Experience Of Loneliness Research Articles

독거 중년 미혼남성의 외로움 경험에 관한 현상학적 연구

Objectives This study attempted to deeply understand the experiences and nature of loneliness formed by mid-dle-aged unmarried men living alone from childhood to middle age. Methods To this end, five unmarried men in their 40s and 50s were interviewed individually twice from January 2023 to June 2023 to collect data, and Giorgi's phenomenological research method was used to focus on the phe-nomena experienced by research participants. Results As a result of the study, six components and 18 sub-components were derived from ‘loneliness sprouted by childhood wounds’,‘ wandering and accumulating loneliness in puberty’, ‘struggle for sief-reliance and lone-liness’, ‘excitement and conflict and loneliness of finding a spouse’, ‘frustration and increasing loneliness in mar-riage’, ‘acceptance and overcoming loneliness and pain’. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that the essence of the loneliness experience of middle-aged single men living alone is that they have an insight into their own isolated life with distrust, avoidance, and dependence on others due to their parents' inappropriate parenting attitudes and parenting environment in childhood. As a result, it will serve as basic data for expanding a broad understanding of the complex phenomenon of loneliness by illumi-nating individual experiences and social contexts, and preparing single-person household policies for mid-dle-aged single men and measures to live alone in old age.

1.M. Scientific session: Young and lonely – exploring experiences, challenges, and potential solutions

Abstract Experiencing loneliness is a natural facet of human existence, often considered a normative aspect of adolescent life. However, for some adolescents, this experience evolves into a ‘vicious circle’ of prolonged loneliness, making it challenging to reconnect with their social environment. This issue is important given the significance of fulfilling social relationships during adolescence. Peer relationships are particularly important in facilitating various developmental processes such as identity formation, asserting of autonomy from parental influence, and acquisition of social skills. Loneliness among adolescents is notably high, as evidenced by mounting research highlighting its prevalence in this age group surpassing other age groups. Research spanning adulthood and old age consistently demonstrates loneliness as a risk factor for both mental and physical health outcomes, including stress, depression, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. Even during adolescence, loneliness is associated with adverse mental and physical health, with potential long-term consequences extending into adulthood. These findings underscore the imperative of addressing adolescent loneliness and the need for effective interventions and widespread solutions tailored to this demographic. This workshop aims to address adolescent loneliness, exploring their experiences, challenges, and the consequences of loneliness, while also addressing possibilities for mitigation and prevention. Through three presentations followed by a joint discussion with the audience, participants will gain important insights into this critical issue. The workshop will be chaired by Asst. Prof. Julie Christiansen (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark, and University of Southern Denmark). Julie Christiansen will provide an introductory overview, describing current knowledge of adolescent loneliness including prevalence, ascendants, and consequences, based on findings from the Danish National Health Survey (How are you?”). The first presentation will be given by Lily Verity (University of Manchester, UK), who will present the findings from a qualitative research study with adolescents highlighting factors that influence their approach to coping with loneliness. Following this, Prof. Mathias Lasgaard (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark, and University of Southern Denmark) and Dr. Anne Friis Bo (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark) will provide an overview of the intervention landscape, including current knowledge on the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. The presentation will also highlight the potential of community-based approaches. This will be exemplified through an introduction to the Danish initiative ‘More Together’ including 36 partners in Silkeborg Municipality. Lastly, Ph.D. student Lauren Burke (University of Manchester, UK) will present the findings from a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of loneliness interventions for children and adolescents. Key messages • The prevalence of loneliness among adolescents surpasses that of other age groups, substantiated by extensive research spanning nations. • Loneliness during adolescence is potentially modifiable through targeted interventions.

Experiences of Loneliness and Connection for Autistic Young People: A Systematic Review

Experiences of Loneliness and Connection for Autistic Young People: A Systematic Review

Canadian perspectives on loneliness; digital communication as meaningful connection.

