The American Sociological Review has found that Americans have a third fewer close friends and confidants than just two decades ago–a huge shift, statistically speaking. What to make of it? Uhhh, take your guess: suburbs vs. urban living, iPods vs. conversations….

USA Today via AOL:

Americans have a third fewer close friends and confidants than just two decades ago – a sign that people may be living lonelier, more isolated lives than in the past.

In 1985, the average American had three people in whom to confide matters that were important to them, says a study in today’s American Sociological Review. In 2004, that number dropped to two, and one in four had no close confidants at all.

“You usually don’t see that kind of big social change in a couple of decades,” says study co-author Lynn Smith-Lovin, professor of sociology at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

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