According to CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently released a report indicating that adults living alone are more susceptible to depression compared to those living with others. Data collected during the 2021 National Health Interview Survey revealed that 6.4% of adults residing alone reported feelings of depression, whereas only 4.1% of individuals living with others reported similar sentiments. This disparity persisted across various demographics, including gender, age, income level, and most racial groups.

The study highlighted a substantial increase in the number of single-person households in the United States over the past five decades. In 2022, 16% of adults lived alone, amounting to 37.9 million individuals, an increase of 4.8 million since 2012. Despite economic factors contributing to heightened depression rates, the report emphasized that over 90% of individuals living alone did not report feeling depressed. It underscored the importance of social and emotional support in mitigating feelings of depression, with adults who rarely received such support being nearly twice as likely to report depressive symptoms.

However, the study acknowledged certain limitations, recognizing that living arrangements are diverse and multifaceted. While living alone may pose a risk of social isolation, individuals in this category may still have access to supportive networks and communities. Additionally, the report underscored the broader public health concerns associated with loneliness and social isolation, including increased risks of dementia, heart disease, and stroke. In contrast, fostering close friendships has been identified as a protective factor for mental health and overall wellbeing, underscoring the importance of social connections in promoting healthier lives.