Not having a close circle of friends can have a big impact on a young life.
A new survey finds young Americans are more likely than senior citizens to report being lonely and in poor health. According to the survey of 20-thousand Americans by health insurer Cigna, people age 18 to 22 had loneliness index scores nearly 20-percent higher than people 72 and older.
To figure this out, Cigna used one of the best known tools for measuring loneliness the UCLA Loneliness Scale. You can even take it for yourself.
The survey also found young people who use social media the most report the same feelings of loneliness as those who barely use it. Research indicates loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Source: NPR