Tom Osborn1, Peter Weatherburn2, Rebecca S French2. 1. Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK; Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK. Electronic address: thomas.osborn1@alumni.lshtm.ac.uk. 2. Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is prevalent and associated with negative health outcomes in young people. Our understanding of how it can be best addressed is limited. This systematic review aims to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of interventions to reduce and prevent loneliness and social isolation in young people. METHODS: Six bibliographic databases were searched; references of included studies were screened for relevant literature. A pre-defined framework was used for data extraction. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: 9,358 unique references were identified; 28 publications from 16 interventions met the inclusion criteria. The majority of interventions were high intensity, individual or small group interventions, often targeted at specific 'at risk' populations. While 14 interventions were associated with a statistically significant reduction in loneliness or social isolation, the heterogeneous measures of loneliness, small sample sizes, short periods of follow-up and high attrition rates limit evidence on effectiveness. Interventions implemented in more general populations of young people appeared more acceptable than those in specific 'at risk' populations. CONCLUSION: High intensity interventions are unlikely to be feasible at a population level. Further work is required to develop and evaluate theoretically-informed loneliness interventions for young people that reach wider audiences.
INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is prevalent and associated with negative health outcomes in young people. Our understanding of how it can be best addressed is limited. This systematic review aims to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of interventions to reduce and prevent loneliness and social isolation in young people. METHODS: Six bibliographic databases were searched; references of included studies were screened for relevant literature. A pre-defined framework was used for data extraction. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: 9,358 unique references were identified; 28 publications from 16 interventions met the inclusion criteria. The majority of interventions were high intensity, individual or small group interventions, often targeted at specific 'at risk' populations. While 14 interventions were associated with a statistically significant reduction in loneliness or social isolation, the heterogeneous measures of loneliness, small sample sizes, short periods of follow-up and high attrition rates limit evidence on effectiveness. Interventions implemented in more general populations of young people appeared more acceptable than those in specific 'at risk' populations. CONCLUSION: High intensity interventions are unlikely to be feasible at a population level. Further work is required to develop and evaluate theoretically-informed loneliness interventions for young people that reach wider audiences.
Authors: Yung-Chia Hsueh; Rachel Batchelor; Margaux Liebmann; Ashley Dhanani; Laura Vaughan; Anne-Kathrin Fett; Farhana Mann; Alexandra Pitman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-14 Impact factor: 4.614