Social isolation and health risks: Do the younger generations behave differently? Findings from the European Social Survey (Round 11 – 2023/2024)

Abstract

Social isolation has long been recognized as a determinant of poor health, particularly in older adults. However, its effects on young people remain underexplored. This study investigates how different dimensions of social isolation affect health-related behaviors among different generations (Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z), including physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and body mass index as dependent variables. Using cross-sectional data from Round 11 of the European Social Survey, we analyze a sample of individuals from 24 European countries. We apply logistic regression models to estimate the association between five social isolation indicators (non-social meetings, lack of participation in activities, living alone, lack of emotional support, and unhappiness) and the above-mentioned four health-related outcomes. The empirical results highlight that social isolation is meaningfully associated with health behaviors, even among younger cohorts (e.g.: non-social meetings [OR = 1.291–1.789] play a key role in contributing to physical inactivity across all generations). It could be said that Generation X represents a transitional group, balancing traditional and modern lifestyles. Our findings emphasize the need for age-specific policies to address social isolation and promote lifelong health and support urgent policy attention to mitigate the long-term public health consequences of social disconnection in Europe.