Andy’s Quick Hits (25): Having a sense of purpose eased loneliness during the pandemic

One of the clear downsides of the pandemic (amongst many) has been an increase in loneliness for some people. Loneliness, we know, has particularly negative impacts on mental health. I have also written on other research that has explored the polarising concepts of wisdom and loneliness (and brain structures involved): wise people tend to be less lonely irrespective of personal contact (and this also appears to have a relationship to the gut microbiome).

So, I was interested to read this recent piece of research that showed a link between a sense of purpose with loneliness, and interestingly, also health behaviours during the covid19 pandemic.

The researchers at the Communication Neuroscience Lab at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania found that those with a strong sense of purpose:

1. Felt less lonely during the pandemic
2. Were more likely to engage in recommended health behaviour such as physical distancing, and washing hands
3. Believed the recommended behaviours would have a positive impact

This is interesting but it also shows the opposite. Namely that those who are feeling lonely are less likely to engage in the recommended behaviours and…