Which of the following have researchers found about loneliness?

• A. Loneliness is associated with increased risk of physical health problems such as heart disease.
• B. Loneliness has no measurable impact on mental health.
• C. Loneliness is unrelated to stress levels.
• D. Researchers find that loneliness only affects people over the age of 65.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of loneliness in psychological research. Loneliness is a subjective feeling of social isolation or lack of meaningful social connections, which can impact both mental and physical health.
2. Step 2: Review empirical findings from psychological and health research studies that examine the effects of loneliness on individuals across different age groups and health outcomes.
3. Step 3: Recognize that loneliness has been linked to increased stress levels and negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, contradicting the statements that it has no impact on mental health or stress.
4. Step 4: Note that research shows loneliness is associated with physical health risks, including increased risk of heart disease, which supports the correct answer choice.
5. Step 5: Understand that loneliness affects people of all ages, not just those over 65, so the statement limiting loneliness effects to older adults is inaccurate.