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Loneliness is a 'silent epidemic', challenging people's emotional and ontological sense of being in the world. Whilst loneliness has been the focus of medical and psychological research, often being synonymous with discourses of mental ill health, trauma and relationship breakdowns, it has remained under-theorised from a geographical perspective. In offering a critical engagement of how and where loneliness exists geographically, this paper identifies three key spatial dimensions that Geographers can proceed from. First, that loneliness is experienced relationally 'in place' through everyday practice and behaviour. Second, that loneliness has the capacity to infiltrate felt socio-emotional relationships and interactions. Third, that loneliness is multi-scalar, affecting bodies, families, friendships, workplaces, neighbourhoods and communities in diverse and intersecting ways. Focusing on farming and farm workers (a group recently referred to in the popular press as potentially facing isolation and loneliness) we draw on interviews with young UK farmers to examine how loneliness can be expressed through labour and routine, how farming loneliness becomes entrenched in the spaces of farming practice and habitus and the relational (and contested) responsibilities of farming communities in identifying, supporting and mediating problem loneliness in increasingly solitary contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seclusion is one of the extreme measures of managing violence and aggression. Despite the evidence base for the effectiveness and therapeutic value of seclusion being limited, there arguably remains a compelling case for its use. This qualitative study aimed to explore forensic nurse's experiences and perspective on the use of seclusion in clinical practice and establish: •What are the factors that influence and inhibit the use of seclusion? •What skills are required when caring for patients in seclusion? A purposive sample of 12 registered and non-registered nurses from a UK high-security hospital consented to engage in a focus group. Thematic analysis was used to interrogate the data. The results included two emerging themes: 'Keeping everyone safe' and 'The challenges', including the identification of binary oppositions. A rationale for the use of seclusion; it's a last resort. Evidence of challenges to the therapeutic relationship and communication barriers. Findings illustrate the need to critically examine the practise of seclusion, accuracy of risk assessment, also to balance safety and security proportionately and ensure therapeutic value. The use of a daily dynamic risk assessment and staff relational training is recommended to improve communication and reduce excessive and prolonged use of seclusion What is known on the subject Over the last decade, significant headway has been made across the globe in relation to reducing restrictive practices such as seclusion. Early intervention and staff confidence in managing violence and aggression have been identified as factors that influence the occurrence of seclusion. What the paper adds to the existing knowledge Findings support the necessity to utilise objective assessment routinely. The binary oppositions described within the presenting results are as relevant today as they were almost two decades ago when published by Mason (2002) This paper provides new knowledge on forensic nurses' perception use of seclusion and draws attention specifically to the impact of the therapeutic relationship and communication challenges during a seclusion event. What are the implications for practice The provision of a daily dynamic risk assessment within nursing practice will effectively identify patients who are imminently at risk of engaging in violence and aggression and reducing excessive and/or prolonged use of seclusion. Staff development and development that includes relational skills training in how to manage complex relationships to improve positive communication and reduce the need for seclusion being required. The findings suggest the need for future research and senior managers and health-care professional leaders to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the clinicians' decisions in the use seclusion, in order to achieve long-term reductions in its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]