Emotional loneliness
Emotional loneliness has been studied in 4 papers since 2022: 4 observational studies in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 18, 2026: “How loneliness shapes pragmatic competences in older adults”.
4 papers study it3 findingsUpdated
“Importantly, emotional loneliness explained additional variance, indicating reduced capacity to interpret figurative and context-dependent meaning.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: Johns Hopkins University and 3 more
- Humans4
What did studies of Emotional loneliness find?
1Studies of Emotional loneliness measured 1 outcome; the most studied are pragmatic comprehension (1 study).
Pragmatic comprehension
downin humans1
1 study
Pragmatic comprehension
downin humans1
Emotional loneliness impairs pragmatic comprehension in humans.
“Importantly, emotional loneliness explained additional variance, indicating reduced capacity to interpret figurative and context-dependent meaning.”
Humanscognitively healthyn = 49
How loneliness shapes pragmatic competences in older adults
Preprint
What is Emotional loneliness linked with?
2Studies link Emotional loneliness with 2 measures, most often cognitive function (1 study) and general fluid ability (1).
Cognitive function
downin humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
downin humans1
Emotional loneliness is associated with cognitive function in humans.
“emotional, but not social, loneliness was associated with poorer objective cognitive performance on processing speed (Digit Symbol) and executive function (CalCAPTM).”
HumansHIVn = 42
The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC
General fluid ability
upin humans1
1 study
General fluid ability
upin humans1
Emotional loneliness is associated with general fluid ability in humans.
“more emotional loneliness was associated with higher scores for Gf”
Humans
Social and Emotional Loneliness: Their Relationship to Multiple Domains of Cognition in Later Life
International journal of aging & human development