Loneliness References
Amen, Daniel G. (2022) You Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based On Your Brain Type. Illinois: Tyndale
Dr Amen has developed a study of brain types through his psychiatric studies. He states that use the power of neuroscience to boost happiness, energy, and productivity.
We are experiencing an unhappiness epidemic which is associated with heart disease, premature aging, weight gain, damage to the immune system, addictions, depression, and memory issues.
B., Minaa. (2023) Owning Our Struggles: A Path To Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World. United States: A TarcherPerigree Book.
Many times we feel alone in our pain, but we cannot heal in isolation. “ The best way to move past individual trauma is through connection and community- healing ourselves and one another. Minaa is a licensed social worker and therapist. Through personal stories, proven practices and writing prompts for reflections and journaling Minaa helps her clients and gives power to heal a broken world.
Cacioppo, John T. & Patrick, William. 2008 loneliness: Human nature and the Need for Social Connection. New York: W.W, Norton.
One of the early researchers in loneliness. Cacioppo has several academic articles on lonely. He connects the brain with the need for socialization. The book contains many helpful short examples of compensating for loneliness. An example is the use of the volleyball in the movie Castaway as a companion ‘Wilson.”
Gibson, Lindsay C. (2015) Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents.
This book can help you validate your experiences and understand the source of your emotional pain. The specific parent-child dynamic focusses on how childhood emotional neglect shapes the adult child's behavior in all their relationships. This book does imply blaming and then the self, working through it to develop one’s own relationships.
Harris, Thomas A. (1967 I’m OK-You’re OK. New York: Harper
This book focuses on Transactional Analysis (TA). It identifies a framework of three ego states—Parent, Adult, and Child—that are present in everyone and influence interactions.
There is an emphasis on communication and helping each other, only recommending therapy when thigs are not manageable. Interesting how thoughts change and focus becomes following a way to change self and achieve relationships with others.
Statements like: “I am Important, You Are Important ,“ contrast the 21st century ideal of only self.
Killam, Kasley. (2024) The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing
Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. New York: Harper One.
Dr Killam is an expert in social health. The emphasis of the book is that along with exercise, eat a balance diet and go to therapy, wellness is also needs human connection. The importance of connection is focused in on community. The book gives strategies or habits on how to cultivate and sustain meaningful relationships. Develop a sense of a community in your neighborhood, at work, and online.
Kishimi, Ichiro & Koga, Fumitake (2013) The Courage To Be Disliked. New York: Atria Books
A discussion on a way to change one’s life. It reads as a conversation between a philosopher and a youth. The theories of Adler, Freud, and Jung are brought forth, in helping the youth understand how each of us are able to determine the direction of our life. To be free of the “shackles of past trauma and expectations of others.” Th text focuses on self-care, self-forgiveness, and mind decluttering. Therefore, ‘We are in charge of our own happiness.’
Kross, Ethan. (2025) Shift Managing Your Emotions-So They Don’t Manage You.
United States: Random House.
Dr Ethan Kross provides a framework for managing your emotions. The thought of that avoidance is always wrong or one needs to live in the moment may not always be the way to manage a situation. These patterns can add more struggle to managing our emotions. Examples are given and thought of associating the five senses and how we can overcome or at least deal with anxiety, loneliness etc.
Manson, Mark (2016) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck: A Counterintuitive Approach To Living A Good Life. Germany: Harper Collins.
Manson is a superstar blogger. He wants us to stop being told that the key to being happier is to be positive. All the time we need to become better at handling adversity. His thought appears very self- centered. We are to not “turn lemons into lemonade but on learning to better stomach lemons.” We are to get to know our limitations and accept them. His books have sold around 20 million copies, been translated into more than 65 languages, and reached number one in more than a dozen countries. In 2023, a feature film about his life and ideas was released worldwide by Universal Pictures. He has over 15 million annual readers of his blog and 1.6 million followers on Instagram.
Murthy, Vivek (2020) Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. New York: Harper.
Dr Murthy was the 19th Surgeon General serving under two presidents. He has made the famous statement, “During my years caring for patients, the most common condition I saw was not heart disease or diabetes, it was loneliness.” He concerns his thought discussing many areas of research on loneliness and its physical effects. This book also offers encouraging stories of making connection.
Nobel, Jeremy (2023) Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection. New York: Avery.
This book was published just after the effects of the pandemic. Dr Nobel addresses the effects of the pandemic and our situation of loneliness. The book also contains helpful information regarding loneliness with trauma, regarding PTSD and isolation. Also aging and the universal problem of the world not caring in regard to older adults. The chapter opens with a very sad but eye-opening story of a women not seen for years.
Pollock, Talia (2025) The Problem With Being A Person: How an Existentialish Philosophy Can Ground Us in Modern Chaos. New York : Tarcher.
One of the comments about the author description is the author, “talks too deeply with strangers.” Whether you’re grappling with existential questions, seeking to break free from societal expectations, or yearning for a deeper sense of fulfillment, The Problem with Being a Person offers a powerful message for prioritizing self-acceptance over self-improvement.
Putnam, Robert D. & Feldstein, Lewis M. (2003) Better Together: Restoring the American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Discusses how we no longer are building the dense webs of encounter and participation so vital to the health of ourselves, our families, and our politics.”
Some main points of change are
the explosion of electronic entertainment
the labor market changes that drew ever greater numbers of adults out of home-based unpaid work and into long hours of paid employment (especially women)
The suburban sprawl which placed communities of residence from our communities of work. (commutes increased).
Somewhat political but pointing out our problem of community still exists.
Putnam, Robert D. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community
New York: Simon & Schuster.
A groundbreaking work of politic science that shows how social bonds are the most powerful predictor of life satisfaction. This is an excellent source for society to realize where it was, what it has become, and what it needs to be. Still quite on track for the society in the 21st century and how we are drifting further apart.
Rein, Ben (2025) Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection. New York: Avery
The description for this book is “A neuroscientist’s guides to boosting your brain health by living a more socially connected life.” The book covers How socializing supports brain health and mood. Why isolation increases the risk of death by any cause. The neuroscience of empathy and love. Why the brain experiences virtual conversations differently from in-person ones. The science of likability and the secrets of making a positive impression. How relationships with animals support our health.
Rouner, Leroy S. (1998) Loneliness Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press
A collection of philosophies, literature, and cultural thoughts on loneliness.
Thoughts cover loneliness and solitude. Included are literature pieces by Elie Wiesel, Ruth Ann Putnam, Daniel Berrigan, Christopher Ricks. These writings include a discussion of the writing of Dorothy Day, discussions of intimacy, and the complexities of Buddhism.
Waldinger, Robert & Schulz, Marc. (2023) The Good Life: Lessons From The World’s Longest Scientific Study Of Happiness. New York: Simon & Schuster.
A report on the longest scientific study of happiness. The general findings are, “Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. The book also includes stories of some of the individuals that were in the study. It provides descriptions of all kinds of relationships and how personal relationships help us with resilience, happiness and meaning.
Weiss, Robert S. (1973) The Experience of Emotional and Social Isolation. The MIT Press
For a book written in 1973 the growing problem of loneliness is still occurring. The beginning of this book states;” loneliness is among the most common distresses In a survey conducted during that time one and four Americans answered that they are lonely. Dr. Weiss indicated that loneliness is more often mentioned by song writers than social scientists. Many individuals do not admit that they are lonely or that loneliness occurs often.