Self-initiated strategies for managing loneliness: insights from two large-scale surveys

Most of the research on reducing loneliness has taken a deficit-based approach that focuses on formal interventions rather than an asset-based approach that empowers individuals to manage their own loneliness. There is little understanding of the self-initiated strategies individuals use to manage their loneliness, and a lack of clarity on how perceived effectiveness and use of those strategies differs across sociodemographic characteristics.

Secondary analysis of two large-scale datasets (BBC Loneliness Experiment and EU Loneliness Survey) was conducted to explore self-initiated loneliness management strategies implemented and perceived to be effective by individuals ages 16 to 99 years who reported frequent loneliness (N = 18354). Respondents selected the strategies they used from a list of 12 pre-defined options in the EU dataset, and the strategies they perceived as effective from a list of 21 options in the BBC dataset. Frequencies of use and perceived effectiveness for each strategy were calculated, and binary logistic regression analyses assessed whether gender, age, income, and geographical region were significant predictors of strategy use and perceived effectiveness.

The most frequently used strategies were seeing friends, family members or other loved ones (31.8%) and taking time for yourself (28.9%). The strategies most frequently perceived as effective were finding activities to distract you when on your own (58.5%) and dedicating time to work, study, or hobbies (52.6%). A strategy used infrequently was contacting a specialized charity (5.3%), and introducing yourself to neighbors (9.5%) was least often perceived as effective. Gender, age, income, and region significantly predicted the use and perceived effectiveness of different strategies.

Individuals experiencing loneliness engage in and perceive as effective various self-initiated, unstructured strategies to manage their loneliness. Future research should consider integrating an asset-based approach that explores the experiences of self-initiated loneliness management, understands the choice of these strategies, and determines their effectiveness to inform future policy and practice.