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Background: The phenomenon of loneliness among healthcare providers, particularly nurses, has garnered increasing attention due to its detrimental effects on individual well-being and professional retention. The isolation experienced by nurses has been linked to heightened turnover rates and intentions to leave the profession, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems globally. Recognizing loneliness as an epidemic in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue within the healthcare workforce., Purpose: This paper explores evidence-based strategies to mitigate loneliness and promote social connectedness among nurses, drawing insights from various stakeholders. It aims to offer actionable recommendations to enhance the nursing experience and retain professionals in the field., Discussion: Strategies include peer support programs, mentorship initiatives, wellness activities, and fostering open communication. Leveraging technology for virtual connections is also highlighted, especially in remote work scenarios., Conclusion: A holistic approach is vital, combining individual, interpersonal, and systemic interventions to combat nurse loneliness. Prioritizing social connectedness fosters a supportive work environment, benefiting both nurses and patient care quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous studies demonstrate a high prevalence of depression and loneliness among adolescents. Although they often co-occur, the relationship between symptoms of depression and loneliness remains poorly understood. This study investigates: (a) the symptoms of depression that are connected to loneliness; (b) the role played by loneliness in the network of depression symptoms; and (c) whether the method used to measure loneliness (single-item direct or multi-item indirect) affects the relationship of loneliness with depressive symptoms., Methods: Participants were 496 Polish adolescents (50.8% girls) aged 11 to 13, who completed: (a) the 10-item Major Depressive Disorder subscale of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale; (b) the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (indirect loneliness), and (c) a single direct question evaluating loneliness: 'I'm lonely'. Networks were estimated using a Gaussian Graphical Model., Results: Loneliness shows a direct relationship with three affective symptoms of depression: sadness, worthlessness, and anhedonia, which mediate relationships with somatic symptoms. In contrast to previous studies, loneliness has the lowest level of centrality among all elements of the network. The method used to assess loneliness did not significantly affect the connections between loneliness and depressive symptoms., Conclusions: Loneliness and depression overlap since they are formed by the same cognitive biases and deficits in emotion regulation but differ in the level of generality. In loneliness, they have an interpersonal context, while symptoms of depression can be intrapersonal. This helps us to understand why cognitive interventions, as compared to those which are social, are more effective in reducing loneliness., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.)

Family caregivers of people with severe mental illness (SMI) have been increasingly observed to experience social isolation and/or loneliness (SI/L) which are risk factors for ill health. This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence and identify knowledge gaps in studies on SI/L in this population using the Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Parallel searches (2011-2021) conducted in 10 databases identified 51 publications from 18 countries fully meeting the inclusion criteria. Over half of the included studies were quantitative. We found that the definition of loneliness reached a consensus, while the definition of social isolation varied across studies. Risk factors and correlates of SI/L were grouped into sociodemographic factors, illness-related factors, health and wellbeing, and stigma. The evidence showed a lack of comprehensive measurements assessing SI/L, few longitudinal studies, and little knowledge of interventions specifically addressing SI/L. Future studies are recommended to address these knowledge gaps and explore effective interventions on SI/L in family caregivers of people with SMI., (© 2023 The Authors. American Journal of Community Psychology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Community Research and Action.)

The First 1000 Days (the period from conception to a child's second birthday) is an important developmental period. However, little is known about experiences of parents with refugee and migrant backgrounds during this period. A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Publications were identified through searches of the Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases, critically appraised, and synthesised using thematic analysis. A total of 35 papers met inclusion criteria. Depressive symptomatology was consistently higher than global averages, however maternal depression conceptualisations differed across studies. Several papers reported changes in relationship dynamics as a result of having a baby post-migration. Consistent relationships were found between social and health support and wellbeing. Conceptualisations of wellbeing may differ among migrant families. Limited understanding of health services and relationships with health providers may impede help-seeking. Several research gaps were identified, particularly in relation to the wellbeing of fathers, and of parents of children over 12 months old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescents report using digital technologies for emotion regulation (digital ER), with the aim of feeling better (i.e., improving emotions and reducing loneliness). In this 7-day diary study, we investigated associations of digital ER, emotions, and loneliness, and tested whether prior emotional problems moderated these associations., Method: Participants were 312 Australian adolescents (M age  = 13.91, SD = 1.52; 44% boys). Daily surveys measured digital ER; end-of-day happiness, sadness, worry, anger, and loneliness; and peak sadness, worry, and anger. End-of day emotions were subtracted from peak emotions to calculate emotion recovery for sadness, worry, and anger. Participants were randomly selected from two symptom strata (high/low) defined by depression and social anxiety measures collected before the diary. Data were analyzed using multilevel path modeling. Cross-level interactions tested whether symptom strata moderated associations., Results: Digital ER was associated with more recovery from peak to end-of-day sadness and worry, but also with increased sadness, worry, anger, and loneliness by the next end-of-day. Higher end-of-day loneliness was associated with increased next-day digital ER. Prior emotional symptoms were not a significant moderator of daily digital ER and emotion associations., Conclusion: Adolescents who report more digital ER in a day show more recovery from the peak of negative emotion that day, but this recovery dissipates, with digital ER also associated with increased negative emotion and loneliness by the next day for all adolescents, regardless of prior symptom status. Lonelier adolescents use more digital ER by the next day, suggesting they need support to make social connections-online or offline., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Adolescence published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Foundation for Professionals in Services to Adolescents.)

