Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract The impact of social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on social isolation and loneliness has been widely debated, yet little attention has been given to identifying particularly vulnerable groups. In this study, we analysed data from 8,042 participants of the Danish Blood Donor Stu...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02293-4 |
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| author | Liam Quinn Maria Didriksen Christian Erikstrup Bitten Aagaard Christina Mikkelsen DBDS genetic consortium Henrik Ullum Janna Nissen Jakob Thaning Bay Khoa Manh Dinh Mie Topholm Bruun Sisse Rye Ostrowski Thomas Werge Andrew J. Schork Ole Birger Pedersen Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen |
| author_facet | Liam Quinn Maria Didriksen Christian Erikstrup Bitten Aagaard Christina Mikkelsen DBDS genetic consortium Henrik Ullum Janna Nissen Jakob Thaning Bay Khoa Manh Dinh Mie Topholm Bruun Sisse Rye Ostrowski Thomas Werge Andrew J. Schork Ole Birger Pedersen Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen |
| author_sort | Liam Quinn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The impact of social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on social isolation and loneliness has been widely debated, yet little attention has been given to identifying particularly vulnerable groups. In this study, we analysed data from 8,042 participants of the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) through a prospective design with multiple follow-ups, integrating genetic, health, and socioeconomic information to identify distinct loneliness trajectories during the pandemic. Using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3), we found that self-reported loneliness increased in parallel with social restriction index, with women being particularly affected. We identified three distinct loneliness trajectories: high loneliness, pandemic loneliness, and low loneliness. Individuals in the high and pandemic loneliness trajectories both had higher polygenic scores (PGS) for loneliness and for the personality trait neuroticism compared to the low loneliness trajectory. The high loneliness trajectory was additionally associated with high PGS for psychiatric disorders and low PGS for the personality trait extraversion in addition to a higher proportion of pre-pandemic psychiatric disorder diagnoses. In contrast, the pandemic loneliness trajectory was linked to low PGS for the personality traits agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as higher PGS for religious participation. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions targeting individuals with poor mental well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0f7587aa58994b1b8a115909edd26424 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0f7587aa58994b1b8a115909edd264242025-08-20T03:48:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-02293-4Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemicLiam Quinn0Maria Didriksen1Christian Erikstrup2Bitten Aagaard3Christina Mikkelsen4DBDS genetic consortiumHenrik Ullum5Janna Nissen6Jakob Thaning Bay7Khoa Manh Dinh8Mie Topholm Bruun9Sisse Rye Ostrowski10Thomas Werge11Andrew J. Schork12Ole Birger Pedersen13Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen14Department of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletStatens Serum InstitutDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletClinical Immunology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletInstitute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center St. Hans, Mental Health Services CopenhagenInstitute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center St. Hans, Mental Health Services CopenhagenDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University HospitalAbstract The impact of social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on social isolation and loneliness has been widely debated, yet little attention has been given to identifying particularly vulnerable groups. In this study, we analysed data from 8,042 participants of the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) through a prospective design with multiple follow-ups, integrating genetic, health, and socioeconomic information to identify distinct loneliness trajectories during the pandemic. Using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3), we found that self-reported loneliness increased in parallel with social restriction index, with women being particularly affected. We identified three distinct loneliness trajectories: high loneliness, pandemic loneliness, and low loneliness. Individuals in the high and pandemic loneliness trajectories both had higher polygenic scores (PGS) for loneliness and for the personality trait neuroticism compared to the low loneliness trajectory. The high loneliness trajectory was additionally associated with high PGS for psychiatric disorders and low PGS for the personality trait extraversion in addition to a higher proportion of pre-pandemic psychiatric disorder diagnoses. In contrast, the pandemic loneliness trajectory was linked to low PGS for the personality traits agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as higher PGS for religious participation. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions targeting individuals with poor mental well-being.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02293-4 |
| spellingShingle | Liam Quinn Maria Didriksen Christian Erikstrup Bitten Aagaard Christina Mikkelsen DBDS genetic consortium Henrik Ullum Janna Nissen Jakob Thaning Bay Khoa Manh Dinh Mie Topholm Bruun Sisse Rye Ostrowski Thomas Werge Andrew J. Schork Ole Birger Pedersen Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic Scientific Reports |
| title | Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | nationwide longitudinal study reveals impact of both national restriction levels and genetic risk factors on loneliness during the covid 19 pandemic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02293-4 |
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