Personal character, on the one hand, and the spread of the Internet and instant messengers, on the other hand, are the main reasons behind loneliness in the modern times. Family and friends are a recipe against melancholy.
MOSCOW, February 15, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study devoted to loneliness.
An overwhelming majority of Russians (93%) do not feel lonely: many (62%) do not fear loneliness in and of itself. However bad moods are known to anyone and the best way to beat the blues is to communicate with friends and relatives (44%); movies, books, computer games (28%) as well as hobby can also be helpful (20%).
At the same time, 41% say that the number of lonely people in their place of residence has increased, and only 15% consider their number has decreased. According to respondents, elderly persons are more likely to feel lonely compared to young people (71% vs 32%).
Having relatives is an important factor that determines personal perceptions and feelings: 65% of respondents are confident that people feel lonely if they do not have friends and children; only 6% mention also people who have families among those who are lonely.
Public opinion concerning loneliness has dramatically changed. Whereas in 2010 the core of the matter was seen in the separation or loss of relatives (64%), in 2018 this factor seems to be less important (27%). Personal traits are considered crucial (eight years ago 40% of Russians thought so). This is followed by the spread of the Internet and technologies which replace live communication (14% in 2010 vs 34% in 2018).
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on January 12-13, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The 2010 results are base on household survey.
At different life periods people can feel lonely or, vice versa, be surrounded by close people and soul mates. Have you felt lonely lately? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Male | Female | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Rather yes, I don’t really have close people and soul mates | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Rather not, actually I have close people and soul mates | 93 | 92 | 95 | 92 | 96 | 92 | 93 | 94 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Are you afraid of loneliness or not? If yes, why are you afraid of being lonely? (open-ended question, not more than three answers % of all respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
I am not afraid of loneliness | 62 |
I am afraid of being alone ( fear of an uncertain future) | 8 |
Lack of close friends/relatives | 6 |
Lack of communications | 6 |
Fear of being unneeded | 4 |
Helplessness | 4 |
Old age / death | 2 |
Disease | 2 |
Stress/ self-analysis | 1 |
Boredom | 1 |
Fear to be disappointed with people | 1 |
Various phobias | 1 |
Loneliness itself frightens me | 1 |
Inaction | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 6 |
What do you usually do if you feel lonely? (closed-ended question, not more than 5 answers, % of all respondents) | ||
| 2010 | 2018 |
I communicate with friends, relatives | 52 | 44 |
I watch movies, read books or play computer games | 34 | 28 |
I do my hobby, do what I like | 16 | 20 |
I submerge myself in my work | 14 | 15 |
I try to find an interesting thing to do such as sport, some courses, training, et cet. | 8 | 11 |
I play with my pet | 10 | 10 |
I communicate on the Internet (chats, forums, et cet.) | 8 | 9 |
I go to public places (dance party, concert, exhibition et cet.) | 10 | 7 |
I go to church | 6 | 7 |
I pamper myself with something, some delicious food | 10 | 5 |
I find comfort in drinking alcohol | 4 | 2 |
I try to find new acquaintances, casual relationship | 3 | 2 |
Other | 3 | 13 |
I never feel lonely | 20 | 26 |
Don’t know | 2 | 0 |
In your opinion, over the recent five years has the number of lonely people in your city/town increased or decreased? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||
| 2010 | 2018 |
They have considerably increased | 18 | 25 |
They have slightly increased | 30 | 16 |
They have remained at the same level | 26 | 20 |
They have slightly decreased | 5 | 6 |
They have considerably decreased | 1 | 9 |
Don’t know | 20 | 24 |
In your opinion, do people often/ rarely or never feel lonely in modern Russia…? (closed-ended question, one answer per each line, % of all respondents) | ||||
| Persons who often feel lonely | Persons who rarely feel lonely | Persons who never feel lonely | Don’t know |
Elderly persons | 71 | 19 | 3 | 7 |
Those who have no family/children | 65 | 20 | 4 | 11 |
Young people | 32 | 41 | 14 | 13 |
Those who have family/ children | 6 | 49 | 39 | 6 |
In your opinion, why do people feel lonely? (closed-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of all respondents) | ||
| 2010 | 2018 |
Psychological traits: reserved demeanor, unsociable demeanor et cet. | 40 | 40 |
Spread of the Internet and other technologies which substitute for live communication | 14 | 34 |
Separation, loss of close relatives | 64 | 27 |
Money- and career-oriented attitudes, devalued live communication and friendly relationship | 21 | 25 |
Lack of free time, lack of time to communicate with people and build relationship | 17 | 19 |
High expectations, requirements for friends/ soul mates | 19 | 15 |
Failure to find a reliable and committed life partner | 27 | 15 |
Other | 2 | 10 |
Don’t know | 3 | 5 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!