Can Events Impact on Social Connectedness and Loneliness? An Analysis of Face-To-Face and Virtual Events Attended in South Australia

Abstract

Festivals and events can be a platform for interactions and social connections. More recently, events have been linked to social well-being, assisting in reducing loneliness and increasing social connectedness. However, with the emergence of COVID-19, event attendance has been altered as people have been restricted from attending face-to-face events and virtual events have become a popular mode of events. This study, therefore, aims to examine whether the frequency and mode (face-to-face and virtual) of event attendance influence attendees??? feelings of loneliness and social connections. The survey results reveal the significant relationship between face-to-face event attendance and social connectedness. In contrast, the frequency of virtual event attendance was not found to have a significant effect on social connectedness or loneliness. The type of face-to-face and virtual events attended was also reported in the study, providing us with some understanding of event attendance amongst changing times.