Why do Spaniards feel lonely? 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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Why do Spaniards feel lonely? A UAM-led study tells us Why do Spaniards feel lonely? A UAM-led study tells us ======================================================== CIVIS Highlights 25 de abril de 2025 A long-term study by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid looked at what affects loneliness in Spanish adults. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, emphasises the need for personalised support and public policies to help reduce loneliness as a public health issue. ![](/storage/files/highlight-april-2025.jpg) Gabriel via Unsplash Conducted by researchers from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona), the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the CIBER de Salud Mental, the study has analysed the evolution of loneliness in Spanish adults over 12 years. The aim was to identify the sociodemographic, psychological, social and health factors that influence the different trajectories of loneliness over time. A total of 4,537 participants were followed on four occasions over a 12-year period, during the *“[Edad con Salud](http://edadconsalud.com/?lang=en)”* longitudinal study. The results, published in the *Journal of Affective Disorders*, show the existence of similar trajectories in experiences of loneliness, identifying two main groups with different patterns over time: 1. with no or low loneliness over the years, in which most participants (87.86%) were found 2. with moderate to high levels of loneliness, characterised by temporal fluctuations, to which 12.14% of participants belonged to. A comprehensive approach to addressing loneliness -------------------------------------------------- The analysis also revealed that certain factors increase the risk of being in the moderate to high loneliness group. These include being widowed, separated or never married, living alone, being a migrant, as well as presenting depression, suicidal ideation, memory complaints or social isolation. In contrast, factors such as social support, social confidence and higher life satisfaction were identified as protective, reducing the risk of belonging to this group. In conclusion, the authors of the study highlight the need to design personalised interventions to address loneliness: > *Loneliness is a public health problem that significantly impacts quality of life. Identifying at-risk groups and modifiable factors that aggravate or mitigate loneliness is key for the development of effective assessment, prevention and support policies",* says Blanca Dolz del Castellar, first author of the article. The study underlines the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to address loneliness, combining efforts at individual, community and governmental levels to mitigate its negative effects on the adult population. It also points to the need for research that explores meso, exo and macro systemic aspects, which have been less studied, but which could be determinant in the incidence and chronicity of loneliness. **More details available in the [original story](https://www.uam.es/uam/investigacion/cultura-cientifica/noticias/soledad-adultos), in Spanish.** ### Latest Highlights: [*University of Salzburg celebrates cultural monument conservation success*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-salzburg-celebrates-cultural-monument-conservation-success) [*UNIL seizes the opportunity offered by CIVIS Seed Funding to facilitate access to university for migrants*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/unil-seizes-civis-seed-funding-opportunities-to-facilitate-access-to-university-for-migrants) [*Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee: knowledge and compassion together can make a difference*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/nobel-peace-prize-laureate-leymah-gbowee-knowledge-compassion-together-difference) [*Student-led project brings to life a festival committed to the socio-ecological transition at the ULB*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/student-led-project-brings-to-life-a-festival-committed-to-the-socio-ecological-transition-at-the-ulb) [*One million euros for AI research project involving the University of Bucharest*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/one-million-euros-for-ai-research-project-involving-the-university-of-bucharest) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/2026-01-10-145317-800x600.jpg?token=bdddc6c1d1da89737850041c5fc0c227)Musicians from all over CIVIS come together in Madrid to promote inclusiveness Connect 22 de abril de 2026 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/musicians-from-all-over-civis-come-together-in-madrid-to-promote-inclusiveness) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-details-12-800x600.jpg?token=18a67eed00f6009b77efc52af67e6ed2)Doctoral Webinar Challenges of Digital and Technological Transformations is back Hub 5 Digital and Technological transformation 23 de enero de 2026 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/doctoral-webinar-challenges-of-digital-and-technological-transformations-is-back) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/highlight-december-2025-800x600.jpg?token=be0bc5540fabebf1c1480a34cb0f2ddd)"The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM CIVIS Highlights 19 de diciembre de 2025 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam) [Descubra todas nuestras historias](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom) [ CIVIS Unit Summit: A Community in Action ](< https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/civis-unit-summit-a-community-in-action >) [ University of Salzburg celebrates cultural monument conservation success ](< https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/university-of-salzburg-celebrates-cultural-monument-conservation-success >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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