Prevalence of social disconnection in the general adult population – results from DISCONNECT study

PurposeSocial disconnection, consisting of loneliness and social isolation, is increasingly recognized as a significant public health problem. This cross-sectional population study aims to investigate the prevalence of social disconnection in the general adult population of the Slovak Republic and its associations to socio – demographic/economic and health indicators.MethodsA representative sample of 3006 adults from the Slovak Republic was recruited for this study. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires via face - to - face interviews during November 2024. ResultsThe prevalence of social disconnection was found to be 25.3% for loneliness and 19.1% for social isolation. Both lonely and isolated was about 10% of population Significant associations were identified between social disconnection and mental health conditions, with higher levels of loneliness and social isolation linked to increased severity of depression. Several subpopulations showed higher risks of social disconnection.ConclusionThis study highlights the pervasive nature of social disconnection in the Slovak Republic and its substantial impact on both mental and somatic health. Our findings underscore the need for comprehensive national health policies focusing on social disconnection especially in at-risk populations such as elderly women with lower educational attainment, discriminated individuals, individuals in financial strain, and parents on maternity/paternity leave.