Lonely and depressed students miss out on a lot; Study reveals emotional benefits they don’t get

Humans are considered social creatures and socialization is considered an important aspect of their emotional well-being. For young people, especially students, social circle is generally seen as a way to improve mood and combat loneliness. However, a study published in Psychophysiology presents a sobering reality. Students struggling with depression and loneliness may not get the same emotional benefits from social interaction as their peers with lower levels of loneliness.

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lack of social benefits

The purpose of the study conducted by Elizabeth Jelsma and colleagues was to examine how depression and loneliness shape emotional and physiological responses during social interactions. Researchers examined 118 college students, tracking everything from their daily activities to social interactions to their emotional well-being. This is where the discovery becomes interesting. It is a common belief that social interaction is healthy, relieves bad mood and eliminates loneliness. However the findings revealed a very different insight. Lonely students received no emotional benefits, whether it was one-to-one or group interactions.

Emotional Benefits of Social Mobility

The dynamics of social interaction alter mood to a great extent. These are the emotional benefits that researchers have noted. Students who were less lonely and depressed also felt more calm and comfortable in romantic relationships or hanging out with close friends. When these people are in a group, they embody the group spirit and feel more energetic and enthusiastic. These benefits contribute to overall emotional well-being.

Both of these emotional reactions are positive. However, this does not apply to students with high levels of loneliness and depression because their emotional responses to social interactions remain muted. They are unable to connect and connect properly with their peers. It shows how these young people, struggling with loneliness and depression, miss out on the emotional benefits of social interaction.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.