A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Reduce Loneliness
Open accessAbstract
Social and demographic trends are placing an increasing number of adults at risk for loneliness, an established risk factor for physical and mental illness. The growing costs of loneliness have led to a number of loneliness reduction interventions. Qualitative reviews have identified four primary intervention strategies: (a) improving social skills, (b) enhancing social support, (c) increasing opportunities for social contact, and (d) addressing maladaptive social cognition. An integrative meta-analysis of loneliness reduction interventions was conducted to quantify the effects of each strategy and to examine the potential role of moderator variables. Results revealed that single-group pre-post and nonrandomized comparison studies yielded larger mean effect sizes relative to randomized comparison studies. Among studies that used the latter design, the most successful interventions addressed maladaptive social cognition. This is consistent with current theories regarding loneliness and its etiology. Theoretical and methodological issues associated with designing new loneliness reduction interventions are discussed.
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Some technological interventions for reducing loneliness, as well as animal therapy or robot pets, were not found to significantly reduce loneliness.
“in contrast, some technological interventions for reducing loneliness, as well as animal therapy or robot pets, were not found to significantly reduce loneliness (Masi et al. 2011; Veronese et al. 2021), although other studies find more promising results of such interventions with older adults (Banks, Willoughby, and Banks 2008; Chen et al. 2020; Gasteiger et al. 2021).”
From AI Companions Reduce Loneliness (2024) · cites this paper as Masi et al. 2011
The Results (Studies with a Randomized Group Comparison Design; page unavailable) list Banks et al. (2008) among six studies that reduced loneliness; the Method (Primary Effect Size; page unavailable) says its primary intervention used a real dog. The Discussion says technology did not add benefit in randomized studies, not that technology-based interventions failed to reduce loneliness, and reports greater efficacy for them in non-randomized studies. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredChronic loneliness is closely associated with depressive symptoms, maladaptive social cognition, and poor recovery following a mental health crisis.
“As a potential stressor, chronic loneliness is closely associated with depressive symptoms, maladaptive social cognition, and poor recovery following a mental health crisis.82–84”
From A Longitudinal Study of Loneliness Before the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Trajectories, Predictors, and Impact on Chinese Adolescent Mental Health (2024) · cites this paper as [83]
The Health Effects section says loneliness predicts depressive symptoms and describes negative social cognitions associated with loneliness. The Conclusion also links loneliness to maladaptive social cognition. Neither passage establishes an association with poor recovery following a mental health crisis; the Discussion’s references to “recovery” concern improvement in loneliness after interventions, not recovery from a crisis (page numbers unavailable). (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredInterventions focusing on improving social skills and social support are successful strategies to alleviate loneliness among adults, as discussed in a previous meta-analysis.
“Interventions that focus on improving social skills and social support are one of the successful strategies that have been used to alleviate loneliness among adult population, as discussed in a previous meta-analysis [163].”
From Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing among adolescents: a systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [163]
The Results (Studies with a Randomized Group Comparison Design) report a significant reduction in loneliness for social-support interventions, but not for social-skills interventions (mean effect size 0.017, p = 0.90). The paper discusses earlier studies in which social-skills training helped, but its own meta-analysis does not establish both strategies as successful among adults. (LLM, conf=0.89)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMost current interventions assume loneliness results from lack of opportunities or competencies to form close relationships.
“Most current interventions assume loneliness results from lack of opportunities or competencies to form close relationships (Masi et al., 2011).”
From Young Adult Adaptability to the Social Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Protective Role of Friendships (2022) · cites this paper as Masi et al., 2011
Cognitive approaches (i.e., addressing maladaptive social cognition) were most effective in reducing loneliness compared to other strategies, such as social support.
“a meta-analysis by Masi et al. (2011) revealed that cognitive approaches (i.e., addressing maladaptive social cognition) were most effective in reducing loneliness compared to other strategies, such as social support.”
From Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an internet-based CBT intervention for loneliness in older adults: A pilot RCT (2024) · cites this paper as Masi et al. (2011)
Effects of loneliness interventions seem to be rather small in randomized group designs.
“as generally effects of loneliness interventions seem to be rather small in randomized group designs (Masi et al., 2011)”
From Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an internet-based CBT intervention for loneliness in older adults: A pilot RCT (2024) · cites this paper as Masi et al., 2011
Nine out of 10 reviews of depression prevention trials in children and adolescents report significant reductions in depressive symptoms, generally with small effect sizes.
“Nine out of 10 reviews of these trials report significant reductions in depressive symptoms, 428-436 generally with small effect sizes.”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [436]
Bullying at school (and in other settings) is an important target for interventions to avert a strong lifetime risk for depression.
“Bullying at school (and in other settings) is an important target for interventions to avert a strong lifetime risk for depression. 436”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [436]
Experiences of physical warmth/coldness and feelings of social warmth/coldness share similar sensorimotor representations.
“Cacioppo and Cacioppo [30] reviewed data suggesting that experiences of physical warmth/coldness and feelings of social warmth/coldness share similar sensorimotor representations.”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [30]
Loneliness or perceived social isolation may modulate how individuals perceive and mirror the expressions and actions of others, particularly nonverbal cues that may indicate social rejection.
“loneliness or perceived social isolation may play a role in modulating the way in which individuals perceive and mirror the expressions and actions of others, particularly nonverbal cues that may indicate social rejection.”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [30]
Some promising results have been reported for psychological approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness to help people change their thinking about social relationships, especially with older adult populations.
“Psychological approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness, have also been used to help people change their thinking about social relationships: some promising results have been reported, especially with older adult populations [77].”
From Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems: a systematic review (2018) · cites this paper as [77]
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Self-citationChiang, K., Chu, H., Chang, H., Chung, M., Chen, C., Chiou, H., & Chou, K. (2009) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.2350 · Cited by 320 · cited 8× · see citing works
“, 2009), 3 used a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008; Martina & Stevens, 2006), and 9 used a randomized group comparison design (Chiang et al., 2009; Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Coleman et al., 2005; Conoley & Garber, 1985; E. O. Cox et al., 2007; Fukui, Koike, Ooba, & Uchitomi, 2003; K. Heller et…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialPredictors of Loneliness in U.S. Adults Over Age Sixty-Five
Theeke, L. A. (2009) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2008.11.002 · Cited by 297 · cited 2× · see citing works
“According to the 2002 Health and Retirement Survey, 19.3% of U.S. adults older than age 65 reported feeling lonely for much of the previous week (Theeke, 2009).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSander, R. (2005) · Nursing Older People · doi:10.7748/nop.17.1.40.s11 · Cited by 297 · cited 4× · see citing works
“In the other three reviews, this classification was implicit, although not all reviews included studies that addressed impaired social cognition (Cattan et al., 2005; Cattan & White, 1998; Findlay, 2003).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialLoneliness: A Review of Current Literature, With Implications for Counseling and Research
McWhirter, B. T. (1990) · Journal of Counseling & Development · doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.1990.tb02521.x · Cited by 281 · cited 5× · see citing works
“Although this typology does not perfectly match that of Rook (1984) or McWhirter (1990b), most of the studies addressed social skills, social support, opportunities for social interaction, or social cognition.”
BackgroundInfluentialPromoting social bonding: Strategies for helping the lonely and socially isolated.
Rook, K. S. (1984) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.39.12.1389 · Cited by 269 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Rook (1984) acknowledged that many of the studies in her review were not successful or lacked experimental rigor but indicated that interventions that focused on social skills, social support, opportunities for social interaction, and social cognition held promise for reducing loneliness.”
BackgroundInfluentialWhite, H., McConnell, E., Clipp, E., Bynum, L., Teague, C., Navas, L., Craven, S., & Halbrecht, H. (1999) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/073346489901800306 · Cited by 261 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Four of the studies reported baseline differences in loneliness between the treatment and control groups (Cohen et al., 2006; Hartke & King, 2003; Martina & Stevens, 2006; White et al., 1999).”
BackgroundResultBarrientos, R. M., Sprunger, D. B., Campeau, S., Higgins, E. A., Watkins, L. R., Rudy, J. W., & Maier, S. F. (2003) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00564-5 · Cited by 251 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In addition, socially isolated animals demonstrate less dendritic arborization in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (Silva-Gomez, Rojas, Juarez, & Flores, 2003) as well as decreased production of brainderived neurotropic factors (Barrientos et al., 2003).”
BackgroundLoneliness impairs daytime functioning but not sleep duration.
Hawkley, L. C., Preacher, K. J., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0018646 · Cited by 247 · see citing works
Self-citationLoneliness and social skill deficits.
Jones, W. H., Hobbs, S. A., & Hockenbury, D. (1982) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.42.4.682 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Fokkema, T., & Knipscheer, K. (2007) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860701366129 · Cited by 230 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Although few studies have evaluated this approach, one study found mutual help groups reduced psychiatric symptoms, hospitalizations, and social isolation among the mentally ill (Galanter, 1988). According to Perese and Wolf (2005), one way to increase opportunities for social interaction is befriending, which “aims t…”
BackgroundInfluentialUsing information technology to improve the management of chronic disease
Celler, B. G., Lovell, N. H., & Basilakis, J. (2003) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05529.x · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Loneliness and social skill deficits.
Jones, W. H., Hobbs, S. A., & Hockenbury, D. (1982) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.42.4.682 · Cited by 219 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Although 12 studies originally failed to meet this criterion (Andersson, 1985; Brown, Allen, Dwozan, Mercer, & Warren, 2004; Clarke, Clarke, & Jagger, 1992; Evans & Jaureguy, 1982; Evans, Smith, Werkhoven, Fox, & Pritzl, 1986; Jones et al., 1982; McLarnon & Kaloupek, 1988; Routasalo, Tilvis, Kautiainen, & Pitkala, 200…”
A controlled study of self-help intervention for widows
Vachon, M. L. S., Lyall, W. A. L., Rogers, J. M., Freedman-Letofsky, K., & Freeman, S. J. J. (1980) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.137.11.1380 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Do Lonely Days Invade the Nights? Potential Social Modulation of Sleep Efficiency
Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., Berntson, G. G., et al. (2002) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.0956-7976.2002.00469.x · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Self-citationRoutasalo, P. E., Tilvis, R. S., Kautiainen, H., & Pitkala, K. H. (2009) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04837.x · Cited by 208 · see citing works
Transition to college: Network changes, social skills, and loneliness.
Shaver, P. R., Furman, W. C., & Buhrmester, D. (1985) · Cited by 192 · see citing works
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Loneliness in Adults: The Netherlands Twin Register Study
Boomsma, D. I., Willemsen, G., Dolan, C. V., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2005) · Behavior Genetics · doi:10.1007/s10519-005-6040-8 · Cited by 191 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Using procedures described by Borenstein et al. (2009), the influence of categorical moderator variables was assessed using subgroup analyses analogous to ANOVAs that partition the total effect size variance into variance within and between groups.”
MethodSelf-citationPerese, E. F., & Wolf, M. (2005) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840590959425 · Cited by 189 · cited 4× · see citing works
“The final review examined 36 studies and focused on persons with severe mental illness, a population whose 224 Personality and Social Psychology Review 15(3) prevalence of loneliness is approximately twice that of the general population (Perese & Wolf, 2005).”
BackgroundInfluentialAttributional style of lonely and depressed people.
Anderson, C. A., Horowitz, L. M., & French, R. D. S. (1983) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.45.1.127 · Cited by 181 · cited 1× · see citing works
“McWhirter (1990b) referred to several CBT-based studies that succeeded in reducing loneliness (Anderson & Arnoult, 1985; Anderson et al., 1983; Young, 1982).”
