Loneliness in the Modern Era: Understanding, Addressing, and Enhancing Social Connections for Quality of Life
Main Article Content
Abstract
Loneliness is a pervasive and multifaceted issue that exerts a significant influence on an individual's quality of life across different stages of adulthood. In contemporary society, the erosion of social connections and meaningful relationships has contributed to the widespread prevalence of loneliness. This systematic review aims to explore the intricate relationship between loneliness and quality of life, with a specific emphasis on various age groups within the adult lifespan. By synthesizing recent studies, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of how loneliness impacts quality of life and identifies key factors that contribute to loneliness at different stages of adulthood. Furthermore, the article outlines effective interventions and strategies that have proven successful in reducing loneliness and fostering strong social connections. Recognizing the profound impact of loneliness on overall well-being, it is imperative that we prioritize the cultivation of deep and meaningful relationships. By dedicating time, energy, and empathy to nurturing these connections, we can restore the richness and vitality they bring to our lives, leading to greater happiness and fulfilment. This review highlights the importance of addressing loneliness as a critical component of enhancing quality of life throughout the adult lifespan.
Article Details
References
Achterbergh, L., Pitman, A., Birken, M., Pearce, E., Sno, H., & Johnson, S. (2020). The experience of loneliness among young people with depression: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 1-23.
Arvidsdotter, T., Marklund, B., Kylén, S., Taft, C., & Ekman, I. (2016). Understanding persons with psychological distress in primary health care. Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 30(4), 687-694.
Barbosa Neves, B., Franz, R., Judges, R., Beermann, C., & Baecker, R. (2019). Can digital technology enhance social connectedness among older adults? A feasibility study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38(1), 49-72.
Blazer, D. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness in older adults—a mental health/public health challenge. JAMA psychiatry, 77(10), 990-991.
Brewer, G., & Kerslake, J. (2015). Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness. Computers in human behavior, 48, 255-260.
Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2018). The growing problem of loneliness. The Lancet, 391(10119), 426.
Cacioppo, J. T., Cacioppo, S., Capitanio, J. P., & Cole, S. W. (2015). The neuroendocrinology of social isolation. Annual review of psychology, 66, 733-767.
Cacioppo, J. T., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: Human nature and the need for social connection. WW Norton & Company.
Colantone, I., Crino, R., & Ogliari, L. (2019). Globalization and mental distress. Journal of International Economics, 119, 181-207.
Dahlberg, L., McKee, K. J., Frank, A., & Naseer, M. (2022). A systematic review of longitudinal risk factors for loneliness in older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 26(2), 225-249.
Dinh, J. V., Reyes, D. L., Kayga, L., Lindgren, C., Feitosa, J., & Salas, E. (2021). Developing team trust: Leader insights for virtual settings. Organizational Dynamics, 50(1), 100846.
Domenech-Abella, J., Mundo, J., Leonardi, M., Chatterji, S., Tobiasz-Adamczyk, B., Koskinen, S., ... & Olaya, B. (2020). Loneliness and depression among older European adults: The role of perceived neighborhood built environment. Health & place, 62, 102280.
Dubey, A., Bhasin, S., Gupta, N., & Sharma, N. (2011). A study of elderly living in old age home and within family set-up in Jammu. Studies on Home and Community Science, 5(2), 93-98.
Dunn, L. B., Iglewicz, A., & Moutier, C. (2008). A conceptual model of medical student well-being: promoting resilience and preventing burnout. Academic Psychiatry, 32, 44-53.
Finlay, J. M., Meltzer, G., Cannon, M., & Kobayashi, L. C. (2022). Aging in place during a pandemic: Neighborhood engagement and environments since the COVID-19 pandemic onset. The Gerontologist, 62(4), 504-518.
Garg, S., Aggarwal, D., Upadhyay, S. K., Kumar, G., & Singh, G. (2020). Effect of COVID-19 on school education system: Challenges and opportunities to adopt online teaching and learning. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 8(6), 10-17.
