The effectiveness of psychological interventions for loneliness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hickin, Nisha; Käll, Anton; Shafran, Roz; Sutcliffe, Sebastian; Manzotti, Grazia; Langan, Dean

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102066

Cited by 121 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Though the field of interventions targeting loneliness is still sparsely populated and heterogeneous in terms of its theoretical pluralism, the effects of our ICBT treatment do compare favourably to most other interventions found in the recent meta-analysis of psychological interventions targeting loneliness (Hickin et al, 2021). The average effect in the meta-analysis, d = 0.42, is lower than the estimates found in Study II and Study IV, d = 0.77 and 0.71, respectively.…”

Section: Icbt Can Be a Helpful Tool For Reducing Loneliness…mentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Estimated Profile Means for Each Indicator (Grand-Mean Centred). From Käll, Shafran et al (2021). Reprinted with permission.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared to other kinds of interventions, our ICBT estimates compare favourably as well. Using the observed means to allow for easy comparisons against the results reported in Hickin et al (2021), the results from Study IV rank among the top candidates along with the social identity intervention by Haslam et al (2019) and the reminiscence therapy by Chiang et al (2010). Though the results from the meta-analysis by Masi et al (2011) that suggested that interventions targeting maladaptive social cognition was one of few promising candidates has not held up in recent years, the findings in this thesis do indicate that the suggested potential of using CBT for this problem holds true.…”

Section: Icbt Can Be a Helpful Tool For Reducing Loneliness…mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The number of psychological interventions tested against loneliness is still relatively sparse, as indicated by the fact the recent meta-analysis by Hickin et al (2021) was only able to include 28 RCTs in the analysis. Nonetheless, as proponents of the process-based therapy paradigm (Hofmann & Hayes, 2018) might argue, it is never too early to focus on the processes driving the reduction in loneliness observed in some of these studies.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet-based interventions for loneliness : Efficacy and latent psychopathological profiles of treatment seekers

Käll

2021

Linköping Studies in Behavioural Science

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decrease in loneliness was sustained, along with similarly lasting effects on the secondary outcomes of interest.Study IV aimed to replicate the findings from the second study with a similar ICBT programme. However, this study also employed an internet-based IPT intervention to allow for conclusions regarding the possibility of reducing loneliness by other means than CBT. A sample of 170 participants were recruited and randomised to one the treatment conditions or to a waitlist control group. The results indicated that the ICBT condition had a significantly steeper reduction in loneliness than both the waitlist and the IPT condition after the conclusion of the treatment. Both active conditions produced a significant increase in quality of life.In conclusion, internet-based psychological interventions can be efficacious for reducing loneliness, though the efficacy was only found for participants who received access to the ICBT condition in Study II and IV. The benefits from this treatment programme were sustained up to two years after the conclusion of the intervention. For these reasons, ICBT is proposed to be a good candidate for offering help to people experiencing distressing feelings of loneliness.

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Section: Icbt Can Be a Helpful Tool For Reducing Loneliness…mentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Estimated Profile Means for Each Indicator (Grand-Mean Centred). From Käll, Shafran et al (2021). Reprinted with permission.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Icbt Can Be a Helpful Tool For Reducing Loneliness…mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet-based interventions for loneliness : Efficacy and latent psychopathological profiles of treatment seekers

Käll

2021

Linköping Studies in Behavioural Science

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“…Importantly, the results of the current study stress the importance of addressing social cognitive bias when developing and implementing interventions aimed to improve social functioning in SCZ. A recent meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of psychological interventions targeting loneliness revealed a significant small-to-moderate effect in reducing loneliness across various clinical populations (Hickin et al, 2021). Additionally, small to moderate beneficial effects were found for reducing cognitive bias in SCZ in another meta-analysis of 15 distinct types of interventions (Sauvé, Lavigne, Pochiet, Brodeur, & Lepage, 2020).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social cognitive bias increases loneliness both directly and by decreasing social connection in patients with schizophrenia.

Okruszek¹,

Piejka²,

Chrustowicz³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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While considerable emphasis has been put on investigating the mechanisms that drive reduced social connection in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), recent studies have increasingly focused on the issue of loneliness in SCZ. Both social cognitive bias and self-reported empathy predict loneliness in non-clinical populations, the current study, therefore, aims to examine the relationship between loneliness, reduced social connection and social cognitive biases, and self-reported empathy in SCZ. Ninety-three adult SCZ and sixty-six matched healthy individuals completed a battery of questionnaires measuring loneliness and social connection (Revised-UCLA Loneliness scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, Social Disconnectedness Scale), cognitive biases (Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ); Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS), Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for psychosis, CBQp) and self-reported empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI). Significant predictors of loneliness in SCZ were entered into two latent variables (“Social Threat Bias”, “Social Connection”), and structural equation modeling was used to explore the direct and indirect relationships between Social Threat Bias and loneliness in SCZ. Patients reported higher levels of loneliness, cognitive biases, and personal distress compared to controls. Furthermore, SCZ reported less social connection and perspective-taking compared to controls. AIHQ Blame Score, CBQp Threatening Events, DACOBS, and IRI Personal Distress were significantly associated with loneliness in SCZ. SEM modeling revealed that Social Threat Bias was linked to increased loneliness in SCZ both directly and indirectly via a decreased social connection. The results of the current study suggest that social threat bias should be considered while planning the interventions aimed to reduce loneliness in schizophrenia.

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Continuity and change in loneliness and stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of autistic and non‐autistic adults

et al. 2022

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Previous studies have suggested that autistic adults may be negatively affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. In this study, we examined continuity and change in loneliness and stress, and their predictors, in 448 autistic and 70 non‐autistic adults living in the Netherlands. Autistic participants were assessed on three occasions using the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and Perceived Stress Scale (pre‐lockdown (T0), first lockdown (T1), and second lockdown (T2)); non‐autistic participants were assessed twice (T1 and T2). Autistic adults' loneliness and stress levels remained stable across all three time points over 8 months, but were consistently higher than those of non‐autistic adults. Other predictors of higher loneliness and stress levels at the first lockdown (T1) included low perceived social support and high levels of COVID‐19 related worries. Although loneliness and stress were stable at the group level, the wellbeing of some autistic adults worsened over the course of the pandemic, while others improved. For instance, adults with a mental health diagnosis (other than autism) prior to the pandemic were more likely to increase in stress over time, whereas adults with higher perceived social support were more likely to decrease in stress over time (from T1 to T2). Factors contributing to variability in outcome require further examination. Moreover, the relatively high loneliness and stress levels in autistic adults call for attention from clinicians and service providers. Lay summary In our study, autistic adults reported feeling more lonely and stressed than non‐autistic adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. People who missed support from their social network also felt more lonely and stressed. On average, people did not change substantially in their degree of loneliness or stress over time. Yet, we noted large person‐to‐person differences in the wellbeing of autistic adults during the pandemic.

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The effectiveness of psychological interventions for loneliness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 121 publications

References 95 publications

Internet-based interventions for loneliness : Efficacy and latent psychopathological profiles of treatment seekers

Internet-based interventions for loneliness : Efficacy and latent psychopathological profiles of treatment seekers

Social cognitive bias increases loneliness both directly and by decreasing social connection in patients with schizophrenia.

Continuity and change in loneliness and stress during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of autistic and non‐autistic adults

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