A new Pew Research Center survey highlights the differences in how men and women navigate loneliness, emotional support, and social connections. Despite similar rates of loneliness, women are more likely than men to draw on a broader network for support and maintain frequent communication with friends.
The nationally representative study of 6,204 U.S. adults, conducted in September 2024, found that 16% of Americans feel lonely all or most of the time, with similar shares of men and women reporting these feelings. Loneliness is more common among younger adults, those with lower incomes, and individuals with less education.
When it comes to emotional support, 74% of adults said they would turn to a spouse or partner, with no significant gender difference. However, women were more likely than men to seek support from a variety of sources, including friends (54% vs. 38%), their mothers (54% vs. 42%), and other family members (44% vs. 26%). Women were also more likely to consult a mental health professional (22% vs. 16%).
“This gender gap in support networks reflects differences in how men and women maintain social ties,” said Kim Parker, director of social trends research at Pew.
Men and women communicate differently with their friends as well. Among those with at least one close friend, women are more likely than men to send texts, interact on social media, or talk on the phone at least a few times a week. However, men slightly outpace women in seeing friends in person (31% vs. 28%).
The survey also found generational and racial differences in attitudes toward mental health. Younger adults, as well as Black and Hispanic respondents, were more likely than older and White respondents to say they would seek help from a mental health professional.
Pew’s findings come amid growing public awareness of the importance of social connections for mental health. The report suggests that fostering broader support networks and encouraging open communication may help alleviate loneliness and improve emotional well-being for all Americans.
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