Statistically, who is MOST apt to feel lonely?

Feeling lonely is often associated with various life stages and the transitions that individuals experience during those periods. In this scenario, a freshman at a residential college, like Iris, is likely to experience significant adjustments as they transition from high school to college. This transition can be marked by leaving familiar social environments, encountering new peer groups, and facing the pressures of establishing new connections in an often large and unfamiliar setting.

College freshmen frequently have to navigate the challenges of forming friendships while dealing with the stress of academic demands and the move away from home. As they seek to integrate into campus life, it is not uncommon for freshmen to feel isolated during this period of adjustment, particularly if they struggle to make those new connections quickly.

In contrast, the other individuals listed are less likely to be in a period of such significant social transition. A senior in high school may have established social networks, while a middle-aged professional may have been in their career long enough to have formed stable social connections. A retired teacher is likely to have experienced the transition to retirement and may have developed strategies to maintain social ties, or may even have more free time to engage with others. Thus, statistically analyzing the loneliness experienced during these distinct life stages indicates that college freshmen are often the most vulnerable to feelings