This perspective piece considers loneliness and its relationship to communication, connection, and technology by reviewing the origins and lessons from the field. It begins with a search for an operational definition, then examines the differences between experiential (situational/isolation-based) and existential (continuous, non-situational) loneliness. Technology is addressed as both a hindrance and a tool for alleviating loneliness with the example of companion robots as an emerging technology for loneliness mitigation. Cultural differences in experiences of loneliness, specifically as a public health issue, are in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Concepts of social and emotional loneliness, individualism and collectivism, socioeconomic status, vulnerability, and lived experience are explored and provide an emphasis on 'meaningful connection' in the study of loneliness.

Practical consciousness for avoiding elderly loneliness: Study in Surabaya City, East Java

Social change has an impact on changes within the family in terms of problems and needs. Modernization, industrialization, and urbanization create new problems for the elderly, such as reduced care and neglect due to the loss of the service provider role for the elderly. These conditions lead to elderly social degradation, and loneliness. This study aims to explore the experience of loneliness in the elderly and practical consciousness in managing loneliness. This qualitative research uses social phenomenology approach, and 19 elderly informants joined the research. The results showed that some elderly informants did not feel lonely despite living alone, but some elderly people also felt lonely although living with family. Practical consciousness of the elderly provides a good understanding as a strategy for how the elderly evaluate, and understand the social context around them and manage the loneliness experienced. Loneliness can reduce the well-being of the elderly, it takes the role of various parties such as family, community, and state to solve this problem. This study concludes that practical awareness in the elderly is one of the intervention strategies to avoid loneliness in the elderly.

Empty nest but better off? Association between empty nest status and cognitive function among older adults with chronic diseases in rural China

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment poses substantial risks to older adults, particularly those with chronic diseases. While existing studies have examined the connection between the empty nest phenomenon and cognitive function, few have attempted to consider endogeneity issues within this relationship, with limited attention given to older adults with chronic diseases. This study investigates the impact of empty nest status on cognitive function among rural Chinese older adults with chronic diseases and explores the possible mechanisms underlying this effect.MethodsA cross-sectional study involved 365 older adults aged 60 or above with chronic diseases in rural areas of Shaanxi province, northwest China. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Multiple regression models and the instrumental variable (IV) method were employed to examine the association between empty nest and cognitive function.ResultsAmong the 365 older adults aged 60 or above with chronic diseases, 43% experienced cognitive impairment. Results from both multiple regression and IV analyses consistently demonstrate a significant association between empty nest status and higher cognitive function scores (β = 1.757, p = 0.007; β = 3.682, p = 0.034, respectively). Mechanism analysis further supports that the positive association may arise from empty nesters receiving more social support from children and friends, and perceiving loneliness experiences as inadequate. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the association between empty nest status and cognitive function is more pronounced among male adults with chronic diseases.ConclusionsThis study challenges the notion that empty nest status is a risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults with chronic diseases in rural China. The positive impact is attributed to the robust social relationships of empty nesters, encompassing sustained support from their social network, and the absence of an increase in loneliness. Therefore, future interventions aimed at improving cognitive function in older adults may benefit from promoting the development of social relationships.

Parental conflict and adolescents' socially adverse emotions: the mediating role of family functioning.

To examine the process of how parental conflict and family functioning influence adolescents' socially adverse emotions (shyness and loneliness). Stratified cluster sampling was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 1,100 junior high school students from three junior high schools in Beijing, Chongqing, and Shijiazhuang, China. (1) The overall experience of adolescents' socially adverse emotions was at the moderate level; boys' experience of shyness and loneliness was significantly higher than that of girls; the experience of shyness and loneliness in the second grade was significantly higher than that in the first grade; (2) Parental conflict was significantly negatively correlated with family functioning and significantly positively correlated with adolescents' socially adverse emotions, while family functioning was significantly negatively correlated with adolescents' socially adverse emotions; (3) Family functioning partially mediates the relationship between parental conflict and adolescents' shyness and completely mediates the relationship between parental conflict and adolescents' loneliness. Compared to adolescents' shyness, family functioning plays a more important mediating role in the relationship between parental conflict and adolescents' loneliness.

