This week is Loneliness Awareness Week and, to mark the fact, a new study has been published, revealing that loneliness among boys and young men in England may be far more common than official figures suggest, with researchers warning that stigma stops many from speaking out.
The research, commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), found that while only a small minority report feeling lonely ‘often or always’, around half say they experience loneliness at least occasionally.
But the report’s authors caution that the true scale of the problem is likely hidden. ‘Wider research suggests [boys and young men] may be less likely to report these experiences because of stigma,’ the study states, meaning loneliness in this group may be underestimated.
The study, which analysed national survey data collected between 2022 and 2025, focused on males aged 10 to 25. It aimed to identify the specific risk and protective factors for loneliness, isolation and social connection.
The most striking finding was the powerful link between loneliness and poor mental health. Boys and young men with lower wellbeing were dramatically more likely to feel lonely often.
In one survey, a third of young men aged 16 to 25 with mental distress reported chronic loneliness, compared to just 6% of those without. The relationship is likely two‑way: poor mental health increases loneliness, and loneliness worsens mental health.
Bullying also emerged as a major risk factor. Young men who experienced bullying online or at school were far more likely to report feeling lonely often. Online bullying remained a strong factor even into the early twenties.
Encouragingly, the research identified several protective factors. Feeling well supported by family was strongly linked to lower rates of isolation. Having more close friends also helped, although the study noted that many young men with several friends still felt lonely – suggesting that the quality of connections matters more than quantity.
Participation in clubs, societies or community groups was associated with lower loneliness among young men aged 17 to 25, pointing to the value of organised social activities.
Being unemployed or not in education or training was linked to higher loneliness in some analyses, but this pattern weakened once mental health and bullying were taken into account. Age itself was not a strong predictor of loneliness once other life experiences – such as changes in mental health, work and independence – were considered.
The report concludes that mental health support, anti‑bullying efforts (both in schools and online), and programmes that build family communication and peer relationship skills should be priorities.
It also suggests that policies encouraging access to clubs and community groups may help strengthen social connection among young men.
‘Lower mental wellbeing was the strongest and most consistent factor associated with loneliness,’ the report states. ‘Strengthening mental health support across adolescence and early adulthood could have wide benefits.’
The research provides what experts say is the most comprehensive recent evidence on loneliness among boys and young men in England, offering a clear roadmap for targeted intervention.
Image: Saydung
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