BackgroundEffects of preventive home visits to elderly people.
van Rossum, E., Frederiks, C. M. A., Philipsen, H., Portengen, K., Wiskerke, J., & Knipschild, P. G. (1993) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.307.6895.27 · Cited by 177 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…Tilvis, Kautiainen, & Pitkala, 2009; Seepersad, 2005; Stewart, Reutter, Letourneau, & Makawarimba, 2009; van Kordelaar, Stevens, & Pleiter, 2004; van Rossum et al., 1993), attempts to recover quantitative data from the authors were successful in two cases (Evans et al., 1986; Seepersad, 2005).”
BackgroundSex, race, residence, region, and education differences on the 11 WAIS-R subtests.
Kaufman, A. S., McLean, J. E., & Reynolds, C. (1988) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/1097-4679(198803)44:2 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Gierveld, J. D. J., & van Tilburg, T. G. (1999) · Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology · doi:10.1023/a:1006600825693 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Attributional Style and Everyday Problems in Living: Depression, Loneliness, and Shyness
Anderson, C. A., & Arnoult, L. H. (1985) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.1985.3.1.16 · Cited by 159 · cited 1× · see citing works
“McWhirter (1990b) referred to several CBT-based studies that succeeded in reducing loneliness (Anderson & Arnoult, 1985; Anderson et al., 1983; Young, 1982).”
BackgroundSocial regulation of leukocyte homeostasis: the role of glucocorticoid sensitivity
Cole, S. W. (2008) · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2008.02.006 · Cited by 156 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…2006), diminished immunity (Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 1984; Pressman et al., 2005), underexpression of genes bearing anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid response elements (Cole et al., 2007), and abnormal ratios of circulating white blood cells (e.g., neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes; Cole, 2008).”
BackgroundPeer support telephone dyads for elderly women: Was this the wrong intervention?
Heller, K., Thompson, M. G., Trueba, P. E., Hogg, J. R., & Vlachos-Weber, I. (1991) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1007/bf00942253 · Cited by 155 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…& Stevens, 2006), and 9 used a randomized group comparison design (Chiang et al., 2009; Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Coleman et al., 2005; Conoley & Garber, 1985; E. O. Cox et al., 2007; Fukui, Koike, Ooba, & Uchitomi, 2003; K. Heller et al., 1991; Kremers et al., 2006; McWhirter & Horan, 1996).”
Winningham, R. G., & Pike, N. L. (2007) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860701366228 · Cited by 153 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Banks et al. (2008) and Winningham and Pike (2007) did not report the gender composition of their samples.”
BackgroundStewart, M., Craig, D. M., MacPherson, K. M., & Alexander, S. (2001) · Public Health Nursing · doi:10.1046/j.1525-1446.2001.00054.x · Cited by 134 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Of these, 3 used a singlegroup pre-post design (McAuley et al., 2000; Stewart et al., 2001; Stewart et al., 2009), 3 used a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008; Martina & Stevens, 2006), and 9 used a randomized group comparison design (Chiang et al., 2009; Christian & D’Auria,…”
MethodGaikwad, R., & Warren, J. (2009) · Health Informatics Journal · doi:10.1177/1460458209102973 · Cited by 127 · cited 1× · see citing works
“This finding is somewhat disappointing as technology-based interventions have been helpful in managing other chronic diseases (Celler, Lovell, & Basilakis, 2003; Gaikwad & Warren, 2009).”
BackgroundAttributional style of lonely and depressed people.
Anderson, C. A., Horowitz, L. M., & French, R. D. S. (1983) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.127 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
The Influence of Shyness on Loneliness in a New Situation
Cheek, J. M., & Busch, C. M. (1981) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/014616728174008 · Cited by 118 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…(Peplau, Miceli, & Morasch, 1982), tend to blame themselves for social failures (Anderson, Horowitz, & French, 1983), are more self-consciousness in social situations (Cheek & Busch, 1981), and adopt behaviors that increase, rather than decrease, their likelihood of rejection (Horowitz, 1983).”
BackgroundSuicidal ideation and associated factors among school-going adolescents in rural Uganda
Rudatsikira, E., Muula, A. S., Siziya, S., & Twa-Twa, J. (2007) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1471-244x-7-67 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Combating loneliness: a friendship enrichment programme for older women
STEVENS, N. L. (2001) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x01008108 · Cited by 118 · cited 1× · see citing works
“However, simply bringing lonely people together may not result in new friendships because the thoughts and behaviors of lonely individuals make them less attractive to one another as relationship partners (Jerrome, 1983; Stevens, 2001).”
BackgroundResponse-acquisition and cognitive self-statement modification approaches to dating-skills training.
Glass, C. R., Gottman, J. M., & Shmurak, S. H. (1976) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-0167.23.6.520 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Intervention against loneliness in a group of elderly women: An impact evaluation
Anderson, L. (1985) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/0277-9536(85)90010-3 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Social isolation alters neuroinflammatory response to stroke
Karelina, K., Norman, G. J., Zhang, N., Morris, J. S., Peng, H., & DeVries, A. C. (2009) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0810737106 · Cited by 110 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Among mice, social isolation reduces central anti-inflammatory responses and increases infarct size following induction of stroke (Karelina et al., 2009).”
BackgroundMeasuring the emotional/social aspects of loneliness and isolation.
Vincenzi, H., & Grabosky, F. (1987) · Journal of social behavior and personality · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Martina, C. M. S., & Stevens, N. L. (2006) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860600637893 · Cited by 105 · cited 3× · see citing works
“One study (Stevens, Martina, & Westerhof, 2006) was excluded because it duplicated data and because more complete results were reported in Martina and Stevens (2006), which was already included as an eligible study.”
MethodResultLoneliness and the Evaluation of Relational Events
Duck, S. W., Pond, K., & Leatham, G. (1994) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407594112006 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Zealous self-help groups as adjuncts to psychiatric treatment: a study of Recovery, Inc
Galanter, M. S. (1988) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.145.10.1248 · Cited by 105 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Although few studies have evaluated this approach, one study found mutual help groups reduced psychiatric symptoms, hospitalizations, and social isolation among the mentally ill (Galanter, 1988).”
