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Study Finds Daily Awe Experiences Linked to Reduced Loneliness

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Daily Awe Linked to Reduced Loneliness, Nature Connection a Factor

New research, published in Scientific Reports, investigated whether daily experiences of awe are associated with reduced same-day loneliness. The study also explored if feelings of connectedness to nature could partially explain this relationship.

On days participants reported higher-than-usual levels of awe, they also reported significantly lower loneliness on the same day.

Background on Loneliness and COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, healthcare workers reported high levels of distress and loneliness. Loneliness, characterized by insufficient social connection, has been linked to various adverse health outcomes. Researchers proposed that self-transcendent emotions, such as awe, which shift attention away from the self, might mitigate loneliness.

Methodology

Healthcare workers from Northern California and other nationwide institutions, along with community adults, were recruited in May 2020 during the U.S. pandemic lockdown. Participants completed a baseline survey for loneliness, awe, and demographics. Following an online orientation, they engaged in 22 consecutive days of daily diary surveys in June 2020.

Daily measures included self-reported levels of awe, loneliness (using a shortened UCLA Loneliness Scale), and connectedness to nature or the environment. Other positive emotions were also recorded and statistically controlled to isolate awe's specific effects. Data analysis involved hierarchical linear modeling and multilevel mediation analyses.

Key Findings

  • Awe and Loneliness Link: The final sample comprised 171 healthcare workers (3,412 observations) and 306 community participants (6,212 observations). Within-person analyses indicated that on days when participants reported higher-than-usual levels of awe, they also reported significantly lower loneliness on the same day. This association remained consistent across both healthcare and community samples, even after accounting for various baseline characteristics and other positive emotions.

  • Awe and Nature-Connectedness: Days with greater reported awe were also associated with increased feelings of connectedness to nature or the surrounding environment.

  • Partial Mediation: Multilevel mediation analyses showed that daily awe predicted higher nature-connectedness, which subsequently predicted lower same-day loneliness. This suggests that connectedness to nature partially mediates the relationship between awe and loneliness.

Implications and Limitations

While effect sizes were small, the consistency across diverse groups during a period of significant social isolation suggests awe may function as a psychological resource. The study's observational design, reliance on single-item measures for connectedness, and its pandemic-specific context limit causal inferences and broader generalization. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm if cultivating awe can lead to sustained reductions in loneliness or improvements in mental health.