Daily reading linked to lower loneliness in older adults, study finds
Feb 23rd 2026
Analysis of 31,935 Europeans aged 54 and older shows daily reading is associated with reduced loneliness, especially for those with very few close confidants, and may offer more protection than some monthly group activities.
- The study used data from 31,935 community dwelling adults aged 54 and older in the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe.
- Older adults who reported reading daily had lower loneliness scores, with the effect strongest for people with very small networks of close confidants.
- Researchers adjusted for prior loneliness, health, internet use, personality, and changes in network size, and the reading link remained.
- Daily reading showed a stronger association with lower loneliness than many monthly organized social activities in the analysis.
- The effects were modest and the data are observational, so the study cannot prove reading causes reduced loneliness.
- Authors propose reading may help through immersive narrative engagement and by increasing satisfaction with existing social networks.
- Researchers recommend promoting sustainable solitary hobbies and testing other activities and digital formats in future studies.