Social isolation can be paired with other health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This issue can also make it difficult to have a relationship with your friends or family as they may not want to communicate or show no interest in companionship.
Humans are social beings. For most children and adolescents, school is the most important social arena. In a quantitative study of 4,227 adolescents between 13 and 19 years, scientists at the Norwegian Social Research Institute (NOVA) examined the extent of mental health problems among adolescents. Within the study, they compared youths with and without close friends to confide in and found that a significantly greater proportion of those lacking a close friend reported having depressive symptoms than those with close friends.
Significantly, more than 1 in 3 girls, without a close friend, reported experiencing depressive symptoms (Hartberg & Hegna, 2014). In another quantitative study of 4,526 adolescents between 13 and 19 years, researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health examined factors that affected young people& psychological health positively and negatively. Of the factors they chose to study, they saw that “social support from friends” and “spending spare time with friends” were the strongest protective factors against mental disorders among adolescents (Myklestad, Røysamb & Tambs, 2012).
This results in limited opportunities to spend time with other children and young people, and some end up losing their social network. This is both sad and alarming. Research shows that social isolation and loneliness often correlates with mental disorders, including depressive disorders.
Here are some ways to feel less isolated during coronavirus: -You can text, call or even face-time your friends -Spend time on doing a hobby you enjoy -Spend time with family -Keep a regular routine
