Don't study alone! New research shows how loneliness impacts student health—and how universities can help

The negative impact of loneliness on health and well-being is well-known, but for university students, social interaction can also be key to academic success. A new study by Constructor University Professor Dr. Sonia Lippke and colleagues, published in the prestigious journal Frontiers of Psychology, analyzes the effects of student loneliness on health and academics and lays out concrete steps that universities can take to mitigate them.

For the study, Dr. Lippke recruited Constructor University students to complete a detailed anonymous survey on their health and well-being. Participants answered questions to assess their levels of loneliness, anxiety, depression, health literacy, social participation, and self-efficacy—the belief that they can achieve their own goals.  

The results showed that a startling 40% of surveyed university students struggle with loneliness, which affects both their private and academic life. That loneliness was linked to stress, poor coping behaviors, and low social participation.

“Loneliness doesn't just mean your social needs are unmet,” said Dr. Lippke. “It’s important that we understand loneliness as a complex result of environment, individual challenges, and behavior, with no single solution.”

The study also sought to discover if there was a link between loneliness and studying or working from home. In what may come as a surprise for some, both remote and in-person students had near-equal levels of loneliness, demonstrating that loneliness was not significantly different for students in regards to physical presence.

The survey’s findings were just the beginning: Dr. Lippke’s study aimed to not only analyze loneliness, stress, and health literacy amongst students, but also to determine what universities can do to mitigate the associated problems.

Not all stress is equal—especially for university students

Students already have many challenges to face in a university environment: academic pressure, social integration, adjustment to independence and adulthood—just to name a few. Furthermore, universities such as our own Constructor University can have incredibly diverse populations, adding extra challenges for students such as social and cultural adaptation, language barriers, and social uncertainty.

Studies have long shown social participation and a sense of belonging are directly linked to academic success, and Dr. Lippke’s is no exception. Her study showed a strong yet complex relationship between stress and loneliness. Moderate levels of stress increased social participation, while excessive stress hindered both healthy coping methods and social engagement.

“If you just look at how loneliness relates to other factors, you might get the impression that more stress leads to more loneliness, and that this, in turn, makes social participation more difficult,” said Dr. Lippke. “But it’s not that simple, because for students who manage to be well-integrated socially, positive stress—meaning stress up to a ‘healthy moderate level’—can actually promote greater social participation. In this case, this kind of positive stress, called eustress, acts as a push, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone or muster the courage to do what they’ve been meaning to do for a while.”

Stress is a natural part of life, and when moderated, eustress can actually be part of a balanced student experience, promoting personal growth and emotional development. However, Dr. Lippke notes that when stress goes unmoderated or becomes too severe, the effects can spiral out of control.  

“In contrast, for those who are already overwhelmed and have limited social connections, increased stress seems to contribute to them withdrawing even further. This can create a vicious cycle: greater withdrawal leads to fewer positive experiences and a feeling of being less self-effective, which in turn leads to feeling even more lonely.”

How universities can help

For higher education institutions, the results of the study are clear: isolated mental health initiatives are not enough, and comprehensive strategies are needed to foster supportive campus environments and social engagement. Student support services such as counseling, mentoring, and health programs are essential for helping students recognize their own symptoms and seek out help in a safe, inclusive way.

In the classroom, it’s clear that studying and submitting assignments in solitude is not enough to foster a sense of belonging—and that belonging is central to academic performance. Dr. Lippke’s study therefore encourages academic staff and educators to create inclusive learning environments that promote social interaction and collaboration.

On a broader scale, this study enforces the need for policymakers to recognize loneliness as a widespread community health issue. It is only by understanding the sources and impacts of loneliness and investing in evidence-based approaches for social connectivity that we can promote a healthier social structure, both within universities and beyond.

Loneliness 101: advice for struggling students

So, what advice does Dr. Lippke have for current students navigating a stressful international environment?

“Anyone entering a new environment should approach it with an open mind and the confidence that this is an exciting opportunity,” advised Dr. Lippke. “If you initially feel like you don’t really belong or ‘fit in,’ you should try to understand others and actively get involved. Withdrawing makes more sense if you want to relax on your own, but generally it helps to push yourself, even if it seems difficult at first to connect with others.”

Dr. Lippke also recommended the EASE strategy as a four-step path to building social connections:

• Extend yourself in small ways, such as volunteering for an hour;
• Action: create an action plan around your strengths and interests;
• Select people and places that match those interests; and
• Expect good things, since an open, optimistic mindset can lead to pleasant surprises.

“EASE is a good strategy for students—whether you’re moving to another country, immersing yourself in a new culture, or even just driving from Bremen to Bremerhaven.”

The full study is available to read on Frontiers of Psychology.