ALIENATION
Why a crowded office can be the loneliest place on earth
A comprehensive new review published in the Journal of Management synthesizes decades of research to understand the epidemic of workplace loneliness. By analyzing 233 empirical studies, researchers from Portland State University have identified how workplace conditions contribute to isolation and offer evidence-based paths to reconnection.
The research emphasizes that loneliness is distinct from social isolation. While isolation is about being alone, loneliness is the subjective feeling that one’s social relationships are deficient—meaning employees can feel deeply lonely even in a crowded office.
"Given the connection between workplace characteristics and loneliness, organizations should consider that loneliness is not a personal issue, and instead is a business issue," said Berrin Erdogan, professor of management at Portland State. "Businesses have an opportunity to design jobs and organizations in a way that will prioritize employee relational well being."
Key Findings:
The "Hunger" Signal: Like hunger signals a need for food, temporary loneliness is a biological signal encouraging us to seek connection. However, when loneliness becomes chronic, it harms emotional and cognitive well-being.
The Employment Paradox: Generally, having a job keeps loneliness at bay; unemployed and retired individuals report higher levels of loneliness than the employed. However, the quality of the job matters. Roles with high stress, low autonomy, and poor support from managers are major risk factors.
The Ripple Effect: Loneliness is contagious in leadership. The study found that lonely managers are not only less effective but can harm the well-being of their employees.
"Work can be a sanctuary from loneliness, but it can also be the source," the researchers note.
The review identifies several promising interventions to combat chronic loneliness. Organizations can help by offering training on stress management and social skills, while individuals found relief through mindfulness practices and engagement in volunteering activities.
A comprehensive new review published in the Journal of Management synthesizes decades of research to understand the epidemic of workplace loneliness. By analyzing 233 empirical studies, researchers from Portland State University have identified how workplace conditions contribute to isolation and offer evidence-based paths to reconnection.
The research emphasizes that loneliness is distinct from social isolation. While isolation is about being alone, loneliness is the subjective feeling that one’s social relationships are deficient—meaning employees can feel deeply lonely even in a crowded office.
"Given the connection between workplace characteristics and loneliness, organizations should consider that loneliness is not a personal issue, and instead is a business issue," said Berrin Erdogan, professor of management at Portland State. "Businesses have an opportunity to design jobs and organizations in a way that will prioritize employee relational well being."
Key Findings:
The "Hunger" Signal: Like hunger signals a need for food, temporary loneliness is a biological signal encouraging us to seek connection. However, when loneliness becomes chronic, it harms emotional and cognitive well-being.
The Employment Paradox: Generally, having a job keeps loneliness at bay; unemployed and retired individuals report higher levels of loneliness than the employed. However, the quality of the job matters. Roles with high stress, low autonomy, and poor support from managers are major risk factors.
The Ripple Effect: Loneliness is contagious in leadership. The study found that lonely managers are not only less effective but can harm the well-being of their employees.
"Work can be a sanctuary from loneliness, but it can also be the source," the researchers note.
The review identifies several promising interventions to combat chronic loneliness. Organizations can help by offering training on stress management and social skills, while individuals found relief through mindfulness practices and engagement in volunteering activities.
Journal
Journal of Management
Journal of Management
DOI
Article Title
All the Lonely People: An Integrated Review and Research Agenda on Work and LonelinessArticle Publication Date
21-Jan-2026
21-Jan-2026
Encouraging students to socialize at an early stage can prevent loneliness
Radboud University Nijmegen
Loneliness is a common problem among students. However, encouraging students to socialise at an early stage can improve the well-being of this group. This is evident from an experiment with a new preventive intervention developed by researchers at Radboud University. Their findings are published today in economics journal ESB.
