Persistence of loneliness and low self-esteem from adolescence through age 60 in the United States: results from the Monitoring the Future Panel Study

Key Points

• The study aims to understand how loneliness and low self-esteem persist from adolescence to age 60 in the U.S.
• Utilized data from the Monitoring the Future Panel Study
• Examined periods of loneliness and low self-esteem
• Analyzed the predictive relationship between adolescent distress and later life outcomes
• Most adults experience at least one episode of high loneliness or low self-esteem by age 60
• Early adulthood is crucial for accumulating risk related to mental health
• Adolescent distress strongly predicts later life mental health issues

Abstract