationships than to the quantity, and is typically characterized by feelings of social disconnection (e.g., being misunderstood by others). It occurs when there is a discrepancy between desired and actual amounts of social interaction. Humans are a social species and have a fundamental need to belong. Feelings of loneliness have been perceived to be early warning signals of potential threats to psychological health (akin to physical pain in physical health problems). Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of various health conditions (e.g., increased inflammation, decreased immunity) and can occur in transient and chronic forms across the lifespan.