[IELTS Listening] – Research on loneliness

TAMARA:   Shall we go through the notes we’ve made from our research into loneliness now, Dev?

DEV   OK, Tamara. It’s been a real eye-opener. I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.

TAMARA   I know. And it’s the same all over the world. The downside of a modern lifestyle, I guess.

DEV   Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?

TAMARA   Well, I’d assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly, but in fact it’s something which affects young people just as much.

DEV   So nothing really to do with longer lifespans. What about social media? In my case, far from making me feel isolated, it actually does the opposite. it?

TAMARA   It definitely does more good than harm. I’d say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed. People living in high flats with not much opportunity to speak to their neighbours

DEV   I think you right (21/22)

TAMARA   Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children and don’t live in large extended family groups.

DEV   But in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago. And yet loneliness is a more recent problem.

TAMARA   I suppose so. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.

DEV   That’s true. (21/22)

TAMARA   Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

DEV   Or similar to the risks caused by obesity. But I’m not sure there’s enough evidence for some of these claims.

TAMARA   Well, what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about 10%? And those findings have been supported by other studies too. (23/24)

DEV   You’re right about that one. (23/24) I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia. Some found no association between loneliness and dementia, and others found the opposite.

TAMARA   Not exactly reliable, then. There’s been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease and whether loneliness contributes to that.

DEV   Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgment, as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot, and the responses from participants were too subjective. But there’s no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system. (23/24)

TAMARA   Unquestionably. The data on that is sound. (23/24)

DEV   What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?

TAMARA   Well I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people is quite convincing. Survival often depended on group cooperation.

DEV   But I don think there is enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behaviour by making us feel bad when we’re alone.

TAMARA   There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed. (25/26)

DEV   And anyway, this theory’s not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today. (25/26)

TAMARA True.

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DEV   Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?

TAMARA   OK. So, loneliness and depression are clearly related and that’s been recognised by various governments around the world. But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognised clinical form. (27)

DEV   There’s no available diagnosis or effective treatment and that’s not likely to change. (27)

TAMARA   I don’t think so either. I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience. I like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university being away from home for the first time and all that.

DEV   Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it. (28)

TAMARA   Yeah. We could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well, like just talking to strangers.

DEV   Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.

TAMARA   I don’t know about that, but it must make people feel more connected with their community. (29)

DEV   True, although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.

TAMARA   Good point. We should say something about solitude and how being alone and being lonely aren’t the same thing. It’s strange the way some people can’t stand being by themselves while others love it. (30)

DEV   Yeah, the research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for wellbeing, which I appreciate, but being alone isn’t something I actually like. I’d never choose to go on holiday alone, for example.

TAMARA   Me neither.

DEV   Well, let’s not… you