## Introduction A recent study has discovered that young adults face a high level of social isolation, despite having a large network of friends. The research, published on PLOS One, analyzed data from two surveys of American residents and found that social well-being is higher among young and old adults, while intermediate-aged adults have lower levels. Social well-being refers to the quality of relationships, sense of belonging, social support, and ability to function effectively within a community. It is supported by trust, reciprocity, social cohesion, and access to support networks. In addition, it is characterized by feelings of being accepted, valued, and connected to others, as well as opportunities for meaningful participation in social relationships. Social ill-being, on the other hand, refers to conditions and experiences that undermine healthy social function and connection. It includes social isolation, feeling disconnected, discrimination, marginalization, and chronic conflict. Social ill-being often arises from structural factors such as poverty, inequality, exclusive institutions, or crises of community trust. At an individual level, it can manifest as alienation, lack of support, or persistent interpersonal stress. The author of the study, Jeffrey A. Hall, and his collaborators wanted to explore how social well-being and ill-being vary with age. They also wanted to understand what social circumstances, life changes, and attitudes towards relationships are typical among individuals with different levels of social well-being and ill-being. Researchers analyzed data from two groups of American adults recruited by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI), a leading national research organization on public opinion. These groups were surveyed in 2022 and 2023. The 2022 group included 2,034 participants, while the 2023 group included 2,243 individuals. By the end of the year, these samples were supplemented with university students, including a random sample of those aged 18-21 and students over 22. With the addition of students, the total number of participants whose data was used in this study is 4,812. In comparison to the general US population, young adults were overrepresented, while older adults were underrepresented in this group. The average age of participants was approximately 44 years. About 57% were women and 88% identified as LGBTQ+. Regarding relationship status, 31% were single, while 44% were married or cohabiting. During the study, social ill-being was measured by aggregating measures of disconnection and isolation. Social well-being was measured using measures of social connection, companionship, social support, and number of friends (derived from a naming task in which participants listed their friends). Participants who named at least one friend responded to a series of questions about their relationships with those friends. The results showed that participants who reported higher levels of social well-being also reported lower perceived stress and tended to have more friends. Individuals who reported higher levels of social ill-being tended to report lower well-being and fewer friends. They were also more likely to report losing contact with a friend. Older adults tended to report lower levels of social ill-being (disconnection and isolation). In contrast, indicators of social well-being were higher for young and old adults, while those for intermediate-aged adults were lower. The number of friends was highest in early adulthood, decreased during the late twenties, and reached its lowest point in middle age (45-60). It then gradually increased among older adults. «This publication suggests that social isolation among young adults is not without connection, companionship, and friendship, but rather characterized by rapid changes in life and a lack of relational permanence and routine», concludes the research team. The study contributes to our scientific understanding of factors associated with social well-being. However, it is essential to note that this study was not longitudinal but transational. This means that ages were represented by different people, not the same individuals observed over their lifetime. As a result, it remains unknown whether age-related observations represent changes in age or differences between generations. The paper, «Lonely and connected in emerging adulthood: The ambivalence of sociality in a time of transitions», was published by authors Jeffrey A. Hall, Natalie Pennington, and Amanda J. Holmstrom.