The prevalence of loneliness across 113 countries: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e067068 - e067068

Published: Feb. 9, 2022

Abstract Objectives To identify data availability, gaps, and patterns for population level prevalence of loneliness globally, to summarise estimates within World Health Organization regions when feasible through meta-analysis, examine temporal trends in countries where exist. Design Systematic review meta-analysis. Data sources Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus peer reviewed literature, Google Scholar Open Grey grey supplemented by backward reference searching (to 1 September 2021) Eligibility criteria selecting studies Observational based on nationally representative samples (n≥292), validated instruments, 2000-19. Two researchers independently extracted assessed the risk bias using Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted subset with relatively homogeneous research methods measurement instrument, age group, WHO region. Results Prevalence were available 113 or territories, according official nomenclature regions, from 57 studies. adolescents (12-17 years) 77 young adults (18-29 30 countries, middle aged (30-59 32 older (≥60 40 countries. all groups except lacking outside Europe. Overall, 212 106 24 included meta-analyses. The pooled ranged 9.2% (95% confidence interval 6.8% 12.4%) South-East Asia 14.4% (12.2% 17.1%) Eastern Mediterranean For adults, European region only, a consistent geographical pattern shown adult groups. lowest consistently observed northern (2.9%, 1.8% 4.5% adults; 2.7%, 2.4% 3.0% 5.2%, 4.2% 6.5% adults) highest eastern (7.5%, 5.9% 9.4% 9.6%, 7.7% 12.0% 21.3%, 18.7% 24.2% adults). Conclusion Problematic levels are experienced substantial proportion many difference coverage between high income (particularly Europe) low raised an important equity issue. Evidence is insufficient. findings this limited scarcity methodological heterogeneity. Loneliness should be incorporated into general health surveillance broader coverage, standardised tools. registration PROSPERO CRD42019131448.

Language: Английский

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Investigating the Relationships between COVID-19 Quality of Life, Loneliness, Happiness, and Internet Addiction among K-12 Teachers and School Administrators—A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(3), P. 1052 - 1052

Published: Jan. 18, 2022

It is well acknowledged that the roles of both school administrators and teachers have changed due to global education crisis caused by COVID-19. During this challenging critical period, it essential investigate how those working in sector who undertake strategic tasks for sustainable are affected new conditions brought about COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates interrelationships between quality life, loneliness, happiness, Internet addiction. The research was designed according relational survey model, conducted with 432 K-12 schools. data collected through online questionnaires, structural equation modelling (SEM) used test analyze proposed hypotheses. study's results revealed a positive relationship related life loneliness significantly positively predicts In context, impact on quality, participants' levels increased, increase them become addicted using Internet. Interestingly, also determined exists happiness as individuals their level increased. many studies prior pandemic, negative happiness. current during two variables positive. SEM directly affects addiction, teachers. Furthermore, addiction indirectly

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Cognitive Aging: A Narrative Review

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 699 - 714

Published: June 13, 2023

Social concepts such as loneliness and social isolation are fairly new factors that have been recently gaining attention to their involvement in changes cognitive function association with dementia. The primary aim of this narrative review was describe the current understanding how influence aging they linked Studies shown there is an between loneliness, isolation, reduced function, older adults, across multiple domains, well a heightened risk Numerous underlying neural biomechanisms including cortisol secretion brain volume alterations (e.g., white/grey matter, hippocampus) may contribute these relationships. However, due poor quality research, mixed inconclusive findings, issues accurately defining measuring more consistent high-quality interventions needed determine whether studies addressing can impact longer term This especially important given long-term COVID-19 pandemic on people yet be fully understood.

Language: Английский

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The impact of COVID‐19 on the peer relationships of adolescents around the world: A rapid systematic review

Journal of Research on Adolescence, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2024

Abstract The main objective of this rapid systematic review was to examine how the COVID‐19 pandemic impacted peer relationships for adolescents (10–25 years age) around globe. We focused on four indices relationships: (1) loneliness, (2) social connectedness, (3) support, and (4) media use. In addition, we examined gender age differences. Four databases (APA PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Web Science) were searched articles published from January 2020 November 2022. A total 96 studies (cross‐sectional: n = 66, longitudinal: 30, quantitative: 67, qualitative: 12, mixed‐methods: 17) met our inclusion criteria (empirical observational with data at least one interest, cross‐sectional COVID‐19‐related experiences or longitudinal collected during pandemic, range 10–25 years, typically developing adolescents). extracted conducted a narrative synthesis. Findings suggest that disruptions negatively youth. Most reported either an increase in loneliness over course positive association between experiences. Similar findings observed increased use as means continued communication connection. Fewer support but those did decrease negative Lastly, mixed impact which might be due strengthening closer ties weakening more distant relationships. Results differences mixed, comparison across ages not possible. heterogeneity measures well timing collection prevented nuanced examination short long‐term impacts.

