The Cost of Loneliness in the Pursuit of Neoliberalism

From a social psychology perspective, principles of neoliberalism and dimensions of loneliness are positively associated across socioeconomic, sociopolitical, and sociocultural domains. Despite neoliberalism endorsing economic and entrepreneurial freedom, a persistent loneliness epidemic is in effect, as loneliness is linked to physical and psychological health risks. Drawing on theories rooted in community psychology, behavioural response models, and socioeconomic analysis, it is proposed that neoliberalism normalizes a culture of loneliness, enables loneliness behaviours and responses, and institutionalizes systemic alienation. Through a review of empirical quantitative and qualitative studies, it was found that conditions of neoliberal individualism produce feelings of loneliness and related health risks compared to conditions of collectivism. Divisive loneliness behaviours and maladaptive coping mechanisms are consequences of the neoliberal commodification of social interactions. Stigmatized alienation and the decline of an individual’s social value are the results of neoliberal emphasis on self-autonomy and entrepreneurship. The implications of these findings call for a return towards greater social cohesion, promotion of healthier participation in consumerism, and institutions making concerted efforts to utilize policies for the social benefit of individuals and communities. While a direct causal relationship between neoliberalism and loneliness is under-researched, the presented evidence in this article serves as a foundation for further investigation of the loneliness epidemic under a neoliberal capitalist context.