The loneliness paradox: How media narratives shape our solitude

In an era of hyperconnectivity, loneliness has been declared a global epidemic with significant consequences for mental and physical health. Public health campaigns and media discussions have long sought to combat this crisis—but could they be making it worse? New University of Michigan research reveals a paradox: How the media portrays solitude—though well-intentioned—may exacerbate loneliness by negatively influencing people's beliefs about being alone. A deep dive into 144 news articles from leading U.S. newspapers, published between 2020 and 2022, uncovered a striking trend—solitude is overwhelmingly depicted as a negative, even dangerous state. These stories are 10 times more likely to describe being alone as more harmful than beneficial. learn more: https://news.umich.edu/the-loneliness-paradox-how-media-narratives-shape-our-solitude/