Prof. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an organ of the United Nations, and Vice-Rector of Üsküdar University, evaluated the relationship between loneliness and criminal behavior.
Loneliness as a risk factor
Noting that loneliness, defined as insufficient social connection, has become a significant area of interest in criminology, Prof. Sevil Atasoy said, “Recent research shows that loneliness is a psychological state affecting cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and social behaviors, all of which can influence criminal tendencies. As countries experience increasing social fragmentation due to rapid urbanization, digitalization, and demographic changes, understanding the relationship between loneliness and criminal behavior and recidivism is becoming increasingly important.”
Loneliness contributes to criminal acts
Prof. Atasoy, stating that loneliness is not objectively the same as social isolation but means “feeling” that you do not have sufficient social connections, continued:
“Criminological theories such as social control theory, strain theory, and labeling theory provide conceptual frameworks for loneliness. Travis Hirschi's social control theory suggests that weak bonds with family, school, and community reduce informal social control and increase the likelihood of deviance. Loneliness can be seen as evidence of weak attachment and belonging, which reduces internalized self-control. Studies in recent years support this view; for instance, they report that inmates experiencing chronic loneliness exhibit reduced emotional control, increased anxiety levels, and decreased empathy. Each of these is associated with delinquent behavior.”
Loneliness intensifies negative emotions and impulsivity
Prof. Atasoy also explained that recent psychological research shows loneliness intensifies negative emotions, impulsivity, and cognitive distortions, stating, “These emotional states can reduce empathy and increase risk-taking; both are linked to criminal behavior. Therefore, loneliness functions not just as a background condition, but as a psychological state that reduces behavioral inhibitions and increases susceptibility to antisocial influences. From a developmental perspective, loneliness exacerbates discontent, impulsivity, and negative emotions, and perhaps interacts with stress and trauma. Studies on incarcerated individuals show that loneliness is a strong predictor of increased psychological distress and aggression.”
Young people who are bullied have a higher risk of aggression and drug use
Prof. Atasoy pointed out that young people may feel lonely for extended periods when rejected by peers, bullied, or unable to learn social skills effectively, adding:
“Research shows that these young people are more likely to use drugs, be aggressive, and break laws. Furthermore, experiences of loneliness can occur alongside trauma, parental neglect, or emotional abuse. In these contexts, loneliness becomes both an indicator and a consequence of environmental risk factors already associated with crime. Insecure attachment patterns developed in a lonely childhood predict poor emotion regulation and externalizing behaviors in adulthood, reinforcing the developmental link between loneliness and criminal activity. Of course, not all socially isolated young people engage in criminal activities; however, loneliness serves as a precursor to criminal behavior by increasing the likelihood of acceptance within delinquent peer groups.”
Prof. Atasoy stated that institutional isolation in young people was found to lead to depressive feelings linked with loneliness, which in turn can cause actions that increase a person's likelihood of committing crimes. He added, “Similarly, feeling unable to fit in makes one more prone to engage in dangerous online activities such as hacking and cyberbullying.”
Adults experiencing loneliness may tend to join deviant subcultures
Prof. Sevil Atasoy also noted that adults experiencing loneliness may try to find out who they are and where they belong by joining deviant subcultures or engaging in malicious activities, stating, “Recent research shows that those who feel a lack of social support are more prone to violence and recidivism. Loneliness can also lead to substance abuse, a major risk factor for crime, as it makes it difficult for people to cope with emotional distress. Loneliness also changes people's online behavior. Researchers have shown that socially isolated individuals are more prone to committing cybercrimes, harassing others, and participating in extremist online forums where they can meet people anonymously instead of real people.”
The elderly can also indirectly contribute to crime
Prof. Atasoy also explained that while older adults generally have lower crime rates, loneliness in old age has been associated with victimization by fraud, substance abuse, and in rare cases, outbursts of violence stemming from accumulated frustration or deteriorating mental health. He added, “Furthermore, loneliness can indirectly contribute to crime through the deterioration of mental health, such as depression, cognitive impairment, and reduced impulse control.”
Loneliness does not directly cause violence
Stating, “Loneliness does not directly cause violence; however, it is associated with increased frustration, anger, and the perception of threat,” Prof. Atasoy continued, “Individuals who feel socially rejected may interpret ambiguous social cues as hostile; this is known as hostile attribution bias. This bias can escalate interpersonal conflicts into violent incidents. Research conducted with individuals in prisons reveals that many felt extreme and chronic loneliness before committing crimes.”
Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that digital environments offer socially isolated individuals spaces where anonymity and low social barriers enable new forms of crime. He said, “Lonely users are more prone to cyberbullying, online harassment, hacking, and the consumption of illegal materials. While the internet can reduce loneliness by offering community, it also facilitates deviant expressions. Loneliness is a strong predictor of substance abuse, which in turn increases the risk of drug-related crimes, impairs decision-making ability, and leads to involvement in criminal networks. Substance use can be a means of self-medicating social pain; however, it often further exacerbates social disconnection, creating a cycle of loneliness and criminality.”
Prisons are places where loneliness is intense
Prof. Atasoy stated that prisons are places where loneliness is both more intense and concrete, and continued:
“Comparative studies in recent years reveal that inmates frequently experience loneliness to a degree similar to that encountered during COVID-19 quarantine. These findings indicate that social restrictions in prisons are not only punitive but also psychologically harmful. Lonely inmates are more prone to despair, violence, and less likely to participate in rehabilitation programs. Recidivists suffer significantly from loneliness due to stigma, disrupted family relationships, and repeated institutionalization. A 2025 case study on serial offenders revealed that prolonged loneliness makes it difficult to desist from criminal activities. Many individuals feel structurally lonely after release because they are unemployed, ostracized, and have severed family ties. Such experiences increase the likelihood of subsequent criminal behavior. This situation highlights the necessity of social integration techniques in crime prevention.”
Loneliness is both a cause and a consequence of crime
Prof. Atasoy also noted that loneliness is linked to victimization, stating, “A 2023 study on crime victims revealed that those who had been raped or physically assaulted felt significantly more lonely. The feeling of loneliness can make it difficult to seek help and may increase the likelihood of revictimization. This cyclical connection helps us better understand loneliness as both a cause and a consequence of crime. Individuals who perceive a high incidence of crime in their areas may feel even more isolated.”
Prevention methods aimed at reducing loneliness
Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that while not everyone who is lonely commits crimes, loneliness is a significant risk factor, and added, “Detailed measures must be taken to address this. Interventions in education can help young people feel a sense of belonging and learn how to manage their emotions. Through community events, people can get to know each other and fear crime less. Reforms in prison rules should acknowledge the importance of time spent with family members, limit solitary confinement, and conduct rehabilitation in groups. Reintegration programs should provide social support networks to help people avoid loneliness and re-incarceration. By promoting digital literacy and creating guidelines for online communities, efforts should be made to reduce cybercrimes caused by isolation. These policy measures align with a broad public health strategy for crime prevention, viewing loneliness not as a consequence of poverty but as a modifiable risk factor.”
Addressing loneliness can reduce crimes
Prof. Sevil Atasoy explained that loneliness is not a direct cause of crime but affects emotional, cognitive, and social vulnerabilities that can result in criminal activity, victimization, or recidivism. He concluded, “Research emphasizes loneliness as a dynamic and context-sensitive phenomenon, especially in prisons, marginalized groups, and among those with insufficient social support. Understanding this relationship enables the development of more effective preventive policies that prioritize social connections as the foundation of public safety and rehabilitation. As the world becomes increasingly fragmented, addressing loneliness may be one of the best strategies to reduce crimes.”
