Risk factors for loneliness: A literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Increasingly, loneliness is being recognised as a serious problem with detrimental effects on health, as well as on social cohesion and community trust. To effectively tackle this complex issue, a clear understanding of the phenomenon and its main drivers is needed. Over years of scientific research on loneliness, many potential risk factors have emerged and been tested empirically.

Objective

This narrative review of 109 studies provides a concise summary of empirical evidence on the main potential risk factors for loneliness and presents an additional section dedicated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Given the very large number of existing studies, emphasis is placed on recent meta-analyses and systematic literature reviews as well as longitudinal studies.

SUBMITTER: Barjakova M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10523154 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature