Addressing loneliness in emerging adults in primary care: a pilot feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Research
• Mental Health Interventions
• Emerging Adult Health

Background:

• Loneliness is prevalent in emerging adults and linked to adverse health outcomes.
• Existing loneliness interventions are not widely adapted or tested in primary care.
• Primary care settings offer a potential avenue to reach this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test the feasibility and acceptability of adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and social prescribing (SP) interventions.
• To assess the preliminary impact of CBT and SP on reducing loneliness in emerging adults.
• To explore participants' experiences with these interventions in a primary care context.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving emerging adults (18-25) identified as lonely in primary care.
• Participants were assigned to virtual, five-week group interventions: CBT (N=6) or SP (N=9).
• Outcomes measured included loneliness (UCLA-3), depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7), supplemented by qualitative interviews.

Main Results:

• 14 of 15 participants completed their respective interventions.
• Both CBT and SP showed pre-post reductions in loneliness, depression, and anxiety, though not statistically significant.
• Qualitative analysis revealed themes on loneliness experiences, self-perceived changes, participation barriers/facilitators, and intervention suggestions.

Conclusions:

• Adapted CBT and SP interventions appear feasible for addressing loneliness in emerging adults within primary care.
• Larger sample sizes and pragmatic randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish intervention effectiveness.
• Primary care is a viable setting for implementing and testing loneliness interventions for young adults.