BackgroundTelephone Group Intervention for Older Stroke Caregivers
Hartke, R. J., & King, R. B. (2003) · Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation · doi:10.1310/rx0a-6e2y-bu8j-w0vl · Cited by 103 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Four of the studies reported baseline differences in loneliness between the treatment and control groups (Cohen et al., 2006; Hartke & King, 2003; Martina & Stevens, 2006; White et al., 1999).”
ResultInfluence of a Computer Intervention on the Psychological Status of Chronically Ill Rural Women
Hill, W. G., Weinert, C., & Cudney, S. A. (2006) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/00006199-200601000-00005 · Cited by 102 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Hill, Weinert, and Cudney (2006): The sample age ranged from 35 to 65 years old, with 92% older than 40 years old; the mean age was inferred to be 52 years old.”
BackgroundBrief Report: Individual Social-Multi-Modal Intervention for HFASD
Bauminger, N. (2006) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0245-4 · Cited by 102 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…Brannen, & Best, 2004) used in Yarnoz, Plazaola, and Etxeberria (2008); (c) 16-item Loneliness Scale (Asher, Hymel, & Renshaw, 1984) used in Bauminger (2007) and Christian and D’Auria (2006); (d) 24-item Loneliness Scale (Asher & Wheeler, 1985) used in Kolko, Loar, and Sturnick (1990) and…”
BackgroundMethodWhitehouse, W. G., Dinges, D. F., Orne, E. C., Keller, S. E., Bates, B. L., Bauer, N. K., Morahan, P. S., Haupt, B. A., Carlin, M. M., Bloom, P. B., et al. (1996) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199605000-00009 · Cited by 100 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Seven studies were excluded because the interventions were directed at stress relief (Whitehouse et al., 1996), anxiety and/or depression (Mynatt, Wicks, & Bolden, 2008; Ransom et al., 2008), or health behaviors (de Craen, Gussekloo, Blauw, Willems, & Westendorp, 2006; Hedberg, Wikstrom-Frison, &…”
BackgroundFactor analysis of the revised UCLA loneliness scale
McWhirter, B. T. (1990) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/bf02686768 · Cited by 98 · cited 6× · see citing works
“Various factor analytic studies have provided some evidence that the experience of loneliness can be partitioned into separable dimensions (Hawkley, Browne, & Cacioppo, 2005; Knight, Chisholm, Nigel, & Godfrey, 1988; McWhirter, 1990a), but these factors have also been found to be highly correlated, and their anteceden…”
BackgroundInfluentialSocial Intervention and the Elderly:A Randomized Controlled Trial
Clarke, M., Clarke, S. J., & Jagger, C. (1992) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116473 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Loneliness in Children
McGuire, S., & Clifford, J. (2000) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00293 · Cited by 94 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Research indicates that loneliness is approximately 50% heritable and 50% environmental (Boomsma, Willemsen, Dolan, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2005; McGuire & Clifford, 2000).”
BackgroundMeeting the need to belong: Predicting effects of a friendship enrichment program for older women
Stevens, N. L., Martina, C. M. S., & Westerhof, G. J. (2006) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/46.4.495 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Assisting friendships, combating loneliness: users' views on a ‘befriending’ scheme
Andrews, G. J., Gavin, N., BEGLEY, S., & Brodie, D. A. (2003) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x03001156 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Psychosocial Effects of the Boot Strap Intervention in Navy Recruits
Williams, A., Hagerty, B. M., Yousha, S. M., Horrocks, J., Hoyle, K. S., & Liu, D. (2004) · Military Medicine · doi:10.7205/milmed.169.10.814 · Cited by 90 · cited 5× · see citing works
“…= 7.73, df = 3, p = .05), and the 4 social cognitive training interventions (Chiang et al., 2009; Conoley & Garber, 1985; McWhirter & Horan, 1996; Williams et al., 2004) yielded greater loneliness reduction (mean effect size = –0.598, p = .001) compared to the 12 interventions to enhance social…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialSupportive Networks: Life Ties for the Elderly
Pilisuk, M., & Minkler, M. (1980) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1980.tb02024.x · Cited by 89 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Although the residents tended to stay in their rooms because of physical disability and fear of crime, the program increased social interaction in the lobbies and, over time, helped participants identify shared interests (Pilisuk & Minkler, 1980).”
BackgroundEffects of two types of social support and education on adaptation to early‐stage breast cancer
Samarel, N., Tulman, L. J., & Fawcett, J. (2002) · Research in Nursing & Health · doi:10.1002/nur.10061 · Cited by 87 · cited 5× · see citing works
“In Samarel, Tulman, and Fawcett (2002), the treatment included telephone support and group social support along with a mailed education kit; one control group received telephone support with mailed materials, and the other control group received only the mailed materials.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialImproved self-management ability and well-being in older women after a short group intervention
Kremers, I. P., Steverink, N., Albersnagel, F. A., & Slaets, J. P. J. (2006) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860600841206 · Cited by 86 · cited 4× · see citing works
“…effect sizes:9 One was a single-group pre-post design (Stewart et al., 2001), one was a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008), and four used a randomized group comparison design (Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Fukui et al., 2003; Heckman & Barcikowski, 2006; Kremers et al., 2006).”
MethodInfluentialBenefits of support groups for families of adults with severe mental illness.
Heller, T., Roccoforte, J. A., Hsieh, K., Cook, J. Α., & Pickett, S. A. (1997) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1037/h0080222 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Jessen, J., Cardiello, F., & Baun, M. M. (1996) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1996.78.1.339 · Cited by 84 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Two studies had interventions that were in effect continuously for a period of time and thus could not be quantified into sessions: Jessen, Cardiello, and Baun (1996), who placed a caged bird in participants’ rooms for 10 days; and Ollonqvist et al. (2008), who implemented an intervention that…”
Background(2005) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/6304.001.0001 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Divorce counseling: A community service for families in the midst of divorce.
