The new survey asked adults about social differences. Those who considered them a major source of stress were more likely than others to say they felt isolated and left out.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Living in a polarized society is taking a toll on Americans' mental health. These are the latest results from the American Psychological Association's annual survey. More than 60% of adults who took part in the survey say that disagreements in society are their main source of stress. NPR health correspondent Ritu Chatterjee is here to tell us more. Hello Ritu.
RITU CHATTERJEE, BYLINE: Hi, Aisha.
RASCOE: What else did this study find?
CHATTERJEE: The survey also revealed what may be a deeper emotional crisis in the country that is increasingly being recognized as a major public health problem: loneliness and social isolation. Half or more of respondents say they feel isolated from others. They feel left out and lack communication. And what's interesting is, you know, those who said they were stressed by the social divisions in the country were more likely to report feelings of loneliness and disconnection than those who said they weren't bothered by how divided the country is right now. Here's psychologist Vale Wright from the American Psychological Association.
VAIL WRIGHT: It's almost like a double whammy. If you feel that you are personally affected by the level of social division in the country, then it seems that to some extent you also feel that you are unable to connect with others and cope with this feeling of disconnection and feelings of loneliness.
CHATTERJEE: Research shows that loneliness and isolation do have a negative impact on mental health.
RASCOE: Can you talk more about the mental health implications? Was this also taken into account in the survey?
CHATTERJEE: Yes, it was. According to Wright, respondents who reported feelings of loneliness and isolation were also more likely to say they engaged in some poor behaviors.
WRIGHT: Cancellation of social plans, difficulty planning for the future, difficulty making decisions, lack of self-care. And what's worse is that they don't fulfill their responsibilities at work, at home, or in the family.
CHATTERJEE: And you know, Wright says both high levels of stress and social isolation are associated with physical and mental health symptoms.
WRIGHT: This can look like headaches, fatigue, stomach problems and increased levels of depression and anxiety.
CHATTERJEE: And all of this has been well documented by previous studies.
RASCOE: Is there anything in the survey results that provides a glimmer of hope or insight into what people can do to feel more connected to others?
CHATTERJEE: I'm so glad you asked that. Wright says that each year they conduct the survey, they also ask respondents whether they can have a positive impact on their own lives.
WRIGHT: Inevitably, everyone says yes. Yes, they can. Yes, that they have the opportunity to do something better for themselves and that they see a bright future for themselves. And I always think that this is such a typical, encouraging fact that we need to hold on to.
CHATTERJEE: And she says this is especially important when it feels like a lot is out of our control, which brings me to the other part of your question about what people can do to feel more connected. And Wright says the key is to focus on the things you can control. So, you know, we may not be able to overcome political differences, but we can call or text a loved one we haven't seen or heard from in a while, or do something nice for friends, family, neighbors, or perhaps volunteer for an organization whose values align with our own so that we can make a positive contribution to our community. And all of this, Wright says, can really ease that feeling of disconnect.
RASCOE: This is NPR health correspondent Ritu Chatterjee. Thank you very much for stopping by.
CHATTERJEE: Always a pleasure, Aisha.
© 2025 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of Use And permissions pages in www.npr.org for more information.
The accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary. Transcript may be modified to correct errors or accommodate audio updates. Audio on npr.org may be edited after it is originally broadcast or published. The authoritative recording of NPR programs is the audio recording.