Language: Английский

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A controlled evaluation of social prescribing on loneliness for adults in Queensland: 8-week outcomes

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: April 12, 2024

Introduction There have been few controlled evaluations of Social Prescribing (SP), in which link workers support lonely individuals to engage with community-based social activities. This study reports early outcomes a trial comparing General Practitioner treatment-as-usual (TAU) TAU combined (SP) adults experiencing loneliness Queensland. Methods Participants were 114 who non-randomly assigned one two conditions (SP, n = 63; TAU, 51) and assessed at baseline 8 weeks, on primary (loneliness, well-being, health service use past 2 months) secondary (social anxiety, psychological distress, trust). Results Retention was high (79.4%) the SP condition. Time × condition interaction effects found for trust, improvement observed only participants over 8-week period. reported significant all other small-to-moderate effect sizes (ULS-8 loneliness, wellbeing, anxiety). However, did not reach significance. Discussion prescribing small moderate follow up. Group-based activities are available communities across Australia, however, further research using well-matched control samples longer-term ups required provide robust evidence wider roll out.

Language: Английский

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Disrupted and Disconnected Post Disaster: Associations Between the Social and Built Environment and Loneliness During COVID-19 in a U.S. Gulf Coast Sample

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(2), P. 203 - 203

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Loneliness, a significant public health issue, was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in disaster-prone regions like U.S. Gulf Coast. This study examined how social and built environmental factors were associated with pandemic-related disruptions loneliness among respondents from third wave of Survey Trauma, Resilience, Opportunity Neighborhoods (STRONG). Using retrospective measure (pre-pandemic vs. pandemic), we found that increased significantly pandemic. routine behavior measures both objective (e.g., parks, walkability, etc.) subjective neighborhood safety, cohesion, factors, to daily routines strongly predicted higher loneliness, measures, such as lacking post-disaster support, more salient predictors than number parks one's neighborhood. Difficulty accessing green spaces housing distress linked greater disruptions, indirectly contributing loneliness. These findings highlight importance safe, supportive, accessible physical environments mitigating enhancing community resilience crises.

Language: Английский

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Changes in Prevalence of Mental Illness Among US Adults During Compared with Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 45(1), P. 1 - 28

Published: Nov. 12, 2021

Language: Английский

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Social cohesion and loneliness are associated with the antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination

Brain Behavior and Immunity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 103, P. 179 - 185

Published: April 22, 2022

Recent research has suggested that psychosocial factors influence the antibody response to vaccine, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccines. Here we investigated whether social cohesion and loneliness were predictive of a single dose COVID-19 vaccine. We also tested if association between was mediated by feelings loneliness. Participants (N = 676) data extracted from March 2021 wave Understanding Society study UK. Relevant socio-demographics, health lifestyle, loneliness, indices used in series hierarchical linear regression test our main hypotheses. After controlling for covariates (e.g., age chronic conditions), lower associated with response. Further, poorer responses loneliness; those reporting reported higher which turn This confirms 'being it together' relate strength vaccination, emphasising importance agenda during pandemic.

Language: Английский

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The physical and mental health consequences of social isolation and loneliness in the context of COVID-19

Current Opinion in Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 35(5), P. 305 - 310

Published: July 5, 2022

Purpose of review Social isolation and loneliness are known contributors to all-cause mortality as well a range physical mental health conditions. Therefore, this article reviews current literature pertaining the effects social on during COVID-19 pandemic. Recent findings contribute myriad Specifically development cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer. However, most research indicated that poor lifestyle factors explained association. also associated with cognitive problems including dementia, immune system problems, Further spur behavioral issues significantly affect health. Summary Evidence suggests have significant consequences individual move toward ending all protections against has implications for vulnerable. similarities between compared some conditions evident in long-COVID.

Language: Английский

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Patterns of Internet Use, and Associations with Loneliness, amongst Middle-Aged and Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10(7), P. 1179 - 1179

Published: June 23, 2022

Loneliness among older adults is a major societal problem with consequences for health and wellbeing; this has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The present study investigated associations between internet use, including frequency type of loneliness in large UK sample middle-aged adults, aged 55–75 (n = 3500) from English Longitudinal Study Ageing (ELSA) cohort study. Our findings indicated clear relationship use subjective loneliness. Those who used more than once day reported feeling less lonely those week or less. We also found that e-mail communication were lonely. However, individuals higher levels when was information searches about health. Regarding sociodemographic factors underlying usage, frequent seen amongst lived alone, people not employed, had lower education levels, status. Additionally, gender differences use: males report using females, while females’ health-related males. In sum, suggest intervention strategies promote access could be useful tackling point to groups within society should focus such interventions.

Language: Английский

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