Study: Americans lonelier than ever

Study: Americans lonelier than ever

NEW YORK, July 2 (UPI) -- A sociological study from Duke and the University of Arizona found that most Americans have only two close confidantes, the New York Times reported Sunday.

With the rise of the Internet, an increase in work hours and long commutes, and technology that discourages face-to-face interaction, the average American's connection to his or her community is weakening, the Times reported from the study.

Despite the perceived decrease in meaningful social connections, the study also showed that the bond between spouses has grown stronger, partially due to the fact that more households are comprised of two working parents, the study said. The study also indicated that Americans use their entire social network when making a major life decision, the Times reported.

Dr. Robert Putnam, the author of "Bowling Alone," told the Times that that the increased use of technology is not a bad thing, as long as Americans use it to "strengthen and deepen relationships that we have offline."