The role of engagement and self-disclosure in mitigating loneliness: a study on women’s closed Facebook groups

Inspired by the uses and gratifications theory, this study examines the role of closed women’s Facebook groups in mediating the relationship between various forms of loneliness and perceived gratification among Israeli women. We surveyed 521 female participants to explore the mediating effect of engagement on loneliness and perceived gratification. Our findings suggest that these closed Facebook groups serve as significant platforms for interaction and personal disclosure, thereby contributing to the perceived importance of these groups in members’ lives. However, the results also show that these groups may not effectively alleviate social-emotional loneliness, and increased engagement within these groups does not significantly influence the relationship between loneliness and perceived gratification. In contrast, these groups act as alternative support systems for women experiencing family loneliness, with a heightened sense of gratification correlating with active participation. Despite these findings, the study reveals the limitations of these groups in addressing all forms of loneliness, underscoring the vital role of offline interactions. Therefore, these results highlight the need to further explore the interplay between online and offline spaces in shaping women’s experiences of loneliness and perceived gratification. The study also suggests that additional research is necessary to examine the applicability of these findings across different cultural contexts and a broader range of online groups.

The Relationship between the Subjective Feeling of Loneliness and Victim Behavior in Adolescence

The article examines the teenage period of development with its age-related crises and characteristics. Specific problems of adolescence are identified: the problem of loneliness and victimized behavior. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the subjective feeling of loneliness and victim behavior in adolescence. The phenomenon of loneliness is characterized as a multifaceted complex construct, and the features of the experience of loneliness in adolescence are revealed. Analyzing the connection between the types of experiences of loneliness and personal characteristics and behavioral manifestations in adolescence. Particular attention is paid to victim behavior. To confirm the hypothesis about the relationship between the subjective feeling of loneliness and victim behavior in adolescence, an empirical study was conducted in which 40 adolescents aged 15–16 years, 8th–9th grade students, took part. The results of the study confirm that the phenomena of propensity to victimized behavior and loneliness in adolescence are interrelated.

Sociodemographic and Health Determinants of Loneliness in Older Immigrants in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID pandemic brought to light the pressing issues of social isolation and loneliness for older adults. Immigrant older adults' experience of loneliness is even more exacerbated by factors, such as, language barriers, and the loss of cultural community. Key determinants of loneliness in older immigrants are not clear in the literature. A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine cities across Canada to: describe the experience of emotional, social and overall loneliness; and examine the determinants of loneliness among Punjabi, Mandarin, and Arabic-speaking older immigrants. A total of 647 older immigrants participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe their experience of loneliness, and multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the determinants of loneliness. Most participants had a post-secondary education, were married, and had been in Canada for about 16 years. On average, the participants reported good physical and mental health, and moderate levels of emotional, social, and overall loneliness. Ethnocultural group, emotional wellbeing, and depression were associated with emotional loneliness. Social loneliness was associated with education, depression, psychological distress, age, and ethnocultural group. Determinants of overall loneliness were age, gender, ethnocultural group, self-rated mental health, emotional wellbeing, depression, and psychological distress. Community based interventions that target these key factors must be designed to address loneliness experienced by older immigrants.

‘It’s my only hour of quiet’: the women’s online book club on ‘domestic noir’ during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Drawing on recent fieldwork from my doctoral research conducted with women readers over 3 months in the form of ‘domestic noir’ book clubs, this paper focuses on one of the women’s reading groups that was organized at the beginning of 2020. This study aims to understand women’s interaction, interpretation and experience with the crime subgenre read during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this book club, the domestic space became the focal point of the discussion on ‘domestic noir’ but also the participants’ experience of the pandemic. Domestic noir’s thematic portrayal of the dangerous and claustrophobic Gothic home, domestic violence as well as stereotyped femininity were highlighted during the discussions and functioned as a catalyst for exchanges of personal experiences of loneliness, gendered fears and burnout for the participants. The book club created community and solidarity with each other’s experiences, which raised their political consciousness through discussions. This article explores the ways in which participants read, discuss, construct and resist meaning making of domestic noir books. I argue that reading and discussing the domestic noir within these circumstances allowed participants to reflect on and relate to gendered experiences of the home, heightened gender inequalities and the fragility of women’s rights and positions.

