Social scientists released a three-year study that showed more Americans than ever are living alone.

In much earlier times generations often lived together. Now, it’s difficult to find a family where three generations live together.

In the neighborhood where I grew up, it was commonplace to have grandparents living with adult children and their families.

Twenty years ago I tried to find a multi-generational household for a feature story I was doing. I couldn’t find one.

That made me realize social changes were causing more people to live alone.

“It’s just a stunning social change,” said Eric Klinenberg, social scientist at New York University and author of the book, “Going Solo.”

He said he’s come to realize it’s the biggest demographic change in the century.

Social changes over time include a declining birth rate, more mobility as people leave their hometown for jobs, a tendency to marry later and more people living longer lives.

Most of us don’t give any of that a second thought until it affects us. While younger people tend to welcome their independence at living alone, it becomes a problem for many as they age. The older you are, the harder it is.

But there is also a great difference in how people view being alone. I look at my own siblings as a perfect example.

I am a true extrovert. Given a choice, I will always pick being with people.

When I think of prisoners stuck in solitary confinement with no one for company, I view it as the ultimate punishment.

There are times in my own life when I’ve been stuck in the house without people contact so I run out to the mailbox or go for a neighborhood walk just to have people around.

I definitely need people.

My brother, on the other hand, claims he’s an introvert, one who only tolerates people on a limited basis. He lives alone and claims that’s fine with him.

I don’t entirely believe him.

I notice when he spends time with his daughter or friend he laughs more and even his voice changes. It’s more buoyant and he sounds happier.

But I do admit he definitely needs his alone time. That might be why he bought a mountain cabin.

My sister Cindy, who takes care of her two toddler grandchildren, longs for some alone time. Private time to go to the bathroom would be nice, she says.

I think all that illustrates that age and circumstances have much to do with whether or not you enjoy or dislike being alone.

I don’t think anyone could dislike being alone more than my sister Maryann. She had a demanding job and had to interact with people every hour of her work day.

One would think she would relish being alone for some downtime after work.

Instead, she avoided it like a patch of poison ivy.

She could never stand silence in the house, not even when she was sleeping. The television had to be blasting at night long.

Psychologists tell us fear of being alone is the most common fear.

They also tell us introverts need more alone time while extroverts rarely crave time alone.

In general, they claim, most people avoid alone time as much as they can.

Scientists say we don’ just desire social relationships. We actually require social relationships for our physical and mental health.

That sure applies to me.

When the trash collector drove by this morning while I was in the yard, he blew the horn and smiled.

That was the smallest social interaction I could have. Yet, it made me smile. I relish all people interactions.

Scientists point out that from the beginning of time humans were wired for connections.

Many working people in their 50s and 60s thrive on living alone while older retired folks say they get too much alone time.

We all have different standards for how much alone time is too much. Again, it depends on social circumstances.

In the past when I wrote about being overwhelmed with too much to do as I tried to juggle work with fun, I received emails from some readers telling me I was lucky to have so much to do.

I think they were right because once I slowed down I found myself wishing I had some of that past busyness.

As we get older we have to work harder to stay busy. As friends pass away or move away, it’s harder to replace them.

After COVID altered my people contact, I lost my connection with many of my activity friends. When I do talk to them I hear the same story. They are no longer as active as they once were. It all adds up to having to work harder to maintain social contacts.

Living alone is a risk factor for loneliness and social isolation.

While research shows intentional alone time can be relaxing, too much alone time is tough for many to handle.

One friend said he’s thinking about marrying again because he’s been too lonely since his wife died. He’s not sure if it’s the right move but he says anything has to be better than his acute loneliness.

I’ve been sitting here researching and writing all day. Now I’m going out to look for my people fix.

How about you. How do you react to being alone?

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net