Wallerstein, J. S., & Kelly, J. B. (1977) · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.1977.tb03240.x · Cited by 80 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…for the bereaved (Vachon, Lyall, Rogers, Freedman-Letofsky, & Freeman, 1980), for the elderly whose personal networks had been disrupted by relocation (Kowalski, 1981), and for children whose parents had divorced (Wallerstein & Kelly, 1977) all demonstrated Masi et al. 223 loneliness reductions.”
BackgroundHeckman, T. G., Barcikowski, R. S., Ogles, B. M., Suhr, J. A., Carlson, B. W., Holroyd, K., & Garske, J. P. (2006) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1207/s15324796abm3201_4 · Cited by 79 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…effect sizes:9 One was a single-group pre-post design (Stewart et al., 2001), one was a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008), and four used a randomized group comparison design (Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Fukui et al., 2003; Heckman & Barcikowski, 2006; Kremers et al., 2006).”
BackgroundMethodPeople Thinking About People: The Vicious Cycle of Being a Social Outcast in One's Own Mind.
Cacioppo, J. T., & Hawkley, L. C. (2005) · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Self-citationHawkley, L. C., Preacher, K. J., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2006) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195172188.003.0039 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citationBrown, V. M., Allen, A. C., Dwozan, M., Mercer, I., & Warren, K. (2004) · Journal of Gerontological Nursing · doi:10.3928/0098-9134-20041001-10 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Ransom, D., Heckman, T. G., Anderson, T., Garske, J. P., Holroyd, K., & Basta, T. B. (2008) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/ps.2008.59.8.871 · Cited by 71 · cited 2× · see citing works
“, 1996), anxiety and/or depression (Mynatt, Wicks, & Bolden, 2008; Ransom et al., 2008), or health behaviors (de Craen, Gussekloo, Blauw, Willems, & Westendorp, 2006; Hedberg, Wikstrom-Frison, & Janlert, 1998; Hopman-Rock & Westhoff, 2002; Soholt Lupton, Fonnebo, Sogaard, & Fylkesnes, 2005).”
Kolko, D. J., Loar, L. L., & Sturnick, D. (1990) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1990.tb00814.x · Cited by 69 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…Hymel, & Renshaw, 1984) used in Bauminger (2007) and Christian and D’Auria (2006); (d) 24-item Loneliness Scale (Asher & Wheeler, 1985) used in Kolko, Loar, and Sturnick (1990) and Allen-Kosal (2008); (e) 7-item loneliness scale (Paloutzian & Ellison, 1982) used in K. Heller, Thompson,…”
Evaluation of a Community-based Health Promotion Program for the Elderly: Lessons from Seniors CAN
Collins, C. C., & Benedict, J. A. (2006) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/0890-1171-21.1.45 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Effects of reframing and self-control directives on loneliness, depression, and controllability.
Conoley, C. W., & Garber, R. A. (1985) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-0167.32.1.139 · Cited by 60 · cited 6× · see citing works
“Conoley and Garber (1985) administered cognitive reframing as the main intervention.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialColeman, E. A., Tulman, L. J., Samarel, N., Wilmoth, M. C., Rickel, L., Rickel, M., & Stewart, C. B. (2005) · Oncology nursing forum · doi:10.1188/05.onf.822-829 · Cited by 60 · cited 4× · see citing works
“To interpret this effect size in familiar units, the 6 randomized studies that used the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale and reported loneliness means and standard deviations were further evaluated (Chiang et al., 2009; Coleman et al., 2005; Conoley & Garber, 1985; Hill, Weinert, & Cudney, 2006; Jessen, Cardiello, & Baun…”
MethodInfluentialHopps, S. L., Pépin, M., & Boisvert, J.-M. (2003) · Psychotherapy · doi:10.1037/0033-3204.40.1-2.136 · Cited by 60 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Hopps, Pepin, and Boisvert (2003) and Shapira, Barak, and Gal (2007) reported one-way ANOVA F statistics; Morrow-Howell et al. (1998), White et al. (2002), and Williams et al. (2004) reported t test statistics; and Rosen and Rosen (1982) reported c2 statistics.”
BackgroundFukui, S., Koike, M., Ooba, A., & Uchitomi, Y. (2003) · Oncology Nursing Forum · doi:10.1188/03.onf.823-830 · Cited by 58 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…effect sizes:9 One was a single-group pre-post design (Stewart et al., 2001), one was a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008), and four used a randomized group comparison design (Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Fukui et al., 2003; Heckman & Barcikowski, 2006; Kremers et al., 2006).”
MethodBattles, H. B., & Wiener, L. S. (2002) · Children s Health Care · doi:10.1207/s15326888chc3101_4 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Behavioral Training of Social Skills: A Critical Review
Twentyman, C. T., & Zimering, R. T. (1979) · Progress in behavior modification · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-535607-7.50012-8 · Cited by 57 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The author noted that although social skills training was initially developed to reduce anxiety and shyness, it has been successfully adapted to treat loneliness (Twentyman & Zimering, 1979).”
BackgroundWill Online Chat Help Alleviate Mood Loneliness?
Hu, M. (2009) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2008.0134 · Cited by 55 · cited 1× · see citing works
“One study (Hu, 2009) examined the effect of an intervention on an induced state of loneliness and was excluded from the analysis because induced loneliness is not comparable to the loneliness targeted in other included studies.”
ResultEvaluating an Intervention for the Elderly at Increased Risk of Suicide
Morrow-Howell, N. L., Becker-Kemppainen, S., & Lee, J. (1998) · Research on Social Work Practice · doi:10.1177/104973159800800104 · Cited by 54 · cited 3× · see citing works
“…of the unpredictable nature of homeless youth; Petryshen, Hawkins, and Fronchak (2001), because participants were offered a choice from about 200 group activities; and Morrow-Howell, Becker-Kemppainen, and Lee (1998), because of the different level of needs and suicide risks of their sample.”