The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of loneliness and its associated factors among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 among 1032 older Bangladeshi adults aged 60 years and above through telephone interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on participants' characteristics and COVID-19-related information. Meanwhile, the level of loneliness was measured using a 3-item UCLA Loneliness scale. More than half (51.5%) of the older adults experienced loneliness. We found that participants formally schooled [adjusted odds ratio (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.88)] and received COVID-19-related information from health workers (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.49) had lower odds of being lonely during the pandemic. However, older adults living alone (aOR: 2.57, 95% CI 1.34-4.94), residing distant from a health facility (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.08) and in rural areas (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.02-2.23) had higher odds of loneliness than their counterparts. Likewise, odds of loneliness were higher among those overwhelmed by COVID-19 (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.29-2.86), who faced difficulty in earning (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.18-2.67) and receiving routine medical care during pandemic (aOR = 2.94, 95% CI 1.78-4.87), and those perceiving requiring additional care during the pandemic (aOR = 6.01, 95% CI 3.80-9.49). The findings suggest that policies and plans should be directed to reduce loneliness among older adults who require additional care., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: We examined the impact of the social network before the coronavirus pandemic on loneliness and depressed mood during the pandemic in older European individuals, and how these relationships differ between different European countries., Methods: Data of N = 19,999 persons (age: M = 69.18 years; 51% female) from the pan-European longitudinal survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe, interviewed between October 2019 and March 2020 (Wave 8) and between June and August 2020 (Corona Questionnaire 1), were used. To test the models we employed path analyses, controlling for age, gender, education, and occupational status. Models were also run separately in collectivistic (Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece) and individualistic (Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and France) country groups., Results: A larger social network before the pandemic reduced the probability of an increase in loneliness and depression. The negative association between social network size and increase in loneliness was stronger in collectivist countries than in individualist ones. Moreover, an increase in loneliness increased the probability of feeling depressed., Conclusions: It appears that pre-pandemic social networks served as a buffer to negative mental health consequences of the pandemic in older Europeans. In fact, this association was stronger in collectivist than for individualist countries. While this underscores the importance of social connectedness, it also stresses the vulnerability of socially isolated individuals regarding loneliness and depression. Future work should thus focus on supporting social networks in older adults., (© 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Technological progress provides health professionals with an excellent opportunity to take advantage of these developments and contribute to the development of efficient ways of diagnosing, monitoring, treating and assisting users. The purpose of this work is to present the results of a study conducted to examine the quantitative equivalence of paper-and-pencil and a voice-based conversational assistant, popularly known as a "chatbot", as means to administer tests. One hundred and eight undergraduate university students completed both versions of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. The interval between the first and second administration was set at four days. Validity, internal structure, internal consistency and equivalence of chatbot administration mode were assessed. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to verify the factor structure and provided a two-factor structure. Validity and internal consistency are adequate. These results support the feasibility of using chatbots for loneliness assessment in a sample of undergraduate university students and other populations in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health concerns in older adults are common, with increasing age-related risks to physical health, mobility and social isolation. Community-based approaches are a key focus of public health strategy in the UK, and may reduce the impact of these risks, protecting mental health and promoting wellbeing. We conducted a review of UK community-based interventions to understand the types of intervention studied and mental health/wellbeing impacts reported., Method: We conducted a scoping review of the literature, systematically searching six electronic databases (2000-2020) to identify academic studies of any non-clinical community intervention to improve mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older adults. Data were extracted, grouped by population targeted, intervention type, and outcomes reported, and synthesised according to a framework categorising community actions targeting older adults., Results: In total, 1,131 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 