Public Health Guidelines for Social Connection: An International Delphi Study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Social Science

Background:

• Loneliness and social isolation pose significant health risks, comparable to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition.
• Promoting social connection is a global public health priority.
• Evidence-based guidelines are needed to address the health impacts of social disconnection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop recommended public health guidelines for social connection.
• Utilized a Delphi methodology for expert consensus.

Main Methods:

• Recruited experts from diverse Psychology subfields.
• Conducted a multi-round Delphi process with thematic analysis and expert ratings.
• Refined guidelines through focus groups based on ≥80% expert endorsement.

Main Results:

• Developed 12 guidelines: six for individuals and six for communities.
• Community guidelines focus on awareness, social-emotional development, policy, environment design, accessibility, and measuring wellbeing.
• Individual guidelines emphasize lifelong priority, positive outlook, diverse networks, meaningful interactions, relationship development, and wise technology use.

Conclusions:

• Expert-informed guidelines provide a framework for strengthening social wellbeing.
• These guidelines can advance individual and population-level efforts to combat loneliness and isolation.
• The guidelines offer actionable strategies for enhancing social connection.