Previous research by the Trimbos Institute has shown that 65 per cent of university students feel somewhat to very lonely. This loneliness not only affects students' mental health, but also influences their academic performance and career prospects. In response to these figures, various initiatives have been set up within universities to improve students' mental well-being, but little is known about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Radboud University Nijmegen
Loneliness is a common problem among students. However, encouraging students to socialise at an early stage can improve the well-being of this group. This is evident from an experiment with a new preventive intervention developed by researchers at Radboud University. Their findings are published today in economics journal ESB.
Previous research by the Trimbos Institute has shown that 65 per cent of university students feel somewhat to very lonely. This loneliness not only affects students' mental health, but also influences their academic performance and career prospects. In response to these figures, various initiatives have been set up within universities to improve students' mental well-being, but little is known about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Cooking or walking together
“Due to cutbacks in higher education, it is important that the initiatives chosen can be demonstrably successful. That is why we developed and evaluated REconnect for students at Radboud University,” explains Jana Vyrsastekova, one of the authors. 'REconnect is an intervention that universities can use preventively to reduce loneliness among students. It aims to strengthen social ties and inclusion before loneliness becomes chronic."
Students who participated in the intervention were invited to take part in a five-week programme. Natascha Wagner, co-author and also affiliated with Radboud University: 'This included three plenary meetings with speakers who talked about their own setbacks. In addition, randomly assembled groups of students were given challenges to carry out together. Groups of four or five students were put together via WhatsApp and encouraged to cook or go for a walk together, for example.
“Due to cutbacks in higher education, it is important that the initiatives chosen can be demonstrably successful. That is why we developed and evaluated REconnect for students at Radboud University,” explains Jana Vyrsastekova, one of the authors. 'REconnect is an intervention that universities can use preventively to reduce loneliness among students. It aims to strengthen social ties and inclusion before loneliness becomes chronic."
Students who participated in the intervention were invited to take part in a five-week programme. Natascha Wagner, co-author and also affiliated with Radboud University: 'This included three plenary meetings with speakers who talked about their own setbacks. In addition, randomly assembled groups of students were given challenges to carry out together. Groups of four or five students were put together via WhatsApp and encouraged to cook or go for a walk together, for example.
Life satisfaction increases
The research results on the success of the intervention are very encouraging, according to Vyrastekova. “The students who participated experienced more loneliness on average than a control group beforehand. Eighty percent of the participants indicated that they were participating 'to meet new people”. Afterwards, the average life satisfaction of this group was found to have increased significantly compared to before the intervention. Loneliness also decreased slightly. '
Mental health is still a taboo subject among many students. Many will not readily ask for support themselves because of the stigma surrounding mental well-being. That is why REconnect aimed to be as accessible as possible. Afterwards, it became clear that this appealed to students. One of them said: 'The nice thing about this specific project is that you know that the other people are open to making new friends, otherwise they wouldn't be there, and that makes it easier!
Vyrastekova: “Improving student wellbeing requires a comprehensive approach, and one programme is not enough. But we hope that our findings are a concrete example of how you can reduce loneliness even with limited resources.”
The research results on the success of the intervention are very encouraging, according to Vyrastekova. “The students who participated experienced more loneliness on average than a control group beforehand. Eighty percent of the participants indicated that they were participating 'to meet new people”. Afterwards, the average life satisfaction of this group was found to have increased significantly compared to before the intervention. Loneliness also decreased slightly. '
Mental health is still a taboo subject among many students. Many will not readily ask for support themselves because of the stigma surrounding mental well-being. That is why REconnect aimed to be as accessible as possible. Afterwards, it became clear that this appealed to students. One of them said: 'The nice thing about this specific project is that you know that the other people are open to making new friends, otherwise they wouldn't be there, and that makes it easier!
Vyrastekova: “Improving student wellbeing requires a comprehensive approach, and one programme is not enough. But we hope that our findings are a concrete example of how you can reduce loneliness even with limited resources.”
Article Title
Stimuleren sociale interacties kan studentenwelzijn verbeteren
Stimuleren sociale interacties kan studentenwelzijn verbeteren
Article Publication Date
22-Jan-2026
22-Jan-2026
