The Feasibility and Acceptability of LISTEN for Loneliness

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the initial feasibility and acceptability of LISTEN (Loneliness Intervention using Story Theory to Enhance Nursing-sensitive outcomes), a new intervention for loneliness. Loneliness is a significant stressor and known contributor to multiple chronic health conditions in varied populations. In addition, loneliness is reported as predictive of functional decline and mortality in large samples of older adults from multiple cultures. Currently, there are no standard therapies recommended as effective treatments for loneliness. The paucity of interventions has limited the ability of healthcare providers to translate what we know about the problem of loneliness to active planning of clinical care that results in diminished loneliness. LISTEN was developed using the process for complex intervention development suggested by the Medical Research Council (MRC) [1] [2]. Methods Feasibility and acceptability of LISTEN were evaluated as the first objective of a longitudinal randomized trial which was set in a university based family medicine center in a rural southeastern community in Appalachia. Twenty-seven older adults [(24 women and 3 men, mean age: 75 (SD 7.50)] who were lonely, community-dwelling, and experiencing chronic illness, participated. Feasibility was evaluated by tracking recruitment efforts, enrollment, attendance to intervention sessions, attrition, and with feedback evaluations from study personnel. Acceptability was assessed using quantitative and qualitative evaluation data from participants. Results LISTEN was evaluated as feasible to deliver with no attrition and near perfect attendance. Participants ranked LISTEN as highly acceptable for diminishing loneliness with participants requesting a continuation of the program or development of additional sessions. Conclusions LISTEN is feasible to deliver in a primary healthcare setting and has the potential to diminish loneliness which could result in improvement of the long-term negative known sequelae of loneliness such as hypertension, depression, functional decline, and mortality. Feedback from study participants is being used to inform future trials of LISTEN with consideration for developing additional sessions. Longitudinal randomized trials are needed in varied populations to assess long-term health and healthcare system benefits of diminishing loneliness, and to assess the potential scalability of LISTEN as a reimbursable treatment for loneliness.

The Effects of Loneliness on Menopausal Symptoms

“…According to Fernández et al (15), loneliness is a common complaint, while women go through menopause, and the menopausal period is more difficult in women who have high levels of loneliness. Loneliness is also a trigger factor for depression (16,22). Loneliness could cause very negative health problems such as sleep problems and cardiovascular problems (14)(15)(16)23).…”

“…Loneliness could cause very negative health problems such as sleep problems and cardiovascular problems (14)(15)(16)23). Sharing loneliness could decrease the development of depression and make an important contribution to the healthcare system (22). It is debated whether depression is a cause or effect in the menopausal period (24).…”

Commentary: A Pilot Digital Intervention Targeting Loneliness in Youth Mental Health

“…Loneliness and belonging, for example, are considered by many scholars to be distinct but related subjective states that play a role in normal human emotion (20,21). According to this kind of approach, belonging is a psychological need for interpersonal bonds [e.g., (11)], while loneliness results from the perceived discrepancy between an individual's actual and desired social relationships (22).…”

“…According to this kind of approach, belonging is a psychological need for interpersonal bonds [e.g., (11)], while loneliness results from the perceived discrepancy between an individual's actual and desired social relationships (22). When needs for belonging are not met, this leads to perceived loneliness (21). There is evidence that, because loneliness and belonging share similar characteristics and are highly correlated, an increase in feelings of belonging will improve feelings of loneliness (20).…”

“…There is evidence that, because loneliness and belonging share similar characteristics and are highly correlated, an increase in feelings of belonging will improve feelings of loneliness (20). Conversely, supporting belonging is associated with decreased loneliness (21). Interventions targeting belonging may, thus, offer rich and new insights and perspectives into ways in which loneliness can be addressed (23).…”