Editorial: Loneliness among youth and young adults
By
Jessica Hemberg
Renae Schmidt
Viviana Horigian
June 9, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Loneliness in Adolescents and Young Adults
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Loneliness Key Mechanisms Social, psychological, and behavioral forces affecting mental health and academic performance. Target Population Adolescents and young adults, particularly those with mental health issues. Care Setting Primary care and community settings.
Key Highlights
Rising loneliness linked to adverse health outcomes, including mental health issues and higher mortality rates. Digital environments can both exacerbate and alleviate feelings of loneliness. Loneliness mediates the effects of self-perception and academic performance. Chronic loneliness is particularly damaging for adolescents and young adults with bipolar disorder. Emerging interventions show potential for addressing loneliness in healthcare settings. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify loneliness as a significant factor in mental health assessments. Management
Implement social and psychological interventions in primary care settings. Monitoring & Follow-up
Utilize longitudinal studies to track changes in loneliness over time. Risks
Recognize the chronic nature of loneliness in at-risk populations. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adolescents and young adults experiencing loneliness and related mental health issues.
Interventions should focus on enhancing social connections and resilience.
Clinical Best Practices
Employ qualitative methods to capture youth experiences of loneliness. Integrate psychological processes into models of loneliness. Encourage participation in activities that foster belonging and connection. Related Resources & Content
