MOZOM-analyse
Loneliness in young adults: not a temporary pandemic remnant
- Source
- Der Spiegel
- MOZOM headline
- Loneliness in young adults: not a temporary pandemic remnant
- Original headline
- Have fun with young people and enjoy each other's life
- Author
- MOZOM-redactie
- Date
- 22 juni 2026 om 15:31
- Subject
- Research shows that a significant proportion of young adults feel very lonely, even years after the pandemic.
Summary of the original report
Der Spiegel reports that more than a fifth of young adults feel very lonely and that experts speak of persistent psychosocial burden. The message is important because it breaks the simple explanation that loneliness was mainly a corona phenomenon. Young people and young adults move in a world of digital contacts, expensive housing, performance pressure, insecure employment and changing study and friendship rhythms. Loneliness is not only a lack of company, but also a lack of stable embedding.
Striking in this message
It is striking that the pandemic still serves as a reference point. As a result, the first question seems to be whether complaints have disappeared, while the more important question is why they remain so persistent.
Less visible context
What is less visible is that loneliness does not always result in visible behavior. People can study, work and be present online while still experiencing little sustainable support. That is precisely what makes the subject more difficult to capture than classic health indicators.
Possible message behind the news
A possible message is that living together does not recover by itself after restrictions disappear. Social connection requires places, time and security that are not self-evident for many young adults.
Neutral conclusion
The figures on loneliness show that mental health is not only determined in the doctor's office, but also by living, work, study and the quality of ordinary encounters.