Loneliness and subsequent depression and anxiety in emerging adults: Findings from a Swedish cohort study

Loneliness is an important public health concern, especially among young people experiencing multiple social transitions. Although research on loneliness and mental health is growing, few studies have focused on emerging adulthood, and most rely on cross-sectional designs. This study examines the association between loneliness and subsequent depression and anxiety, both as clinical diagnoses and as self-reported symptoms, among emerging adults.

Data were obtained from Futura01, a Swedish national cohort study that tracks individuals born in 2001 and includes both survey data and linked register information. The study population included 3828 participants for the analysis of depression and anxiety diagnoses (based on International Classification of Diseases-10 codes in the Swedish National Patient Register), and 2747 participants for the analysis of self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms (based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4). Logistic regression models were employed to analyse the associations.

Loneliness at age 18 was linked to both depression and anxiety diagnoses at ages 19-20 and self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms at age 21, even after the adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and prior depression and anxiety diagnoses.

Loneliness is linked to subsequent depression and anxiety in emerging adulthood. These findings indicate that loneliness may contribute to later mental health challenges in emerging adults, highlighting the importance of addressing loneliness during this developmental period.