A study led by Martina Luchetti, Ph.D., and Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., reveals that even short-term feelings of loneliness can affect how people perceive their memory and concentration.

Drawing on data from the National Study of Daily Experiences, the research team analyzed daily reports from 1,828 adults, average age 56, over an eight-day period. They found that individuals who felt lonelier, whether consistently or just on a given day, were more likely to report trouble concentrating, memory lapses, and frustration related to these experiences.

These findings suggest that loneliness, whether occasional or persistent, may play a role in how people experience their cognitive health, offering early clues about the potential risk for future cognitive decline.