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'You do it just like your mom,' is a common phrase used for most of us who look or behave like or parents. Our genes are responsible for specific attributes that resemble our parents'. But are they even responsible for the anxiety and loneliness we feel? We may have many friends that are concerned for us, but we may still feel alone somewhere deep in our hearts. Is this because our parents felt the same?

Two people have the same kind of friends. But still one of them feels lonely even though both are in a similar situation. This led to the curiosity of finding a possible connection between biological factors and loneliness.

The study authored by Julie Aitken Schermer and Nicholas G Martin, ‘A behaviour genetic analysis of personality and loneliness, ‘ states that, "both loneliness and personality were found to be heritable. Bivariate genetic analyses resulted in significant positive genetic correlations between loneliness and neuroticism." This means just like diabetes, we could be inheriting the feeling of loneliness.

Loneliness can be contagious as well. Apart from inheriting biological loneliness, parents could also be influencing their children to be alone. Everything that happens while you are carrying a child affects the newborn. If children are exposed to their parent's feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or depression, they too have a chance of acquiring similar traits when they grow up.  

As parents, these are some precautions you could take to keep your child away from such negative feelings.

Postnatal post-traumatic stress is common after childbirth. When the woman is going through so many changes, both physically and mentally, it is apparent that the mother might develop stress and anxiety. In such a situation, the family must come together to welcome the newborn into a stress-free world while supporting the new mother. 

Even while growing up, a child should be treated with an environment that is away from negativity. Show your child, you will always be their support and keep no room for emotional negligence. If you notice any symptoms of loneliness in your child, counsel them towards finding their happiness. 

Whatever may be the cause, loneliness needs to be treated at the soonest as it has a massive impact on our physical and mental health systems. A child may develop a fear of socialization that could damage his self-esteem. It also weakens the immunity system and could bring along the risk of severe medical conditions like heart diseases. American society is succumbing to loneliness and the children should be prevented from its influence. It is much larger an issue and needs to be addressed with thoughtfulness at its earliest symptoms.