However, data from the ONS showed a Another possibility is that loneliness amongst W-shaped pattern, with people of middle age middle-aged people has been underestimated in (45-54) reported to be the loneliest (see Fig. 1 previous research. Looking at the Fig. 2 below, below). Middle aged people (aged 45 to 54) were for example, there is a slight peak in reported the most likely to feel lonely of all age groups loneliness in the pre-retirement years (55-64) (15% in 2011 to 2012) and the least likely to for those who always feel lonely. Mid-life is an socialise, with nearly half (49%) reporting meeting important transition and often a stressful time, socially with family, friends or colleagues less burdened with simultaneous demands from work, than once a week (2012 to 2013) (Siegler et childcare and ageing parents, but also a time al. 2015). This discrepancy may be due to the where people re-evaluate and recalibrate their life, way the questions were asked. Most loneliness and might be more likely to suffer from mental research uses indirect measures, while the ONS health issues (Siegler et al. 2015). asked people directly about how lonely they felt. Younger and older people may feel reluctant to responding to direct questions. Fig. 1: Age, gender and loneliness in the UK (2006) Fig. 2: People reporting social interactions and feelings of loneliness in the UK by age group (Siegler et al. 2015) 35% 90% 30% 80% 70% 25% 60% 20% 50% 15% 40% 10% 30% 5% 20% 0% 10% <25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ 0% <25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ All Age in years Age in years Female always lonely Feeling lonely more than half, Female sometimes lonely most or all the time Male always lonely Meeting socially at least once a week Male sometimes lonely Isolation and loneliness 8