What are the benefits of reducing loneliness?

Background

Broadly, CSY has a mission to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness across society (see the tackling loneliness evidence gap review).

Next steps

Get in touch with csa@dcms.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DCMS areas of research interest GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • WWCW_Loneliness and Wellbeing Among Adolescents and Young Adults

    Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern, with research demonstrating links to poor physical health, increased use of health care services, and even early mortality. Although loneliness ha...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Glasgow

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project explores the impact of loneliness on personal wellbeing and mental health, which partially answers the question about the benefits of reducing loneliness.

  • Loneliness and social isolation in mental health: proposal for a network for cross-disciplinary collaboration and capacity development

    People are said to be lonely when they feel unpleasantly lacking in meaningful connections with other people. They are described as socially isolated when they have little social contact. Lonely people are more likely to...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University College London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project discusses the negative impacts of loneliness and social isolation on mental health, implying the benefits of reducing loneliness.

  • Loneliness in later life: a longitudinal analysis using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

    Research has consistently demonstrated that social relationships are key to a good quality of life in old age (Bowling 2005). Loneliness is one measure of compromised social relationships and is a significant problem for...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Brunel University London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project investigates the negative consequences of loneliness in older people, indirectly suggesting the benefits of reducing loneliness.

  • New perspectives on loneliness: developing theory, methodology and evidence for practice

    In a speech about older people to National Children and Adults Services (NCAS) conference on October 18th 2013 the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt highlighted the "problem of loneliness that in our busy lives we have u...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Brunel University London

  • Capturing loneliness across youth: Co-production of a new developmentally sensitive scale

    Loneliness is the uncomfortable feelings that arise when a person is not satisfied with the number of social contacts they have or the quality of their social relationships. Loneliness is not the same as social isolation...

    Funded by: SPF

    Lead research organisation: Queen Mary University of London

  • Social Science Designed Meaningful Friendships Service

    BuddyHub's 'Friendship Wheel' service is tackling the loneliness epidemic amongst older people. We surround a lonely older person with an intergenerational, supportive social group of 4, to help them rebuild their social...

    Funded by: ISCF

    Lead research organisation: BUDDYHUB C.I.C.

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses the benefits of reducing loneliness and provides a service to tackle loneliness among older people.