The dynamics of loneliness: A longitudinal exploration of transitions in Japan across the COVID-19 period, 2020–2024
- 1School of Economics, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Japan
Abstract
Background: Concerns about increased loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic have been widely reported. However, long-term trajectories of loneliness remain insufficiently described. Objective: To examine annual trends and five-year transition patterns of loneliness in Japan from 2020 to 2024 using data from a nationwide online panel. Methods: We analyzed data from 1,673 adults who participated in all five annual survey waves from 2020 to 2024 and had complete information on the variables used in the analysis. Loneliness was measured using the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate annual prevalence and five-year transition patterns. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using a stricter loneliness threshold. Results: The prevalence of loneliness peaked in 2021, declined in 2022, and remained relatively stable from 2022 to 2024. Most respondents demonstrated stable trajectories over five years, either consistently reporting loneliness or consistently not reporting loneliness. A smaller proportion exhibited transient loneliness during the pandemic period. Under the stricter loneliness threshold, the 2021 peak and the predominance of stable over transitional sequences were preserved, although the ranking of specific sequences changed. Conclusions: Among respondents retained in this five-wave online panel, loneliness prevalence peaked in 2021, declined in 2022, and remained relatively stable from 2022 to 2024. Stable trajectories were more common than transitional trajectories. These findings provide descriptive evidence on long-term loneliness patterns but should not be interpreted as nationally representative prevalence estimates.
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BibTeX
@article{amarsanaa2026dynamics,
title = {{The dynamics of loneliness: A longitudinal exploration of transitions in Japan across the COVID-19 period, 2020–2024}},
author = {Jargalmaa Amarsanaa and Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen and Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan and Yoshihiko Kadoya},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358269},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358269},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The dynamics of loneliness: A longitudinal exploration of transitions in Japan across the COVID-19 period, 2020–2024
AU - Jargalmaa Amarsanaa
AU - Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen
AU - Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan
AU - Yoshihiko Kadoya
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358269
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358269
AB - Background: Concerns about increased loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic have been widely reported. However, long-term trajectories of loneliness remain insufficiently described. Objective: To examine annual trends and five-year transition patterns of loneliness in Japan from 2020 to 2024 using data from a nationwide online panel. Methods: We analyzed data from 1,673 adults who participated in all five annual survey waves from 2020 to 2024 and had complete information on the variables used in the analysis. Loneliness was measured using the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate annual prevalence and five-year transition patterns. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using a stricter loneliness threshold. Results: The prevalence of loneliness peaked in 2021, declined in 2022, and remained relatively stable from 2022 to 2024. Most respondents demonstrated stable trajectories over five years, either consistently reporting loneliness or consistently not reporting loneliness. A smaller proportion exhibited transient loneliness during the pandemic period. Under the stricter loneliness threshold, the 2021 peak and the predominance of stable over transitional sequences were preserved, although the ranking of specific sequences changed. Conclusions: Among respondents retained in this five-wave online panel, loneliness prevalence peaked in 2021, declined in 2022, and remained relatively stable from 2022 to 2024. Stable trajectories were more common than transitional trajectories. These findings provide descriptive evidence on long-term loneliness patterns but should not be interpreted as nationally representative prevalence estimates.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -