Can a volunteer-based befriending service reduce loneliness and social isolation and improve mental health in older people? A quasi-experimental effectiveness study of existing non-governmental befriending services in Denmark

Abstract

Abstract Befriending services are a widespread intervention that is mainly implemented in community and residential settings to counter social disconnectedness in older adults. The services involves a structured relationship (e.g. weekly visits and agreed upon in-house or out-of-house activities) between a befriender, who is most often a volunteer, and a befriendee, who lack social connections or experience loneliness. Social and humanitarian non-governmental organisations are the primary provider of these services, playing a vital role in supporting and connecting older adults worldwide. Previous research on befriending services has been limited by non-controlled study designs, small sample sizes, high attrition rates, and poor measurement. Additionally, befriendees often face vulnerabilities related to their physical and mental health, which pose significant barriers for research in this field. These limitations highlight that befriending services remain poorly understood, particularly regarding their effectiveness in improving social connections and reducing loneliness. This presentation provides a brief overview of current knowledge on befriending services for older adults, leading to the introduction of an ongoing nationwide effectiveness study of the befriending services provided by two Danish social and humanitarian non-governmental organisations. The quasi-experimental, pragmatic study design will be thoroughly introduced, discussing opportunities and challenges when evaluating large-scale volunteer-driven interventions in a real-world setting. This will involve reflecting on critical methodological decisions, such as the study design, selection of outcome measures, and implementation of procedural steps to minimize attrition.