More than just a feeling: The relationship between loneliness and health

The thesis consists of three studies exploring the relationship between loneliness and various health dimensions, including physical health (particularly cardiovascular health), mental health, and health literacy. The results reveal that loneliness has a detrimental impact on these health dimensions, independent of concurrent mental and social health issues, in both young adults and the general adult population. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated this effect. These findings can be valuable in developing interventions to tackle loneliness and improve health outcomes, including primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, as well as enhancing health literacy through awareness and education.