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Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis
B T Bryan1, G Andrews1,2, K N Thompson1
1Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|January 29, 2024
Summary
Workplace loneliness negatively impacts job performance, satisfaction, and relationships, increasing burnout. Interventions targeting the work environment may help mitigate these effects.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Loneliness is a recognized risk factor for mental and physical health issues, yet workplace loneliness remains under-researched.
- Understanding the implications of workplace loneliness is crucial for both employees and employers.
Approach:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across five major databases for studies published between 2000 and 2023.
- Quantitative data were analyzed using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis, while qualitative data underwent thematic synthesis.
- The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool was employed to assess the quality of the evidence.
Key Points:
- Workplace loneliness is associated with decreased job performance (r=-0.35), reduced job satisfaction (r=-0.34), and poorer worker-manager relationships (r=-0.31).
- Elevated burnout (r=0.39) and links to inadequate social interactions and mental health issues were also identified.
- Most studies were cross-sectional, limiting the ability to establish causality.
Conclusions:
- Loneliness at work is linked to diminished occupational functioning and well-being.
- The work environment presents potential opportunities for interventions to address workplace loneliness.
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