Is mobility linked to higher or lower loneliness? The importance of freedom and stability

How is interpersonal and intergroup mobility related to loneliness? Past studies on the association between mobility and loneliness have provided mixed results. We argue that it is crucial to disentangle different facets of mobility to understand the link between mobility and loneliness. Whereas the opportunities and freedom inherent in a mobile society would be linked to lower loneliness, the disruption of long-term, familiar relationships and life associated with a mobile society would be linked to higher loneliness. We developed an intersubjective scale to measure the latter facet (i.e., community stability) and examined how different measures of mobility are associated with loneliness. In Study 1, by recruiting adult samples stratified based on age, gender, and regions across Japan (n = 881), we found both community stability and relational mobility were associated with lower loneliness, while residential mobility was associated with higher loneliness. Mediation analyses found that social isolation mediated the links between mobility and loneliness, though the direct links remained. In Study 2, we replicated most of the findings across Japan and the U.S., in larger samples stratified based on age, gender, and regions (n = 4,163 in total). These findings suggest that the link between mobility and loneliness depends on the facets of mobility. Potential implications for identifying effective interventions aimed at preventing loneliness would be discussed.