Increasing loneliness in Japan, 1983–2023: a cross-temporal meta-analysis

Loneliness and social isolation have become crucial in Japan, but research on how loneliness has changed over time is lacking. This study conducted a cross-temporal meta-analysis to address this gap. Studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, J-Stage, and CiNii; exclusion criteria were missing means, absence of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, unclear year of study, duplicate data, and lack of sample size or clear scale use. We identified an overall increase in loneliness between 1983 and 2023, particularly among adolescents. Regression analysis indicated that developmental stage, number of scale items, and type of Japanese translation of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were related to loneliness trends. While male participants consistently reported higher loneliness, results suggested a more significant increase among female participants. Some social indicators were associated with changes in loneliness. Despite various contributing factors, the underlying causes remain unclear, highlighting the need for further research.