54 included in the final synthesis. Example interventions included: link workers; telephone helplines; befriending; digital support services; group social activities. These were grouped into: connector services, gateway services/approaches, direct interventions and systems approaches. These interventions aimed to address key risk factors: loneliness, social isolation, being a caregiver and living with long-term health conditions. Outcome measurement varied greatly, confounding strong evidence in favour of particular intervention types., Conclusion: The literature is wide-ranging in focus and methodology. Greater specificity and consistency in outcome measurement are required to evidence effectiveness - no single category of intervention yet stands out as 'promising'. More robust evidence on the active components of interventions to promote older adult's mental health is required., (© 2021 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aims and Objectives: To map and synthesise the literature on loneliness at end-of-life and identify key knowledge gaps in loneliness research., Background: Declined health conditions, reduced social engagement, loss of social roles, and fear of death may lead to loneliness at end-of-life. However, systematic information about loneliness at end-of-life is scant., Methods: This scoping review followed the methodology proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. Nine electronic databases were searched from January 2001 to July 2022. Studies about loneliness at end-of-life were included. Two review authors independently screened and selected relevant studies and performed the data charting. The PAGER framework was employed to collate, summarise and report the results. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was included., Results: A total of 23 studies were included in this review (12 qualitative, 10 quantitative, and one mixed-methods design). There was not reliable data about the prevalence of loneliness among adults at end-of-life internationally. Three or 20-item UCLA loneliness scale was frequently used to measure loneliness. Factors predisposed adults at end-of-life to loneliness included passive and active withdrawal from social networks, inability to share emotions and to be understood, and inadequate support on spirituality. Four strategies were identified to alleviate loneliness, yet none have been substantiated in clinical trials. Interventions facilitating spirituality, social interactions and connectedness seem effective in alleviating loneliness., Conclusions: This is the first scoping review on loneliness at end-of-life, synthesising evidence from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Loneliness among adults at end-of-life is under-investigated and there is a prominent need to address existential loneliness at end-of-life., Relevance to Clinical Practice: All nurses should proactively assess loneliness or perceived social isolation for clients with life-limiting conditions, regardless of social networks. Collaborative efforts (e.g., medical-social collaborations) to promote self-worthiness, social engagement and connectedness with significant others and social networks are needed., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public involvement., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Social connection is a fundamental human need. Its absence can lead to loneliness and social isolation, adversely impacting health and well-being. Given their regular contact and trusted relationships with older people, practitioners delivering community-based primary care are well-positioned to address this issue. However, their contribution to addressing loneliness and social isolation is unclear., Aim: This integrative review explores the contribution of the primary care workforce to interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older people., Method: Using an integrative review method, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and PubMed were searched for original research published between 2000 and 2022. Fourteen papers reporting 13 primary studies were appraised for methodological quality and included in the review. Data were extracted into a summary table and analysed using thematic analysis., Results: Included studies came from over six countries. Internationally, primary care services have diverse structures, funding and workforces influencing their response to loneliness and social isolation. All but one intervention was multi-component, with ten studies including a group-based activity and three providing primarily individual-level activities. Only six studies reported reductions in loneliness following the intervention. Three themes were identified: characteristics of interventions; implementation context, barriers and facilitators; and differing contributions of primary care practitioners in addressing loneliness and social isolation of older people., Conclusion: There is increasing demand and scope for primary care practitioners to assist lonely and socially isolated older people. It is important to understand how to equip and incentivise these practitioners to routinely identify, assess and respond to lonely and socially isolated older people despite varying implementation contexts. There is a need for further research that explores how the primary care team can be better utilised to deliver effective interventions that reduce the health impacts of loneliness and social isolation., (© 2023 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic College of Caring Science.)