Geirdal, A. Ø., Ruffolo, M., Leung, J., Thygesen, H., Price, D., Bonsaksen, T., & Schoultz, M. (2021). Mental health, quality of life, wellbeing, loneliness and use of social media in a time of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-country comparative study. Journal of Mental Health, 30(2), 148-155.
Giri, S. P., & Dubey, A. (2023). Loneliness in the time of COVID-19: an alarming rise. The Lancet, 401(10394), 2107-2108.
Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of behavioral medicine, 40(2), 218-227.
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
Khan, O. F., & Fazili, A. I. (2016). Work life balance: A conceptual review. Journal of Strategic Human Resource Management, 5(2).
Klinenberg, E. (2018). Palaces for the people: How social infrastructure can help fight inequality, polarization, and the decline of civic life. Crown.
Labonté, R., Mohindra, K., & Schrecker, T. (2011). The growing impact of globalization for health and public health practice. Annual review of public health, 32, 263-283.
Lee, C. M., Cadigan, J. M., & Rhew, I. C. (2020). Increases in loneliness among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and association with increases in mental health problems. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(5), 714-717.
Leigh-Hunt, N., Bagguley, D., Bash, K., Turner, V., Turnbull, S., Valtorta, N., & Caan, W. (2017). An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. Public health, 152, 157-171.
Lim, M. H., Rodebaugh, T. L., Zyphur, M. J., & Gleeson, J. F. (2016). Loneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety. Journal of abnormal psychology, 125(5), 620.
Loewenthal, D., & Winter, D. (Eds.). (2018). What is psychotherapeutic research?. Routledge.
Masi, C. M., Chen, H. Y., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2011). A meta-analysis of interventions to reduce loneliness. Personality and social psychology review, 15(3), 219-266.
Milbrandt, T., & Park, O. (2023). A Multidimensional Social Inquiry into the Loneliness Problem: Urbanization, Technological Mediation, and Neoliberal Individualism.
Moore, G., Fardghassemi, S., & Joffe, H. (2023). Wellbeing in the city: Young adults' sense of loneliness and social connection in deprived urban neighbourhoods. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 5, 100172.
Murat, M., Köse, S., & Savaşer, S. (2021). Determination of stress, depression and burnout levels of front‐line nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic. International journal of mental health nursing, 30(2), 533-543.
Naslund, J. A., & Deng, D. (2021). Addressing mental health stigma in low-income and middle-income countries: a new frontier for digital mental health. Ethics, Medicine and Public Health, 19, 100719.
Ong, A. D., Uchino, B. N., & Wethington, E. (2016). Loneliness and health in older adults: A mini-review and synthesis. Gerontology, 62(4), 443-449.
Pasin, T., Karatekin, B. D., & Pasin, O. (2023). Pain, Anxiety, and Quality of Life of COVID-19 Survivors with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A cross sectional study. Pain Management Nursing.
Perissinotto, C., Holt‐Lunstad, J., Periyakoil, V. S., & Covinsky, K. (2019). A practical approach to assessing and mitigating loneliness and isolation in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 657-662.
Prizeman, K., Weinstein, N., & McCabe, C. (2023). Effects of mental health stigma on loneliness, social isolation, and relationships in young people with depression symptoms. BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 527.
Qualter, P., Vanhalst, J., Harris, R., Van Roekel, E., Lodder, G., Bangee, M., ... & Verhagen, M. (2015). Loneliness across the life span. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 250-264.
Snell, K. D. M. (2017). The rise of living alone and loneliness in history. Social History, 42(1), 2-28.
Vasan, S., Eikelis, N., Lim, M. H., & Lambert, E. (2023). Evaluating the impact of loneliness and social isolation on health literacy and health-related factors in young adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.
Victor, C. R., & Yang, K. (2012). The prevalence of loneliness among adults: a case study of the United Kingdom. The Journal of psychology, 146(1-2), 85-104.
Whoqol Group. (1995). The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): position paper from the World Health Organization. Social science & medicine, 41(10), 1403-1409.