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Aftonbladet demoskop: young adults severely affected by loneliness
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You don’t dine with friends, mingle with colleagues, and now not even a holiday celebration to hang on the Christmas tree.
Loneliness has grown since the start of the pandemic, with young adults and those living in lonely homes among those most affected.
– People who live as a couple say that “it is not easy for us either.” But in this second wave, I experience that it is incredibly difficult to live completely alone, says Matilda Berggren, “Singelrådet” program director.
Travel, big dinners and hanging out in Stockholm bars have always been a big part of life for 28-year-old Malin Högberg.
– I am a very social person. Single as I am, I have a great social network and I spend a lot of time with my friends, that’s what gives me energy, she says.
But when the second wave of the corona pandemic hit, she had to close the door on herself, in her apartment in Högdalen where she lives alone. The workplace where you usually meet a lot of people moved to the kitchen table and the parties turned into phone calls with friends.
– Honestly, it sucks. My social life and my social life are everything, and now everything has changed.
Photo: Private
Malin Högberg, 28, often takes a walk with her neighbor to make homework a little more challenging.
Single households affected
Every second young person feels lonelier now than before the pandemic. It shows a survey that Aftonbladet has conducted together with Demoskop.
It will be even more difficult if you also live alone. Up to 54 percent of respondents living alone feel more lonely than before the pandemic, and the youth group is well represented here.
Matilda Berggren, who is the host of the “Singelrådet” podcast, posted a question to her followers on social media about how they feel and was saddened by the hundreds of responses that came in.
– It really was not a happy reading, there are a lot of people who feel shit right now. We have never spent as much time with ourselves as now, and it can be difficult if you are not used to it.
Photo: Theresia Jatta Kölin
Matilda Berggren, host of “Singelrådet”, asked her followers on social networks who lived alone, how they felt. He was surprised at how many people really felt bad.
“Reminiscent of depression”
Usually she likes to be herself, but it is the involuntary loneliness that she finds overwhelming.
– People who live with their partners say that “it is not easy for us either.” But in this second wave, I experience that it is incredible that it is difficult to live completely alone. It’s dark outside, it’s cold and it’s not allowed to meet anyone.
When new impressions suddenly become a rare commodity, you also think that they can trigger depressive feelings.
– I have had periods where it is difficult for me to go out or when it feels like a big step to go to the store. He gets very lazy about this, and in itself it’s a bit like a depression.
– However, a friend told me that “we sat in all the boats”, and that comforted me. After all, this is how it is and we will all get through this.
Thrive well in solitude
Not everyone who experiences a lack of social impression is a problem. A quarter of all respondents consider that loneliness is not a problem and a tenth even enjoy it.
One of them is Dan Lohse, 36, who works as a humanitarian worker.
– It affects me, of course. But I quite enjoy being alone and at the same time I have an introverted side that makes this not so difficult for me.
He believes that the relationship will also be very different now, when they see you the same way.
– When you have easier contacts with many, it may not be the same deep and intimate contact that you have now. Also, I’ve gotten better at having contact via social media with those I miss, something I hadn’t had a penchant for before.
Photo: Private
Dan Lohse, 36
I have a dog
Malin Högberg, 28, also believes that lack of companionship has its advantages.
– Before the pandemic, I was always stressed when checking my calendar and wondering how I would catch up on everything. Now everything has cleared up and I have learned to be more with myself.
Also, she has a new friend. When the second corona wave hit, he went home with his parents to borrow pug Louie, who has now become his buddy and walking buddy.
– It has made it a lot easier now, so I feel less alone.
Survey figures
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42% states that they feel more / much more alone now than before the pandemic.
The age group of 16-30 years stands out, as it is fifty% who claim to feel more / much more alone. -
66% of those who feel lonelier think the pandemic is a problem / a very big problem.
24% of those who feel lonelier find it without problems, and 13% like loneliness.
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Of those who live alone (all ages) is 55% who say they feel more / much more alone now. 74% of them think that loneliness is a big / very big problem.
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