Impact of Loneliness and Social Support on Acute Health Service Use and Symptom Exacerbation Among Adults with Asthma and COPD.

Loneliness and low social support are associated with negative health outcomes among adults with asthma or COPD. Although social support is correlated with loneliness, low social support is neither necessary nor sufficient for the experience of loneliness. This study compares the relative association of loneliness and social support on symptom exacerbation (i.e., acute deteriorations in respiratory health) and acute health service utilization (i.e., hospitalizations, emergency department visits) among 206 adults with asthma and 308 adults with COPD. Separate logistic regression models were used to simultaneously examine the association of loneliness and social support with each outcome. Among adults with asthma, loneliness was associated with greater odds of hospitalization (AOR = 2.81, 95%CI [1.13, 7.02]), while low social support was not (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI [0.78, 2.65]). However, neither loneliness nor social support were associated with any other acute health service use or symptom exacerbation among adults with asthma. Among adults with COPD, loneliness, and greater social support were associated with increased odds of symptom exacerbation (AOR = 1.67, 95%CI [1.03, 2.69]; AOR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.02, 1.83]) and hospitalization (AOR = 3.46, 95%CI [1.65, 7.24]; AOR = 1.92, 95%CI [1.15, 3.22]), but only social support was significantly associated with ED visits (AOR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.12, 2.66]). These findings support prior research demonstrating that loneliness and social support are related but separate determinants of patients' physical symptoms and service utilization.

Grief in Older Adults: A Concept Analysis

Objectives Grief is a human, universal, personal and multidimensional experience. Although studies have been conducted to describe grief, there is no consensus among scholars about its theoretical or empirical definition in older adults. This study aims to analyze the concept of grief in old age. Methods & Materials This is a review study that was conducted in eight steps using Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method. To find studies related to grief in the elderly, a search in online databases including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PsychInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE using keywords: Grief, mourn, bereavement, old, geriatric, aging, age, later life, seniors, nonagenarian, octogenarian and centenarian. Also, articles were examined without considering the time limit published until January 30, 2023. The search strategy, screening, and data reporting were done based the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results Of 5963 articles, 34 were included. According to the findings, grief had five features, “a unique phenomenon”, “negative emotional experience”, “physiological irritation”, “experience of loneliness”, and “loss of previous meanings”. Three antecedents of grief included: Loss of loved ones, loss of pets, spouse divorce, and loss of health. Four consequences of grief included health consequences, social consequences, financial consequences, and resiliency. Conclusion The provided definition of grief in older adults can help the health team understand the concept better and carry out investigations, interventions, and evaluations to improve the health of the elderly.

An Evaluation of the Important Aspects of Community Nursing Day Care Services for Older People, a Qualitative Review

Abstract Background Day Care Services can support healthy ageing and help prevent social isolation and loneliness amongst older people. However, there is little evidence about the aspects of Day Care Services that are most important and how it effects their overall health and wellbeing. This survey was developed to evaluate the benefits of Day Care Services from the perspectives of the service user. The aim was to: Methods The qualitative evaluation asked two questions. 7 Day Care Services participated, the survey was given to over 300 people and there was over 50% response rate. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes and opportunities for improvement. Results The participants described every aspect of Day Care Services as very important for them. It supports routine, social activity (“gets me out of the house”) and interaction (“meeting people”), provides meals and appropriate nursing interventions. Staff acted as “familiar faces” that can be approached easily and support their service user’s health and well-being. Overall, the majority of attendees would recommend Day Care Services to other people. Conclusion The findings suggest that all aspects of Day Care Services are important for older people to feel part of a community and have healthcare workers to support them on a regular basis. Day Care Services positively affect service users overall health and wellbeing, in particular the social aspect. This would suggest that Day Care Services play an important role in older people's experience of loneliness or social isolation.

