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Risk factors for loneliness: A literature review
Martina Barjaková1, Andrea Garnero2, Béatrice d'Hombres3
1Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Italy.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|August 25, 2023
Summary
Loneliness is a serious health issue. Social relationships, particularly their quality and quantity, are key predictors of loneliness, a finding consistent even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern.
- It negatively impacts individual health, social cohesion, and community trust.
- Understanding its drivers is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical evidence on the primary risk factors for loneliness.
- To summarize findings from recent meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and longitudinal studies.
- To examine loneliness risk factors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of 109 studies.
- Focus on recent meta-analyses, systematic literature reviews, and longitudinal studies.
- Geographical focus on Europe and North America.
Main Results:
- Demographic factors show correlations but often become negligible when controlling for other variables.
- Physical and mental health issues, along with psychological factors like neuroticism, are associated with loneliness.
- The quantity and quality of social relationships, including marital status and social network characteristics, are the strongest predictors.
Conclusions:
- Social relationship quality and quantity are paramount in predicting loneliness.
- These predictors remained consistent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Identifying vulnerable groups is essential for developing targeted policy solutions to address loneliness.
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