Aim: A feeling of isolation childcare mothers' face is a serious social problem in Japan because the relationships with mothers and local communities have grown sparser. The purpose of this study was to clarify the feelings of isolation of mothers during childcare and the factors related to it., Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey in Yao City, Osaka. We mailed out a questionnaire survey of 1293 mothers with infants who had either a 4-month or 42-month routine health checkup during the period from September to December of 2018., Results: There was no association between "feeling lonely while raising my child" and the absence of "people who helped raise my children." On the other hand, it was found that the mothers' inner feelings, such as "I wasn't satisfied with my childcare environment" (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.32-4.91, p = 0.0052) or "I lacked confidence in my own childcare abilities" (OR: 6.21, 95% CI: 4.31-8.95, p < 0.0001), were associated with their sense of loneliness., Conclusions: Mothers' "sense of loneliness" was shown to be best correlated with their dissatisfaction with the environment of their childcare and with their lack of confidence in raising their own children., (© 2021 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Background: Limitations in performing physical activities have been associated with greater loneliness in older adults. This association could be moderated by maladaptive social cognition or feelings, such as guilt related to perceiving oneself as a burden. This study analyzes the effect of guilt related to self-perception as a burden on the relationship between physical limitations and loneliness in older adults., Methods: Participants were 190 community-dwelling people aged over 60 years who did not show cognitive or functional limitations in daily life activities. We used linear regression to test the influence of guilt related to self-perception as a burden on the association between physical limitations and loneliness., Results: The interaction between physical limitations and guilt related to self-perception as a burden was found to be significant in the explanation of loneliness, explaining 18.10% of the variance. Specifically, the relationship between physical limitations and loneliness was stronger when levels of guilt related to self-perception as a burden were high or medium than when these levels were low., Conclusions: The findings suggest that feelings of loneliness are more frequent in people who report more physical limitations and, at the same time, report guilt for perceiving themselves as a burden. Guilt related to perceiving oneself as a burden seems to be a relevant modulator variable for understanding the effects of physical limitations on loneliness., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Geriatrics Society.)

Abstract: The goal of this quality improvement project was to determine if virtually offered faith-based resources for socially isolated older adults could reduce loneliness and improve quality of life. A nurse-developed program of virtual spiritual and religious interventions, including mindfulness, prayer, Scripture meditation, gratitude practices, and online church services, was offered by local ministers to older adults at risk of social isolation or loneliness. A sample of 16 adults over age 55 from local communities participated in the 12-week intervention and follow-up. The intervention resulted in a significant decrease in perception of social loneliness and improved physical health quality of life., (Copyright © 2023 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.)

Background: Physical, psychological, and social impairments are becoming more common in the world due to internet use and excessive use., Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social media addiction (SMA) and the perception of loneliness in the high school period when peer influence is important., Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 988 students studying at four high schools in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, in the fall semester of 2019-2020. The research data were collected using Introductory Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), and UCLA Loneliness Scale., Results: According to the findings, 67.2% of the students had different degrees of SMA. It was found that 7.8% of the students had a high or very high degree of addiction. Loneliness levels of the students were found to be high (UCLA mean 62.78). A strong negative correlation (p &lt; 0.01) was found between loneliness and all the subscales of the SMAS except the busyness subscale., Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the social media addiction and the perception of loneliness in high school students are related at a level that cannot be ignored. Future research should evaluate social media addiction and loneliness together with other psychological markers., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Loneliness is a significant risk factor for depression in adults. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are at risk for loneliness and depression due to stigma and discrimination. However, little is known about the influences of loneliness on the mental health of SGM populations. Guided by the Minority Stress and Integrative Mediation Frameworks, the authors aimed to examine loneliness's direct and indirect effects on the relationships between minority stressors and depression among Thai SGM adults. Data were drawn from a larger cross-sectional survey. Standardized measures of minority stressors (discrimination, victimization, identity concealment, and internalized sexual stigma), loneliness, and depression were selected and translated by expert panels. A convenience sample was recruited, and data were collected using online and in-person methods. Participants (N = 411, M = 29.5 years) were primarily male (90.5%), gay (79.3%), and cisgender (76.6%). More than 40% of participants reported clinically significant levels of loneliness (M = 38.59, standard deviation [SD] = 11.11) and depression (M = 9.46, SD = 8.43). Discrimination, identity concealment, and internalized sexual stigma were directly associated with loneliness (all p < 0.05). Minority stressors were significantly related to depression through indirect associations via loneliness accounting for 33%-54% of the total effect. Indirect effects (95% confidence interval) were 0.25 [0.12, 0.40] for discrimination, -0.41 [-0.67, -0.18] for identity concealment, and 0.42 [0.06, 0.79] for internalized sexual stigma. Loneliness was prevalent and played a mediating role in the associations between minority stressors and depression. Study findings have implications for the development of intervention research., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Loneliness research has tended to focus on mainstream and older populations despite evidence that non-mainstream groups, like those experiencing homelessness, may experience loneliness differently. Limited existing research indicates that (a) people who have been homeless experience loneliness as multidimensional (as a pluralistic, non-unidimensional emotion, experienced specific to lacked relationships) and (b) mainstream loneliness scales may be inappropriate for this