That's really a useful finding that helps to connect the dots in the rapidly changing overall ecosystem of biosphere on Earth. I thought this pattern of diminishing social groups is specific to humans. But as usual, the phenomenon appears broader and more generic.

Education, jobs, desire for better living conditions did the damage for humans. Families became workers of the economies and were flung far apart.

For elephants, their distress is probably a direct result of their need for social grouping. A wild cat wouldn't have been affected by the lack of social groups.