Predictors Of Loneliness In Older Irish Adults And Its Relationship To Depression

Abstract Background Loneliness can affect up to 30% of older adults and is associated with increased morbidity and all cause mortality. Loneliness is also a major risk factor for depression. We aimed to explore the predictors of loneliness in older Irish adults and its relationship to depression. Methods Study participants were Irish adults aged >60 years in the Trinity Ulster University Department of Agriculture (TUDA) study. Participants with an MMSE <24 were excluded, to prevent the inclusion of individuals with dementia. Loneliness in the last week was identified from the 'loneliness' question in the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and considered present when experienced ≥1-2 days in the last week and absent when experienced rarely or none of the time. Depression was defined as a CES-D ≥16. Predictors of loneliness were explored in multinomial regression models as well as its association with depression. Results There were 4561 participants, 70% female, mean age 70.1 years and 21.6% experienced loneliness. Positive independent predictors of loneliness were living alone (OR 5.2, CI 4.41-6.14, p<0.001), female sex (OR 1.29, CI 1.07-1.56, p=0.009), timed up and go >12 seconds (OR 1.46-2.32, p<0.001) non-driving status (OR 1.37, CI 1.13-1.67, P=0.001) and lower MMSE (OR 0.57, CI 0.41-0.79, p=0.0006). Those who reported loneliness had a higher prevalence of depression (32.1 vs 3.3%, p<0.0001). Conclusion Living alone was, as expected, the greatest predictor of loneliness followed by physical frailty, non-driving status, female sex, and lower cognition. A high proportion (one third) who felt lonely had depression, though low mood may increase the perception of loneliness independent of social engagement. A limitation is that we did not have a specific validated tool to assess loneliness or to distinguish between `emotional' or `social' loneliness.

Developing a new tool to capture the nature dose to reduce loneliness and improve quality of life

Recognition of the health benefits of nature contact has increased. Simultaneously, growing numbers of people worldwide experience loneliness. There is a movement towards prescribing nature-based activities to improve/promote social connections, health, and quality of life. Yet, what constitutes a therapeutic nature dose is not well understood, due in part, to the lack of instruments that capture the characteristics of nature-based activities and measure ‘nature dose.’ We created a nature dose measurement tool to fill this gap by capturing various aspects of contact with nature and perceptions regarding park access, quality, naturalness, psychological distance to nature, and biodiversity. This tool will facilitate greater understanding of how natural areas, nature-based activities, and nature exposure reduce loneliness and promote health-related quality of life. Measuring nature dose with standardized tools and documenting benefits will generatethe evidence base needed to design, implement and evaluate nature-based social interventions for improving health and quality of life.•This tool captures the nature dose to reduce loneliness and promote quality of life.•Constructs range from park quality and access, to mood, to biodiversity perceptions.•The standardized nature dose tool will help design nature-based social interventions.

Context Matters: Internet Usage and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Later life is often categorized by higher-than-average levels of loneliness, but individual differences are vast and not well understood. Emerging evidence indicates that broad-based contextual factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic - and the use of the internet throughout - are differentially associated with the experience of loneliness. We therefore target internet usage and loneliness among middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic and examine the moderating role of age, gender, and limiting illness therein. We applied hierarchical regression models to data from the COVID-19 sub-study Wave 1 (June/July 2020) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N= 4,790; Mage= 70.2; SD= 9.0; range: 50-90; 43.5% male). Infrequent internet use was associated with less loneliness compared to very frequent users - an association that strengthened with age. Conversely, purpose of internet use was associated with more loneliness, with higher levels exhibited by those searching for health-related information - an effect stronger among those with a limiting illness. Findings imply that infrequent internet use may reduce loneliness, while health-related internet searches may increase loneliness among older adults with different physical capacities. Findings are contrary to pre-pandemic reports, underscoring the importance of broad-based contextual factors for understanding loneliness across adulthood and old age.

Experiences of social isolation and loneliness in chronic kidney disease: a secondary qualitative analysis.

Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience loneliness and social isolation, which are associated with a higher risk of mortality, morbidity, and poor mental health. We aimed to describe the perspectives of patients with CKD and their caregivers on loneliness and social isolation, to inform strategies to increase social participation. A secondary analysis of qualitative data from the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG) initiative dataset (36 focus groups, three Delphi surveys and seven consensus workshops) was conducted. We extracted and thematically analyzed data from patients with CKD, including those receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and those with a kidney transplant, as well as their caregivers, on the perspectives and experiences of loneliness and social isolation. Collectively the studies included 1261 patients and caregivers from 25 countries. Six themes were identified: restricted by the burdens of disease and treatment (withdrawing from social activities due to fatigue, consumed by the dialysis regimen, tethered to treatment, travel restrictions); external vulnerability (infection risk, anxiety of dining out); diminishing societal role (grieving loss of opportunities, social consequences of inability to work); fending for oneself in healthcare (no one to relate to, lost in uncertainty, unmet psychosocial needs); undermining self-esteem (unable to engage in activities which previously defined self, shame and self-consciousness about appearance, hindering confidence for intimate relationships); and feeling ostracized (disconnected by family and friends, fear of stigma and being misunderstood, guilt of burdening others). For patients with CKD and their caregivers, social participation is substantially impaired by the burden of CKD and its treatment, and fear of risks to health such as infection. This undermines patient and caregiver mental health, particularly self-esteem and sense of belonging. Additional interventions are needed to improve social connections among people with CKD and their caregivers.

“I Felt Like There Was Something Wrong in My Brain”: Growing Up with Trauma – How Young People Conceptualise, Self-Manage and Seek Help for Mental Health Problems

Abstract Background Youth mental health is an important global healthcare topic and early interventions that are timely and evidence-based to support young people can increase quality of life and lower deaths by suicide. Research exploring young people’s mental health experiences and how they manage can further understanding into help-seeking processes. Objective This study aimed to explore young people’s experiences of living with and managing mental health problems and how this impacts professional help-seeking. Methods Eighteen young people were recruited, aged 16–25 years, with experiences of help-seeking to services for mental health problems (N = 18). Data were analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory methods (Charmaz, Constructing grounded theory, 2014). Findings The findings were presented across three sub-categories: (1) “Early experiences”; (2) “Conceptualising mental health” and (3) “Managing mental health”. Findings expand understanding on the resource pressures that young people experience whilst managing persistent mental distress emanating from early experiences of trauma, life stressors, and developmental tasks. Findings also report lived experiences of pain, loneliness and stigma, and how individual conceptualisations of mental health are informed. The preference for self-reliance can be rooted in developmental needs or learned behaviours and how this impacts self-management and help seeking is discussed. Conclusion Through an enhanced understanding about how young people experience mental distress, developmental pressure points, marginalisation and stigma, mental health providers can prioritise individualised approaches to healthcare that can both respect a young person’s individual conceptualizations and positively leverage self-management strategies, which can contribute positively to young people’s development, quality of life, and healthcare outcomes.

Older persons making a life closure: experiences of loneliness in an academic nursing home – a phenomenological qualitative interview study

ABSTRACT Background Loneliness is a public health concern and more than half of the residents in nursing homes experience lonliness. Risk factors are age and loss of close relatives. Purpose This study aimed to describe experiences of loneliness among older people living in an academic nursing home. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten older people and data analysed with systematic text condensation inspired by a phenomenological approach. Results Three themes were identified: “Relatives and health care professionals matter”; “Acceptance and meaningful existence alleviate loneliness”; and “Challenges affecting the experience of loneliness”. The older persons described themselves as lonely, but their experience of loneliness differed. They managed loneliness by adapting to it or getting used to it; some also chose to be alone. To add meaningfulness to their daily life, talking about memories and their past were appriciated. Personality traits and variations in functional ability were identified as barriers to social interactions. Conclusions Health care professionals can reduce negative experiences of loneliness by listening to nursing home residents, creating a meaningful daily life with individualized activities, and by encouraging contacts with close relatives. This can be a way of maintaining older persons’ dignity and coping with the longing for what has been.