Research documents that having conversations with other people is vital in order to prevent loneliness, and that loneliness results in reduced quality of life while significantly increasing health costs. 

All municipalities are challenged by the combination of an increasing number of lonely people, flat or decreasing budgets and rising costs. Therefore, preventing loneliness is high on the agenda.

Below is a list of selected research in the field:

 

A selection of research oriented publications relating to loneliness: 

(some titles are in Danish)

  1. Holt-Lunstad, J., T.F. Robles, and D.A. Sbarra, Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. Am Psychol, 2017. 72(6): p. 517-530.
  2. Holt-Lunstad, J., et al., Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2015. 10(2): p. 227-237.
  3. Hawkley, L.C. and J.T. Cacioppo, Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Ann Behav Med, 2010. 40(2): p. 218-27.
  4. Holt-Lunstad, J., et al., Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta- analytic review. Perspect Psychol Sci, 2015. 10(2): p. 227-37.
  5. Dykstra, P.A., T.G. Van Tilburg, and J.d.J. Gierveld, Changes in older adult loneliness: Results from a seven-year longitudinal study. Research on aging, 2005. 27(6): p. 725-
  6. Statistics, A.B.o. Population by age and sex, Australia, States and Territories. Australian Demographic Statistics. [Internet page] 2016 [cited 2017 24/04/17]; Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1CD2B1952AFC5E7ACA257298000F2E76?
  7. Statistics, A.B.o., Population projections, Australia, 2012 (base) to 2101. 2013,
  8. Pressman, S.D., et al., Loneliness, social network size, and immune response to influenza vaccination in college freshmen. Health Psychol, 2005. 24(3): p. 297-306.
  9. Jaremka, L.M., et al., Loneliness promotes inflammation during acute Psychological Science, 2013. 24(7): p. 1089-97.
  10. Cacioppo, J.T., et al., Loneliness and health: Potential mechanisms. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2002. 64(3): p. 407-17.
  11. Tilvis, R.S., et al., Predictors of cognitive decline and mortality of aged people over a 10- year period. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2004. 59(3): p. 268-74.
  12. Wilson, R.S., et al., Loneliness and risk of Alzheimer disease. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 64(2): p. 234-40.
  13. Djernes, J.K., Prevalence and predictors of depression in populations of elderly: a Acta Psychiatr Scand, 2006. 113(5): p. 372-87.
  14. Cooper, C., T.B. Balamurali, and G. Livingston, A systematic review of the prevalence and covariates of anxiety in caregivers of people with dementia. Int Psychogeriatr, 19(2): p. 175-95.
  15. Bryant, C., H. Jackson, and D. Ames, The prevalence of anxiety in older adults: Methodological issues and a review of the literature. Journal of Affective Disorders, 109(3): p. 233-250.
  16. Bryant, C., H. Jackson, and D. Ames, Depression and anxiety in medically unwell older adults: prevalence and short-term course. Int Psychogeriatr, 2009. 21(4): p. 754-63.
  17. Yohannes, A.M., R.C. Baldwin, and M.J. Connolly, Prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in elderly patients admitted in post-acute intermediate care. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2008. 23(11): p. 1141-1147.
  18. (RCGP), R.C.o.G.P., Tackling Loneliness: A Community Action Plan.
  19. Associates, A.H., Department of Health – Review of the Community Visitors Scheme Final Report.
  20. Måling af Mental Sundhed; Danskernes Trivsel 2016; SDU; https://connec.dk/download/515/
  21. Fællesskabsmålingen 2017; TrygFonden; https://connec.dk/download/470/
  22. Seniores Sociale rum kan udvides via informationsteknologi; Bionik & Menke 2015; https://connec.dk/download/405/
  23. Using technology to connect generations; Penn State; https://connec.dk/download/418/
  24. Rapport vedr. styrket indsats mod ensomhed for ældre mennesker med meget hjemmehjælp; Sundhedsstyrelsen; 2016; https://www.sst.dk/da/puljer-og- projekter/2016/~/media/3B455CCD49CA4334B9A8DD4BF5D832D6.ashx

 

A selection of  popular scientific material regarding loneliness:

(some titles are in Danish)