Why Loneliness Interventions Are Unsuccessful: A Call for Precision Health

Abstract

Background: Loneliness has drawn increasing attention over the past few decades due to rising recognition of its close connection with serious health issues, like dementia. Yet, researchers are failing to find solutions to alleviate the globally experienced burden of loneliness. Purpose: This review aims to shed light on possible reasons for why interventions have been ineffective. We suggest new directions for research on loneliness as it relates to precision health, emerging technologies, digital phenotyping, and machine learning. Results: Current loneliness interventions are unsuccessful due to (i) their inconsideration of loneliness as a heterogeneous construct and (ii) not being targeted at individuals' needs and contexts. We propose a model for how loneliness interventions can move towards finding the right solution for the right person at the right time. Taking a precision health approach, we explore how transdisciplinary research can contribute to creating a more holistic picture of loneliness and shift interventions from treatment to prevention. Conclusions: We urge the field to rethink metrics to account for diverse intra-individual experiences and trajectories of loneliness. Big data sharing and evolving technologies that emphasize human connection raise hope for realizing our model of precision health applied to loneliness. There is an urgent need for precise, integrated, and theory-driven interventions that focus on individuals' needs and the subjective burden of loneliness in the ageing context.

GROUPS 2 CONNECT: An online activity to maintain social connection and well‐being during COVID‐19

“…These interventions have typically involved improving an individual's social skills, their ability to harness social support, increasing their opportunities for social contact, or addressing their maladaptive thoughts. However, results from systematic reviews have generally indicated that such interventions have weak and inconsistent effects (Akhter-Khan & Au, 2020;Cacioppo et al, 2015), with those focusing on social cognitions tending to be most beneficial (Masi et al, 2010). This failure to find strong effects is also observed in a recent review of COVID-19 e-mental health solutions to assist care workers, which reported a lack of empirical evidence of success as well as plentiful evidence of challenges and lack of uptake (Drissi et al, 2021).…”

Acceptability of a Personal Contact Intervention among People Living with Dementia: Might Baseline Contact Matter?

“…Participants’ perspectives can help researchers gain insight into what works, what does not work, and why. This kind of understanding supports implementation of interventions at the right time to the right person, enhancing their effects, and addressing the urgent need for precise, theory-informed interventions to address an individual’s needs (Akhter-khan & Au, 2020).…”

PROTOCOL: In‐person interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness: An evidence and gap map

“…Loneliness has two components: an emotional component (unpleasant, negative feeling) and a social cognition component (perception of social disconnection from other people with a desire to be connected) (Badcock et al, 2022). Loneliness can also be a transient normal experience or chronic with negative physical and mental health consequences (Akhter-Khan et al, 2020;Qualter et al, 2015).…”

“…Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and it is important to tailor appropriate interventions to individuals' needs and contexts (Akhter-Khan et al, 2020;Fakoya et al, 2020;Mann et al, 2017).…”