what: While adults feel a strong sense of belonging with friends and family, one-third of Americans say they frequently feel lonely according to a new American Psychiatric Association (APA) poll. And despite the digital age we live in, half of adults polled are more likely to interact with people in-person over making online connections.

Among the top findings in the poll APA commissioned with Morning Consult:

• A majority of adults most feel a sense of community and belonging with their family (66%) and with their friends and members of their close social circles (55%).
• One-third of adults (33%) report that they experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past 12 months. That’s up slightly over polling from 2024 (30%). Younger adults (ages 18-34) are more likely than older people to report loneliness.
• More than half of adults watch TV, movies, or online videos (63%) or listen to music (57%) when they feel lonely.
• Adults ages 18-34 (58%) are significantly more likely than other age groups to turn to social media when they are feeling lonely.
• Yet, adults overall are more likely to interact with people more in-person (49%) than online (36%) everyday.
• At the same time, over six in ten adults (62%) agree technology allows them to maintain relationships they would otherwise lose touch with and most (52%) think it makes it easier to express their thoughts and feelings.

The poll was conducted online between January 25 — 26, 2025, among a sample of 2,201 adults age 18+ in the United States.

who: Experts available including APA President, Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., Dr.Med.Sc. and Immediate Past-President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A.

See more on How to Reduce Loneliness.

The full poll results and expert interviews are available by contacting [email protected].

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 39,200 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA's vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.