BackgroundMethodBuilding Life Skills for Children With Cystic Fibrosis
Christian, B. J., & D’Auria, J. P. (2006) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/00006199-200609000-00002 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Cognitive Telephone Group Therapy with Physically Disabled Elderly Persons
Evans, R. L., Smith, K. M., Werkhoven, W. S., Fox, H. R., & Pritzl, D. O. (1986) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/26.1.8 · Cited by 53 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…Tilvis, Kautiainen, & Pitkala, 2009; Seepersad, 2005; Stewart, Reutter, Letourneau, & Makawarimba, 2009; van Kordelaar, Stevens, & Pleiter, 2004; van Rossum et al., 1993), attempts to recover quantitative data from the authors were successful in two cases (Evans et al., 1986; Seepersad, 2005).”
BackgroundThe enhancement of intimacy and the reduction of loneliness among child molesters
Marshall, W. L., Bryce, P., Hudson, S. M., Ward, T. J., & Moth, B. (1996) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/bf02336942 · Cited by 47 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Four studies did not provide information on intervention frequency: Marshall et al. (1996) and three studies listed in Fokkema (unpublished): (a) buddy care for homosexuals, (b) elderly support home visits, and (c) good company in a big home.”
BackgroundDo juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients benefit from an exercise program? A pilot study
Takken, T., van der Net, J. J., & Helders, P. J. M. (2001) · Arthritis & Rheumatism · doi:10.1002/1529-0131(200102)45:1 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Brennan, T., & Auslander, N. (1979) · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Zin en onzin van eenzaamheidsinterventies bij ouderen
Fokkema, T., & van Tilburg, T. G. (2007) · Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie · doi:10.1007/bf03074846 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
HEDBERG, G. E., Wikström-Frisén, L., & Janlert, U. (1998) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oem.55.8.554 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Alleviating Loneliness among Frail Older People – Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial
Ollonqvist, K., Palkeinen, H., Aaltonen, T., Pohjolainen, T., Puukka, P., Hinkka, K., & Pöntinen, S. (2008) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.1080/14623730.2008.9721760 · Cited by 42 · cited 4× · see citing works
“…for a period of time and thus could not be quantified into sessions: Jessen, Cardiello, and Baun (1996), who placed a caged bird in participants’ rooms for 10 days; and Ollonqvist et al. (2008), who implemented an intervention that included three separate inpatient periods over 8 months.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialA support intervention to promote health and coping among homeless youths.
Stewart, M., Reutter, L., Makwarimba, E., Letourneau, N., & Hungler, K. (2009) · PubMed · doi:10.7939/r3hq3s09r · Cited by 42 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Of these, 3 used a singlegroup pre-post design (McAuley et al., 2000; Stewart et al., 2001; Stewart et al., 2009), 3 used a nonrandomized group comparison design (Allen-Kosal, 2008; Martina & Stevens, 2006), and 9 used a randomized group comparison design (Chiang et al., 2009; Christian & D’Auria,…”
MethodMcLarnon, L. D., & Kaloupek, D. G. (1988) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037//0278-6133.7.3.231 · Cited by 41 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…Mercer, & Warren, 2004; Clarke, Clarke, & Jagger, 1992; Evans & Jaureguy, 1982; Evans, Smith, Werkhoven, Fox, & Pritzl, 1986; Jones et al., 1982; McLarnon & Kaloupek, 1988; Routasalo, Tilvis, Kautiainen, & Pitkala, 2009; Seepersad, 2005; Stewart, Reutter, Letourneau, & Makawarimba, 2009; van…”
Gerontological Society of America
(2017) · Springer Publishing Company eBooks · doi:10.1891/9780826150349.0109 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Treatment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in a Sample of Visually Impaired Elderly Persons
Evans, R. L., Werkhoven, W. S., & Fox, H. R. (1982) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1982.51.1.103 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Hopman-Rock, M., & Westhoff, M. H. (2002) · Journal of Aging and Physical Activity · doi:10.1123/japa.10.4.364 · Cited by 39 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…et al., 1996), anxiety and/or depression (Mynatt, Wicks, & Bolden, 2008; Ransom et al., 2008), or health behaviors (de Craen, Gussekloo, Blauw, Willems, & Westendorp, 2006; Hedberg, Wikstrom-Frison, & Janlert, 1998; Hopman-Rock & Westhoff, 2002; Soholt Lupton, Fonnebo, Sogaard, & Fylkesnes, 2005).”
Cox, A. D. (1993) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.163.1.6 · Cited by 38 · cited 1× · see citing works
“According to Perese and Wolf (2005), one way to increase opportunities for social interaction is befriending, which “aims to develop a relationship between individuals that is distinct from professional/client relationships” (A. D. Cox, 1993, p. 9).”