group. The current study piloted and appraised the feasibility the short version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) among 129 Australian adults with a lived experience of homelessness. Exploratory Factor Analysis and an observational questionnaire appraisal were used to assess factorial and content validity and showed the measure did not fit this sample as well as in mainstream samples. Removal of items that participants found difficult to comprehend/answer improved the factorial fit of the scale. In conclusion, the SELSA-S may be inappropriate for measuring loneliness among people who have experienced homelessness. Further research needs to explore the potentially different structure of loneliness among marginalised groups so that a better understanding of loneliness can be reached., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Loneliness can have a negative impact on people's physical and psychological well‐being; building social capital is a potential means of addressing this connection. Community initiatives (e.g. groups, clubs, neighbourhood activities) may be a route that enables people to build social capital to tackle loneliness. Understanding what is known, and where gaps in knowledge exist, is important for advancing research on this topic. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to explore the question – What community initiatives, with a focus on well‐being, have been evaluated in the United Kingdom that include information about social capital and loneliness? Four databases (Medline, CINAHL, ASSIA and Embase) were searched for relevant research papers. References were screened by two researchers to identify if they met the review's inclusion criteria. Data were summarised as a narrative and in tables. Results: Five papers met the review's inclusion criteria. They all used qualitative methods. Findings suggested that social capital could be developed through creating a sense of trust, group cohesion and reciprocity among participants in the community initiatives. This connection enabled people to experience a sense of belonging and to feel they had a meaningful relationship with others, which appeared to alleviate feelings of loneliness. Conclusion: More research is warranted on the review topic, including studies that have employed quantitative or mixed methods. Clarity around definitions of social capital and loneliness in future research is required. Engagement with community initiatives can provide a formalised route to help people develop connections and counteract limitations in their social networks. However, individuals may be wary about attending community initiatives, needing support and encouragement to do so. Social prescribing link workers are one means of motivating people to access groups, events or organisations that could improve their well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the potential impact of AI technology on psychotherapy and counseling. It discusses the use of AI chatbots as companions, including for romantic and sexual purposes, and raises questions about the changing nature of therapy in the digital age. The article explores the concept of "technical thinking" and its effects on human psychology and therapeutic practices. It also discusses the history of therapy using communication technologies and the emergence of AI bots in the field. The article concludes by considering the role of traditional therapy in the digital age and the potential benefits and drawbacks of online therapy. Additionally, it highlights a recent study that found face-to-face communication to be more important for mental health during lockdowns, but also acknowledges the positive impact of digital text-based communication. The author emphasizes the need for further research on the effects of the digital age on psychological therapies and invites submissions to their journal. The article provides summaries of several papers included in the journal, covering topics such as online therapy, the impact of technology on the therapeutic relationship, and the experiences of students in remote learning. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering the effects of the digital age on both psychotherapy provision and individuals involved in therapy. [Extracted from the article]

In many countries across the world, older people are one of the groups most vulnerable to loneliness. Community-based responses are well placed to support and enhance pre-existing coping strategies in older people. However, the evidence base of these responses remain scattered and obscured, particularly in relation to their design and reasons behind their success. In this systematic review, we focus on qualitative studies on community-based responses to loneliness among older people to learn how these responses work in practice with in-depth details. At the end of a systematic searching and screening process, 17 studies conducted in five countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and the UK) published in English were selected and reviewed initially in October 2020 and then updated at the end of August 2021. Three themes were identified as being most valuable to addressing loneliness in a specific community, namely, autonomy, new social connections, and belonging. These interventions were also employed according to three primary considerations: what the community lacked, how that community experienced loneliness, or a combination of both. Several implications for policymakers and future research emerged, urging future interventions to take a more contextual approach that encompasses community-level considerations before establishing a user-led and tailored setting that facilitates social engagement., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: When a child is afflicted by a life-threatening disease, it places a huge burden on the family., Aim: To gain a deeper understanding of parents' experiences of psycho-social support in a group activity for families with children and adolescents suffering from cancer., Method: Data were collected by means of focus group interviews with 10 parents from eight families with children treated for cancer during the period 2011-2017. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in accordance with qualitative content analysis., Results: An overarching theme"Togetherness in loneliness" emerged, highlighting the importance of sharing experiences, based on the main categories: "a clearing house" and "a meeting place". A clearing house was described as a place for sharing experiences on equal terms and a short cut to care contacts. A meeting place was depicted as a temporary home, a place for recuperation, but that sharing also had a cost., Discussion: The results revealed that the parents of children suffering from cancer experienced the group activity for such families as an important support during the treatment period. The group served as an arena for mutual support and exchange of experiences, but it was also an easy way for the participants to access psychosocial support at an early stage of the cancer treatment. There was a risk that the participants would be unable to cope with sharing the anxiety and setbacks experienced by others, something that might be difficult to foresee when joining the group., (© 2021 Nordic College of Caring Science.)

There has been growing recognition of the harmful consequences of loneliness for health and well-being, and the need for community intervention, particularly in times of global crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic with its imperatives of distancing, isolation, and quarantine. Social capital and a sense of social cohesion are known to have roles in buffering against the effects of adverse life circumstances. Our study sought to investigate the association of a range of social attitudes and activities - as proxies for social capital - with loneliness while taking into account socio-demographic factors. We undertook a national survey on a stratified random sample of the New Zealand (NZ) adult population aged 18+ in 2017 (n = 1,358), data from which included the requisite variables. The prevalence of loneliness was highest in young adults (18-30), falling with age until a slight rise in older people (76+). Loneliness was associated with socio-demographic factors, being more prevalent in the more disadvantaged groups: the deprived, Māori (the indigenous people of NZ), the non-partnered, and the less educated. Controlling for these socio-demographic factors, pro-social attitudes (that is towards political efficacy, trust in others, not feeling exploited, or being committed to family) and participation in social activities (that is being employed or being involved in recreation groups) - were protective against loneliness. Our study supports asset-based approaches to tackling loneliness - with implications for health and social care - that emphasise mobilising existing social resources, building social capital, and raising social cohesion in our communities. Such intervention on loneliness would help to prevent and ameliorate its detrimental consequences for public health., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Into the Loneliness: The Unholy Alliance of Ernestine Hill and Daisy Bates: By Eleanor Hogan. The biographical and historical material in I Loneliness i is framed by travelogue as Hogan retraces routes taken by Hill and Bates. Hogan also uses material from "the Daisy Chain" (a loose group of researchers interested in Bates during the 1970s and 1980s), who had access to interview subjects who knew Bates and Hill. [Extracted from the article]

Identification of factors which influence health after a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event will assist with reducing the high health and economic burden of CVD. We undertook a systematic review to investigate the association between social health (lower social isolation, higher social support and lower loneliness) and health and well-being after a CVD event among people living in Australia and New Zealand. Four electronic databases were systematically searched until June 2020. Two reviewers undertook title/abstract screen. One reviewer undertook full-text screen and data extraction. A second author either independently extracted or checked data. Narrative thematic analysis was undertaken. Of the 752 unique records retrieved, 39 papers from 29 studies met our inclusion criteria. Included studies recruited between 10 and 1,455 participants, aged 12-96 years, and the majority were male. Greater social health was consistently associated with better mental health outcomes (lower depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological distress). Lower social isolation and higher social support were associated with the extent to which patient needs were being met. Living situation was not associated with mental health outcomes, and being married or living with someone was associated with greater medication adherence. Our systematic review demonstrates that greater social health is associated with better mental health outcomes and met patient needs among cardiac patients. As partner status and living status did not align with social isolation and social support findings in this review, we recommend they not be used as social health proxies when assessing health outcomes among CVD patients. Our review highlights the need for more research focused on women and the importance of gender-disaggregated reporting. Further assessment is required to evaluate whether loneliness is associated with health and well-being outcomes after a CVD event., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This research focused on undocumented male Guatemalan migrant adolescents' experiences and stressors in United States agriculture. Study 1 applied a phenomenological method to explore work-life experiences of Guatemalan minors (n = 10) aged 15-17 (M age  = 16.4). Findings highlighted three themes (1) "Just keep pushing forward," (2) "It feels ugly but that's life," and (3) "I have to do everything on my own." Using a separate sample, Study 2 examined the association between stressors and depressive symptoms among Guatemalan migrant adolescents (n = 28), aged 15-20 (M age  = 17.71). Results showed loneliness, social isolation, and work conditions as correlates for depressive symptoms. Findings highlighted a distinct developmental path among migrant farmworker adolescents and offered insight into their resilience and developmental threats., (© 2021 Society for Research on Adolescence.)