"Less Than 15 Minutes a Day": Middle-aged Men With Family But No Conversation Are Lonelier Than Those Living Alone

Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology Analysis

Domestic isolation accounts for 4.7% of all survey participants

1.48 times higher likelihood of depression, 1.56 times higher likelihood of low well-being

A Japanese study has found that middle-aged and older adults experiencing so-called "in-home isolation," characterized by living with family but having little conversation or interaction, are more likely to have poorer mental health than those living alone.

Isolated image extracted by AI.

According to Kyodo News Agency on August 25, the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology confirmed that middle-aged and older adults who live with family but have little communication or engagement at home tend to have relatively poorer mental health.

The research team analyzed data from a 2023 survey conducted in Wako City, Saitama Prefecture, examining the household environments, degree of interaction with cohabiting family members, and health conditions of approximately 8,800 people aged 40 and over.

The team classified "in-home isolation" as cases where, among those living with family, the time spent talking with family was less than 15 minutes per day both on weekdays and weekends or holidays, and the person spent much of their time alone within the house.

People who fell under the in-home isolation category accounted for 4.7% of all survey respondents. By age group, the proportion was 3.2% among those aged 40-64, and 5.3% among those 65 and older, indicating a higher rate as age increased. Across most age groups, the rate was higher among men than women.

The likelihood of self-rating one's health as poor was 1.10 times higher for those living alone compared to those not in in-home isolation, but it was even higher—1.33 times—for those experiencing in-home isolation.

The likelihood of being in a depressive state was 1.19 times higher for those living alone and 1.48 times higher for those in in-home isolation. The odds of having lower levels of well-being—which reflect both physical and mental health and happiness—were 1.21 times higher for those living alone and 1.56 times higher for those in in-home isolation, indicating a greater tendency toward poorer mental health among the in-home isolated compared to people living alone.

Social isolation has been linked to increased risks of dementia, cardiovascular disease, and depression. However, existing research has primarily focused on whether a person lives alone or has limited social connections outside the home.

Hiroshi Murayama, head of the research department, stated, "It is not necessarily reassuring just because someone lives with family," adding, "Professionals in administrative and welfare fields should not simply consider whether a person lives with family, but also examine what kind of interactions occur within the household."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.