The Paradox of Hyperconnectivity: Young People Aged 18 to 25 Feel the Loneliest in Alicante

Social media's omnipresence has led to society being more connected than ever. We can even speak of hyperconnectivity, and those who exemplify this social phenomenon the most are young people. Adapting Quevedo's famous sonnet with nasal overtones, one could say 'There was a young person glued to a mobile'. This is why it is so paradoxical that it is precisely young people aged 18 to 25 who experience the highest degree of loneliness. "We are facing the paradox of hyperconnectivity," explains José Antonio Rabadán Sánchez, professor at the Department of Social Work and Social Services at the University of Alicante, and head of the Observatory of Loneliness created by the institution.

The high incidence of loneliness among young people is reflected in a study conducted by this working group, funded by the Alicante Provincial Council. The study reveals other worrying data, such as the fact that 29% of the Alicante population experiences severe or very severe loneliness, and up to 44.8% experience it moderately.

The study's results will serve as a basis for proposing measures to mitigate this issue, which Rabadán considers to be "structural". "We will not stop talking about this for the coming decades. It is affecting us like a tsunami. Society changes, and loneliness is a consequence of it."

The progressive aging of the population—resulting from declining birth rates and increased life expectancy—as well as the rise in the number of single-parent households, are two causes that help to understand this phenomenon, explains the Alicante researcher.

The logic behind policies to mitigate the effects of loneliness is to replicate measures from other countries, such as Japan, where the rate of people suffering from isolation is so high that a Ministry of Loneliness has been established.

Comparisons of the results offered by the Alicante study are inevitable with those conducted in other regions. In this regard, Rabadán acknowledges that the loneliness rates recorded in Alicante are somewhat higher than the supra-provincial average. Here, it is worth making an observation and discussing the methodology of the work, which varies from other investigations.

The study results from interviews with nearly 2,000 people, conducted online through a questionnaire. "This differs from the usual method of interviewing people in person or by phone. It must be considered that loneliness is a stigma, perceived as a sign of failure, so many interviewees are reluctant to admit they suffer from it. An online questionnaire is a way to provide greater anonymity to the process, allowing respondents to answer with fewer prejudices."

This has led to the incidence of loneliness recorded in Alicante being slightly higher than in other regions or countries, which is why the UA researcher sees it as necessary to establish a consensus methodology to measure this problem.

Loneliness will be the leitmotif of a series of conferences organized by the Alicante-Sant Joan d'Alacant Health Department on Friday, May 16. The event will take place at 9:30 am at the Salvador Gosálbez Alberola Municipal Senior Center in Sant Joan d'Alacant.

The conference will be structured through two round tables. The first, titled "Visions", will be moderated by Carmen Miquel, case manager nurse at the Cabo Huertas Health Center, who will also explain the intervention plan of the Department. Speakers include Rafael Arjones, photojournalist and head of photography at Diario Información, who will discuss his work on image and loneliness, and José Antonio Rabadán, head of the Observatory of Loneliness at the University of Alicante.

Remedios Alarcón, president of the Alicante Red Cross, moderates the second round table, titled "Actions". Participants include Dolores Sánchez, coordinator of social projects at Caritas Sant Joan d'Alacant, and Helena Hernández, technician at the Inclusion Area of the Alicante Red Cross. Both will share specific experiences and social intervention projects that are helping to reduce loneliness in the community environment.

Additionally, real patient testimonies will be presented as examples of coordination between Primary Care, Social Services, NGOs, and associations. Participants include Asunción Quesada, monitor at the Senior Center; Sonia Aracil, coordinator of Social Services and social worker at the City Council; and Marta Lorenzo, case manager nurse at the Sant Joan d'Alacant Health Center.