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Psychological impact of social isolation

07 April 2020 | Story Dr Jacques Jordaan | Photo Supplied

All South African citizens are by now aware of the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. Our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, placed the entire country in a state of lockdown to limit the spread of the virus in South Africa. Schools, tertiary institutions, churches, and numerous businesses (which do not provide essential services) had to close. The lockdown aims to ensure that citizens stay at home, isolate themselves from others, and that those who can work from home should do so. The consequence and reality, however, is physical and social isolation, which of course also means that many people are currently alone and lonely.

Working from home
There are several benefits to working from home; for example, you can manage your own time, work in comfortable clothes, and you can work undisturbed and with less interruptions. Although the lockdown – and thus social isolation – will only last for (maybe) 21 days, there are psychological disadvantages associated with social isolation. Many people could soon become discouraged and demotivated because of the time away from others due to social isolation. Social isolation is the absence of social interaction, contact, and relationships with loved ones, colleagues, strangers, and even society as a whole. Humans, by nature, are social beings who strive towards social interaction with others, and social interaction is essential for people's well-being and survival. Although it is also natural to occasionally seek alone time, the effect of social isolation can have negative consequences for the emotional well-being of individuals.

Consequences of social isolation
Studies have shown that long-term social isolation has dire consequences for people's physical and mental health, such as increased risk of premature death and higher tendencies towards depression. Still, social isolation – even for a few weeks – can also have a negative psychological impact on people's lives. Social isolation can lead to feelings of despair and loneliness, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and sleep difficulties. Furthermore, in times of social isolation, individuals tend to exhibit more forms of unhealthy behavior than usual, such as smoking and drinking more alcohol. Feelings of loneliness tend to worsen when individuals are isolated with people with whom they do not have a close relationship and, therefore, loneliness becomes a more significant struggle during times of social isolation. This can turn into a vicious cycle, leading to more loneliness and depression if not dealt with. During these isolation periods, individuals may even become complacent, and consequently do not have goals and routines.

Social isolation will, however, affect people differently. More extroverted people will long for social engagement with others and might feel as if they want to climb the walls. They will just want to go shopping and spend time with others. More introverted individuals may enjoy this alone time and spend time taking long baths and reading books. However, everyone will start to experience social isolation negatively at some point. Families will, for example, not be used to these extended periods together, and this may lead to increased conflict between family members. Individuals with big homes can spend time in their gardens and exercise on their lawns, but what about those individuals living in overcrowded flats or informal accommodations. Such individuals may be more inclined to experience depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Individuals with drinking and smoking habits may become more dependent on these substances during the lockdown. Also keep in mind those individuals who have small children who are now home for several weeks and need to be kept busy and entertained by their parents. Parents are not used to being responsible for keeping their children busy productively.

Socializing through social media
People might still be fine and feel good now, but we have not yet reached the halfway point of the lockdown, and how will individuals cope if the lockdown is extended. There is, of course, hope. It is important to remember that although people are currently isolated, they can still attempt to be social by using various forms of social media. Recent studies have shown that individuals may experience less loneliness when interacting with others through various forms of social media. Accordingly, individuals need to make more contact with others and reach out to those that they have not heard from in a while. Social interaction is crucial, as many of us need social interaction to cope with daily challenges. However, also beware of negative content or fake news. Social interaction via the internet might not fulfil everyone’s needs as with interpersonal communication and interaction, but it still allows us to experience a sense of congregation and community.

Stay positive
The reality is, however, that many people also do not have access to the internet and social media, and therefore cannot communicate with others. It then becomes essential that people should continue with certain routines in their lives and to not just sit in front of the television. People still have to set goals (even smaller goals) for themselves and try to achieve them. Everyone should try to change their perspective by trying to stay positive. People need to attempt any form of exercise and keep their minds occupied with books or brain games. Fortunately, when it comes to children, most schools have provided parents with study material to keep their children busy educationally. Alternatively, parents should create some form of structure and routine for their children during the lockdown. Families can play board games and create their own fun activities. Children should also be allowed to engage with their friends via social media if they become lonely. And parents should allow their children to share their worries and concerns openly. Individuals need to be prepared, because when this mandatory period of isolation ends, everyone will have to resume their normal activities.

Get help
If not addressed, these experiences of overwhelming loneliness, sadness or lack of meaning may continue long after the lockdown has ended. Individuals who experience depression and loneliness after the lockdown should reach out to others, try to eat healthy foods, do fun things, and exercise more. Such individuals should also consider contacting mental healthcare professionals for assistance. They can also visit the South African Depression and Anxiety Group's website or Facebook page for help.

Social distancing is vital at this stage, but as South African citizens, we must remember that we are not going through this alone. We are isolated from others, but together we are all fighting the same battle against COVID-19.

Opinion article by Dr Jacques Jordaan, Lecturer and Undergraduate Coordinator: Psychology Programme Director: B.Soc.Sc. Faculty: The Humanities, University of the Free State

News Archive

Research into surrogate milk important to wildlife conservation

2017-05-08

Prof Gary Osthoff from the UFS Department of
Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology,
will soon work on a milk formula for elephants.
Photo: Supplied

Research is being done at the University of the Free State (UFS) to analyse and synthetically imitate the unique milk of various wildlife species. This research is not only of scientific value, but also serves the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife species. At the forefront of this research is Prof Garry Osthoff from the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology.

Orphaned rhino calf pulled through with surrogate milk
“There is still a lot of research to be done. Naturally the research is of scientific importance, but with surrogate milk having the same composition as the mother’s milk of a specific species, orphaned calves or cubs of that species could be pulled through during a difficult time of weaning. Bearing in mind that exotic animals fetch thousands and even millions of rands at auctions, it goes without saying a game farmer will do everything possible to provide only the best nourishment to such an orphaned animal. In such a case, synthetically-manufactured milk would be the right choice,” says Prof Osthoff.

The fruits of his research were recently demonstrated in Germany when a rhino calf was left orphaned in the Leipzig Zoo. Prof Osthoff’s article: “Milk composition of a free-ranging white rhinoceros during late lactation” was used as a directive for applying surrogate milk for horse foals (which is already commercially available), since the composition of horse and rhino milk largely corresponds. The surrogate milk was used with great success and the rhino calf is flourishing. He mentions that such an orphan is often given the wrong nourishment with the best intentions, resulting in the starvation of the animal despite the amount of cow’s milk it devours.

With surrogate milk having the same
composition as the mother’s milk of a
specific species, orphaned calves or
cubs of that species could be pulled
through during the difficult time
of weaning.

Milk formula for baby elephants in the pipeline
With baby elephants left orphaned due to the increase in elephant poaching for their ivory, several attempts have been made to create a milk formula in order to feed these elephants. To date, many elephants have died in captivity from side effects such as diarrhoea as a result of the surrogate formula which they were fed.

Prof Osthoff recently received a consignment of frozen milk which he, together with researchers from Zimbabwe, will use to work on a milk formula for elephants. They are studying the milk in a full lactation period of two years. During lactation, the composition of the milk changes to such an extent that a single surrogate formula will not be sufficient. Four different formulas should probably be designed.

Prof Osthoff says that of the different species he has researched, elephants are the most interesting and deviate most from the known species.

Although his research to develop surrogate milk is adding much value to the wildlife industry, and although he finds this part of his work very exciting, his research focus is on food science and nutrition. “What is currently authentic in milk research is the study of the fat globules with content, the structure and composition of the casein micelle, and the prebiotic sugars. The knowledge which is gained helps to improve the processing, development of new food products, and development of food products for health purposes,” says Prof Osthoff.

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