According to a survey by the Mamba dating service, loneliness weighs on Russian men more than women.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that loneliness has become a serious threat to the health of people across the planet. Checking the organization’s findings, the Mamba dating service surveyed more than 1.5 thousand Russians about how the absence of a partner or mental loneliness affects their well-being. It turned out that more than half of the respondents felt lonely over the past six months. At the same time, men are more burdened by loneliness than women: 15% of Russians and 7% of Russian women rated their condition without a partner as terrible. But every tenth person felt loneliness, even while in a relationship. Doctors warn that loneliness affects the risks of depression, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, arthritis and other diseases.

In November, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a Social Relations Commission to tackle the problem of loneliness. It was co-chaired by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy; he has already stated that loneliness creates health risks comparable to the consequences of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. People without sufficiently strong social connections are at increased risk of stroke, anxiety disorders, dementia, depression, and suicide, WHO warned. And in light of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all these issues “have acquired particular relevance.”

After the creation of the international commission on loneliness, the dating service Mamba asked 1,672 Russians over 18 years old about how the absence of a partner or mental loneliness affects their condition.

• More than half of respondents (54%) have felt lonely over the past six months.
• At the same time, every tenth person felt loneliness, even while in a relationship.
• However, a third of those surveyed said that the absence of a partner did not make them feel isolated or somehow inferior.

Men suffer from loneliness more than women. 20% of male respondents admitted that it was difficult for them to be without a partner – and among women only 11% answered this way. The number of men who rated their condition without a partner as 1 out of 10 (where 1 is “terrible” and 10 is “excellent”) is twice as many as women (15% and 7%). On average, women rated their state of being single as 6.1 points, and men as 5.

Nevertheless, more than half of both women and men would like to give their love and care to someone.

A third of respondents of both sexes are looking for a partner to share positive emotions. For some respondents (30%) it is important to build a family. 17% of men and 8% of women are worried that they may not have time to have children with their loved one.

However, there are a number of reasons why Russians find it difficult to change the status of their personal lives and find love. A quarter of those surveyed admitted that they have no luck with people – dating and new relationships turn out to be unsuccessful. Every fourth woman answered that she currently does not feel sympathy for anyone, and 26% of men simply do not know where to meet someone. Every tenth Russian woman is prevented from finding love by too strict requirements – they try to find the ideal person. And 14% of men are not ready to change habits developed alone. Every tenth Russian is prevented from building new relationships by memories of former partners.

Many modern studies confirm that loneliness is associated with depression, the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, arthritis and other diseases, says Tatyana Israelyan, head of psychological assistance service Budu.

According to Ms. Israelian, a lack of social support and closeness with other people can lead to feelings of helplessness, despair and low self-esteem.

Such negative conditions can cause adverse physiological reactions in the body, such as increased production of stress hormones, sleep disturbances and weakened immunity.

Ekaterina Serebrennikova, a general practitioner at the medical technical company Doctor Nearby, clarifies that men are more susceptible to the risks associated with loneliness. According to the specialist, their adherence to treatment is much lower, they are emotionally more closed and may experience the stage of loneliness more acutely.

Olga Shuppo, scientific director of the Grand Clinic network of immunorehabilitation and preventive medicine clinics, adds: in people in a couple, as a rule, a balance in the production of hormones prevails. Touching and hugging, for example, releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, the doctor says. It is not only necessary, but also indirectly has a beneficial effect on other hormones. “For example, oxytocin has a relaxing effect on men in a couple, which indirectly reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases,” comments Ms. Shuppo. “In women, oxytocin is produced in a couple, during pregnancy, when communicating with a child and controls a whole cascade of female hormones, directly affecting “hormonal longevity.”

Psychotherapist of the Doctis telemedicine service Elena Burdelova says that the level of reflection in society has increased, which is why there are more requests on the topic of loneliness. At the same time, marriage, having a partner and children do not guarantee protection from the emergence of this feeling, she emphasizes. According to the psychotherapist, people often associate their psycho-emotional discomfort, anxiety, and depressive states with loneliness. “In general, one of the human needs is to belong to a group of other people – friends, professional communities, companies of hobbies and interests, where a person will satisfy his sense of belonging and not experience loneliness,” says Mrs. Burdelova.

According to the psychotherapist, the WHO’s attention to this topic is justified: when a person is alone, he often lacks motivation to lead an active or healthy lifestyle.

Ekaterina Serebrennikova reminds that loss of purpose, fatigue and other factors that a person experiences alone can simultaneously signal various diseases. “For example, a person may encounter similar symptoms if they have diseases of the thyroid gland or vitamin deficiency,” says Ms. Serebrennikova. “It is very important to consult a doctor in time and understand the nature of the symptoms that are bothering you.”

Natalia Kostarnova