Researchers from the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom explored how early loneliness might shape long-term health. They found that people who felt lonely during childhood displayed higher levels of inflammatory markers in adulthood, as reported in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity (BBI) findings.
The study drew on data from three sizeable groups to ensure reliable insights. A total of 6,144 Danish participants (average age around 60) and 881 New Zealanders (average age about 45) contributed data. Additionally, data from 1,448 British twins with an average age of 18 years were included. Through specially designed questionnaires, researchers captured how intense and traumatic the sense of loneliness was for volunteers during childhood.
To gauge body-wide inflammation, the team measured concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR) in participants’ blood samples.
The analysis showed that Danish individuals who described social isolation in childhood had elevated levels of all three inflammatory markers compared with those who grew up with family or friends. After controlling for age, gender, body mass index, and smoking history, the rise remained significant for suPAR alone. Participants from New Zealand and the United Kingdom who recalled childhood loneliness also exhibited higher suPAR levels after these adjustments.
Experts emphasize that loneliness in childhood can be linked to longer-term, persistent inflammation in adulthood. Chronic inflammation is a key biomarker associated with aging and features in discussions about the development of health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The researchers note that further investigations are needed to understand these relationships more deeply. [Citation: University of Greenwich study, 2024]
Previously acknowledged findings in related work have explored how early social experiences may influence later health outcomes, including risk factors for aging and neurodegenerative conditions. The current results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that emotional well-being in childhood can have measurable biological footprints years later. Ongoing studies aim to clarify causal pathways and identify potential interventions that could mitigate long-term inflammation arising from early loneliness.
In the broader context of public health, these findings highlight the importance of supportive environments for children. By fostering social connections and mental health during formative years, communities may influence adult health trajectories, potentially reducing the burden of chronic inflammatory states later in life. Future research will continue to track how early experiences intersect with lifestyle factors to shape inflammatory profiles across populations. [Citation: University of Greenwich study, 2024]