BackgroundPhone Therapy Outreach for Blind Elderly
Evans, R. L., & Jaureguy, B. M. (1982) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/22.1.32 · Cited by 38 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…12 studies originally failed to meet this criterion (Andersson, 1985; Brown, Allen, Dwozan, Mercer, & Warren, 2004; Clarke, Clarke, & Jagger, 1992; Evans & Jaureguy, 1982; Evans, Smith, Werkhoven, Fox, & Pritzl, 1986; Jones et al., 1982; McLarnon & Kaloupek, 1988; Routasalo, Tilvis, Kautiainen, &…”
Adaptation to Divorce: An Attachment-Based Intervention with Long-Term Divorced Parents
Yárnoz-Yaben, S., Rezola, M. P., & Etxeberría, J. (2008) · Journal of Divorce & Remarriage · doi:10.1080/10502550802222246 · Cited by 38 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…and Alexander (2001); (b) 15-item short version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (DiTommaso, Brannen, & Best, 2004) used in Yarnoz, Plazaola, and Etxeberria (2008); (c) 16-item Loneliness Scale (Asher, Hymel, & Renshaw, 1984) used in Bauminger (2007) and Christian and…”
MethodHealing traumatizing provider interactions among women through short-term group therapy
Sorenson, D. S. (2003) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1053/j.apnu.2003.10.002 · Cited by 35 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Sorenson (2003) was therefore included in the subsequent moderator analyses.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialConstruct validity of cognitive-behavioral treatments for intimate and social loneliness
McWhirter, B. T., & Horan, J. J. (1996) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/bf02686933 · Cited by 34 · cited 5× · see citing works
“…types was significant (Qb = 7.73, df = 3, p = .05), and the 4 social cognitive training interventions (Chiang et al., 2009; Conoley & Garber, 1985; McWhirter & Horan, 1996; Williams et al., 2004) yielded greater loneliness reduction (mean effect size = –0.598, p = .001) compared to the 12…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialMcLarnon, L. D., & Kaloupek, D. G. (1988) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.7.3.231 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Principles for Strengthening the Integrity of Clinical Research
Korn, D., & Ehringhaus, S. H. (2006) · PLoS Clinical Trials · doi:10.1371/journal.pctr.0010001 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Loneliness, Stress, and Human-Animal Attachment Among Older Adults
Keil, C. R. (1998) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781452232959.n7 · Cited by 32 · cited 1× · see citing works
“A sizable literature documents the benefits of owning “real” pets (Keil, 1988), so the real dog intervention was included as the primary intervention.”
BackgroundHales, G., Birch, C. J., Crowe, S., Workman, C., Hoy, J., Law, M. G., Kelleher, A. D., Lincoln, D. J., & Emery, S. (2006) · PLoS Clinical Trials · doi:10.1371/journal.pctr.0010018 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
An evaluation of the social recreation component of a community mental health program.
Petryshen, P., Hawkins, J. D., & Fronchak, T. A. (2001) · Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal · doi:10.1037/h0095083 · Cited by 30 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…that varied among participants: Stewart, Reutter, Letourneau, and Makawarimba (2009), because of the unpredictable nature of homeless youth; Petryshen, Hawkins, and Fronchak (2001), because participants were offered a choice from about 200 group activities; and Morrow-Howell,…”
BackgroundA Peer-Mediated Intervention with Clinic-Referred Socially Isolated Girls
Guevremont, D. C., MacMillan, V. M., Shawchuck, C. R., & Hansen, D. J. (1989) · Behavior Modification · doi:10.1177/01454455890131002 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Evaluating an intervention program for the elderly
Rosen, C. E., & Rosen, S. (1982) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/bf00757109 · Cited by 22 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…Hobart, Jang, and Seo (2007); (g) Frequency of loneliness (Older Americans Resources and Services Social Resource Rating Scale) used in Morrow-Howell et al. (1998); and (h) a single question asking the participants if they feel lonely used in Rosen and Rosen (1982) and Ollonqvist et al. (2008).”
BackgroundMethodPilot Study of INSIGHT Therapy in African American Women
Mynatt, S., Wicks, M. N., & Bolden, L. V. (2008) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2007.10.007 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Recovery, Inc., as an adjunct to treatment in an era of managed care
Murray, P. J. (1996) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/ps.47.12.1378 · Cited by 21 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Finally, deficits in social cognition were addressed through selfhelp groups, which attempted to change thinking from negative and fearful to positive and self-supportive (Murray, 1996).”
BackgroundInstitutional Relocation: Current Programs and Applied Approaches
Kowalski, N. C. (1981) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/21.5.512 · Cited by 21 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Among interventions that enhanced social support, professionally initiated interventions for the bereaved (Vachon, Lyall, Rogers, Freedman-Letofsky, & Freeman, 1980), for the elderly whose personal networks had been disrupted by relocation (Kowalski, 1981), and for children whose parents had divorced (Wallerstein & Ke…”
BackgroundCox, E. O., Green, K. E., Hobart, K. R., Jang, L.-J., & Seo, H. (2007) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/47.3.388 · Cited by 20 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…& Stevens, 2006), and 9 used a randomized group comparison design (Chiang et al., 2009; Christian & D’Auria, 2006; Coleman et al., 2005; Conoley & Garber, 1985; E. O. Cox et al., 2007; Fukui, Koike, Ooba, & Uchitomi, 2003; K. Heller et al., 1991; Kremers et al., 2006; McWhirter & Horan, 1996).”
Methodde Craen, A. J. M., Gussekloo, J., Blauw, G. J., Willems, C. G., & Westendorp, R. G. J. (2006) · PLoS Clinical Trials · doi:10.1371/journal.pctr.0010002 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Weeks, D. L. (2007) · Evaluation & the Health Professions · doi:10.1177/0163278707304043 · Cited by 17 · cited 2× · see citing works
“One reason is that single-group pre-post studies are vulnerable to regression toward the mean, in which individuals who have high scores on a loneliness measure on one occasion are likely to score less extremely on a second occasion even if no intervention had occurred (Weeks, 2007).”
BackgroundLonely Women in a Friendship Club
Jerrome, D. (1983) · British Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1080/03069888308253740 · Cited by 16 · cited 1× · see citing works
“However, simply bringing lonely people together may not result in new friendships because the thoughts and behaviors of lonely individuals make them less attractive to one another as relationship partners (Jerrome, 1983; Stevens, 2001).”
BackgroundRelationship between Self-Actualization and Self-Reported Loneliness
Moore, J. A., & Sermat, V. (1974) · Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Lupton, B. S., Fønnebø, V. M., Søgaard, A. J., & Fýlkesnes, K. (2005) · European Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1093/eurpub/cki101 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
[Home visits to the elderly in Leiden: an investigation into the effect on loneliness].
