Longitudinal trajectories of social isolation and loneliness across the lifespan during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

ABSTRACT: During the prolonged Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic persisting through to 2023, social isolation became a major public health concern. Its impacts varied across age groups, but empirical evidence on longitudinal trajectories of social isolation in South Korea remains limited. Thus, this study examined social isolation and loneliness trajectories in South Korea using longitudinal data from three waves (2021-2023) involving 2395 participants aged 15-79. Over that three-year period, social isolation increased steadily. Risk was elevated among middle-aged and older adults, men, those with lower educational attainment, lower income, and more severe depressive symptoms, and residents of urban areas. Rates of increased social isolation demonstrated a nonsignificant difference across age groups

SUBMITTER: Choi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12686527 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature