Community-based research and approaches to loneliness prevention

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on research with older people that explored experiences of loneliness in order to consider community level approaches to prevent and reduce feelings of loneliness. Design/methodology/approach This research was co-produced with a community research group and involved a series of in-depth interviews (n=14) with older people. Interviews were thematically analysed. Findings Analysis revealed three key themes: connecting and disconnecting, points of vulnerability and older identity. Social connections were important to participants and many felt disconnected at times. Findings underline the importance of understanding the social perceptions of older people and how individuals themselves conceptualise older age. Research limitations/implications Further research is needed to explore the value of social media in reducing feelings of loneliness generally. With regards to social implication the author suggests that older people need to be more visible and loneliness needs to be normalised and discussed without stigmatisation. In practical terms as people get older, and particularly as they retire, people need opportunities to re/engage with their geographically local community. The author suggests that preventing loneliness may mean finding supportive structures to enable this such as local community-based retirement classes. It is important to note that this research concentrated on one particular community in Bristol and needs to be replicated in order to further explore findings. Originality/value This research adopted a co-produced approach and involved community professionals, academics and local older people working together to explore the issue of loneliness. The author believes this has led to a greater breadth and depth of insight.

Strategies employed by older people to manage loneliness: systematic review of qualitative studies and model development

“…Additionally, it has been argued that loneliness is not only about how people view themselves, but also about how they feel they are positioned in society. Societal and community level responses to loneliness include both a normalization of loneliness and manufactured opportunities to re/engage with local communities in later life (Barke, 2017).…”

Technological advancements to address elderly loneliness: practical considerations and community resilience implications for COVID-19 pandemic

“…For instance, they could ask family members to have a video call at a certain time each week or create online social activities for groups of residents. Community-based approaches and social connections can help improve technology adoption and reduce feelings of loneliness and social disconnectedness (Barke, 2017).…”

Being cut off from social identity resources has shaped loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal interview study with medically vulnerable older adults from the United Kingdom

“…This may take the form of public health campaigns and re-establishing access to events. Thirdly, we propose that collective events and community interventions (including face-to-face and digital) may be more effective than individual solutions, in order to reinstate access to feelings of community belonging as psychological resources (see Barke, 2017;Bowe et al, in press;McNamara et al, 2013).…”

“…Qualitative, lived experienced research has found that chronic loneliness in later life is associated with feelings of being trapped, fear of the future, grief for the past, a perceived powerlessness and inability to resolve feelings of loneliness, and shame and defeat (Barke, 2017;Hauge & Kirkevold, 2012;Roos & Klopper, 2010;Taube et al, 2016). Further, cognitive psychologists have found that people who are chronically lonely tend to experience increasing social anxiety and paranoia of others (Cacioppo & Hawkley, 2009;Canham, 2015), are hyper-vigilant for social threats (such as hostility from others), and experience increased depression and difficulty in generating satisfactory social connections (Cacioppo et al, 2006;Heinrich & Gullone, 2006;Segel-Karpas & Ayalon, 2020).…”