New developments in loneliness interventions: Research and practice

Abstract

A recent meta-analysis of loneliness interventions concluded that interventions aimed at influencing social cognitions were more effective than those aimed at improving social support or contact. No difference in effects of group versus individual interventions were found, technology was only effective in non-randomized studies. Also interventions worked better for males than females. Since the meta-analysis was published, new intervention studies have appeared. These include a bereavement visiting program, a telephone befriending scheme for socially isolated elders, programs providing elders opportunities for playing Wii regularly and for using video conferencing to enhance family visits with nursing home residents, and psychosocial group rehabilitation for lonely older persons. Some interventions are in line with the meta-analysis whilst others are not; issues raised include qualitative versus quantitative measures of effects of an intervention, the importance of understanding for whom effects are positive, neutral or possibly negative, and the importance of gender.