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The Impact of Social Isolation on Health Across Different Life Stages:
A Comprehensive Literature Review from Childhood to Old Age

S. Hayashi and K. Matsumoto 1
1

1
Facluty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Japan

Background: Social isolation, defined as the lack of social contacts and interactions, has significant
impacts on health across different stages of life. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing
interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of social isolation.

Objective: This synthesis aims to examine the effects of social isolation during childhood, adolescence,
middle age, and old age on various health outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of its
consequences across the lifespan.

Methods: I conducted a literature search on PubMed using the keywords “social isolation” and “life
stage.” This synthesis summarizes findings on social isolation at various developmental stages.

Results: Childhood social isolation is linked to increased inflammation in adulthood, as indicated by
higher C-reactive protein levels. It also correlates with lower educational attainment, psychological distress,
and unhealthy behaviors in later life. Early school isolation is associated with immediate mental health
difficulties but does not necessarily predict long-term mental health issues beyond existing problems.
Adolescents who experience social isolation often face persistent behavioral and neurobiological changes,
including altered social behavior, increased anxiety, cognitive impairments, and poor decision-making. This
age group is at a higher risk for developing health issues and engaging in unhealthy behaviors compared
to others. In middle age, social isolation is linked to various negative health outcomes, including poor
physical, mental, cognitive, and overall health. Those severely isolated report the worst outcomes, with
increased risks of depression, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. For older adults, social
isolation and loneliness are closely associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety,
as well as physical health problems like cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining social connections is vital for
mental health, and interventions to reduce perceived isolation can protect against affective disorders.

Conclusion: Social isolation harms health at all ages; targeted interventions are essential.

Keywords: social isolation, life stage, health outcomes, developmental impact

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Correspondence: Shimpei Hayashi, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Japan
E-mail: hayashi.shimpei@kagawa-u.ac.jp
Poster Presentation Abstracts

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