{
  "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.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Economics, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, Spain",
    "Health Economics Research Group, Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Cantabria, Spain",
    "Santander Financial Institute, SANFI, Santander, Cantabria, Spain"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Carla Blázquez-Fernández"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Paloma Lanza-León"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "David Cantarero-Prieto"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9yk8586qmthm2.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357725",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "9yk8586qmthm2",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357725",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3306|Health disparities and outcomes"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Physiological parameters/Body weight/Obesity"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Emotions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Socioeconomic aspects of health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Behavioral and social aspects of health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Physical activity"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Socioeconomic aspects of health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/Europe"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Emotions"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212189524",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-10",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9yk8586qmthm2.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357725",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357725"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:nutrition",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Social isolation and health risks: Do the younger generations behave differently? Findings from the European Social Survey (Round 11 – 2023/2024)",
  "title_text": "Social isolation and health risks: Do the younger generations behave differently? Findings from the European Social Survey (Round 11 – 2023/2024)",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9yk8586qmthm2",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}