Imagining the path to social connectedness: loneliness-linked alterations in goal-directed mental simulation

Loneliness is a significant public health concern linked to poor mental and physical health. The present study investigated loneliness-linked alterations in goal-directed mental simulation involving imagining the steps one would take to achieve a goal state of social connectedness. Natural language processing (NLP) analyses of open descriptions from N = 1,071 participants across Australia were assessed alongside self-report ratings of mental imagery. Loneliness-linked individual differences in goal-directed mental simulation were examined across four domains: episodic detail richness, imagery perceptual vividness, emotional sentiment, and sociality. Results revealed that mental simulations reported by lonelier individuals were lower in internal episodic detail and imagery vividness, more emotionally negative, and were less social than those of less lonely individuals, with most associations persisting even after accounting for depression symptom level. Findings suggest lonely individuals may struggle to mentally simulate concrete, vivid, and emotionally rewarding future social interactions needed to alleviate feelings of loneliness.