Aj, V. D. E., & Cm, F. (2006) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
(1998) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/0890-1171-13.2.tahp-1 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
(2006) · Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie · doi:10.1007/bf03074785 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Lee-Jones, C., Humphris, G., Dixon, R., & Bebbington Hatcher, M. (1997) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1611(199706)6:2 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 7
- Allen-Kosal LM 2008 Cooperative Learning and Cooperative Pre-Training: An Intervention for Loneliness in Elementary Students Unpublished Dissertation Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- Peplau LA Perlman D 1982 Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research, and therapy New York Wiley
- Rook KS Peplau LA Peplau LA Perlman D 1982 Perspectives on helping the lonely Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy New York Wiley
- Schneider B Waite LJ 2005 Being together, working apart Cambridge Cambridge University Press
- Seepersad SS 2005 Understanding and Helping the Lonely: An Evaluation of the Luv Program Unpublished Dissertation University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana
- van Kordelaar KACM Stevens NL Pleiter A 2004 Good Company in a Big Home described in Loneliness Interventions among older adults: Sense or nonsense? Fokkema CM van Tilburg TG Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie 38 4 185 203 17879823
- Young JE Peplau LA Perlman D 1982 Loneliness, depression and cognitive therapy: Theory and application Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy 379 406 New York Wiley
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., Brigden, A., Linney, C., McManus, M. N., Borwick, C., & Crawley, E. (2020) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.009 · Cited by 2,906 · see citing works
“Addressing negative thoughts about social encounters (eg, self-blame, self-devaluation) may also be effective.(30,94) During periods of prolonged social isolation, digital technology that provides evidencebased interventions to help young people to reappraise their thoughts and to change their behavior within the conf…”
BackgroundWang, J., Mann, F., Lloyd-Evans, B., Ma, R., & Johnson, S. (2018) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-018-1736-5 · Cited by 1,494 · see citing works
“Psychological approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness, have also been used to help people change their thinking about social relationships: some promising results have been reported, especially with older adult populations [77].”
MethodEffects of stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease
Kivimäki, M., & Steptoe, A. (2018) · Nature Reviews Cardiology · doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2017.189 · Cited by 1,197 · see citing works
Loneliness: clinical import and interventions
Cacioppo, S., Grippo, A. J., London, S., Goossens, L., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2015) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691615570616 · Cited by 1,206 · see citing works
“But, as noted above, a large number of contacts is not equivalent to high quality relationships (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundSelf-citationLoneliness Across the Life Span
Qualter, P., Vanhalst, J., Harris, R., Van Roekel, E., Lodder, G., Bangee, M., Maes, M., & Verhagen, M. (2015) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691615568999 · Cited by 1,080 · see citing works
“Increasing opportunities for social interaction Within the literature on loneliness, there is the argument that increasing social contact and opportunities for social reconnection could reduce loneliness (Qualter, 2003), but reviews (S. Cacioppo, 2015; Masi et al., 2011) provide strong empirical evidence that there ar…”
BackgroundResultTime for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission
Herrman, H., Patel, V., Kieling, C., Berk, M., Buchweitz, C., Cuijpers, P., Furukawa, T. A., Kessler, R. C., Kohrt, B. A., Maj, M., et al. (2022) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)02141-3 · Cited by 1,104 · see citing works
Kelly, M. E., Duff, H., Kelly, S., McHugh Power, J. E., Brennan, S., Lawlor, B. A., & Loughrey, D. G. (2017) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-017-0632-2 · Cited by 1,027 · see citing works
Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis
Ong, A. D., Uchino, B. N., & Wethington, E. (2016) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000441651 · Cited by 868 · see citing works
The growing problem of loneliness
Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2018) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30142-9 · Cited by 897 · see citing works
Self-citationHolt-Lunstad, J. (2018) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011902 · Cited by 873 · see citing works
The prevalence of loneliness across 113 countries: systematic review and meta-analysis
Surkalim, D. L., Luo, M., Eres, R., Gebel, K., van Buskirk, J., Bauman, A., & Ding, D. (2022) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-067068 · Cited by 821 · see citing works
Interventions targeting social isolation in older people: a systematic review
Dickens, A. P., Richards, S. H., Greaves, C. J., & Campbell, J. L. (2011) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-647 · Cited by 767 · see citing works
“A recent meta-analysis of 50 studies exclusively aimed at ameliorating feelings of loneliness [42] has been published since the date of our literature search.”
Hawkley, L. C., Thisted, R. A., Masi, C. M., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0017805 · Cited by 726 · see citing works
“Do effective interventions for loneliness exist? We recently completed a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of interventions for loneliness published between 1970 and April 2009 (Masi, Chen, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2009).”
Self-citationDonovan, N. J., & Blazer, D. (2020) · The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2020.08.005 · Cited by 739 · see citing works
Loneliness and social isolation interventions for older adults: a scoping review of reviews
Fakoya, O. A., McCorry, N. K., & Donnelly, M. (2020) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8251-6 · Cited by 842 · see citing works
“online chat room or social activities), and 4) social cognitive training if the intervention focused on changing participants’ social cognition [31].”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialToward a neurology of loneliness
Cacioppo, S., Capitanio, J. P., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2014) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0037618 · Cited by 623 · see citing works
Self-citationCreswell, J. D., Irwin, M. R., Burklund, L. J., Lieberman, M. D., Arevalo, J. M. G., Ma, J., Breen, E. C., & Cole, S. W. (2012) · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.006 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
“However, it is unlikely that non-specific group support accounts for the observed decreases in loneliness in the MBSR condition, as prior randomized controlled trials have found that loneliness is not altered following administration of social support and social skills training (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundResultAbdi, S., Spann, A., Borilovic, J., de Witte, L., & Hawley, M. (2019) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1189-9 · Cited by 623 · see citing works
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and social isolation: A narrative review of the literature
Calati, R., Ferrari, C., Brittner, M., Oasi, O., Olié, E., Carvalho, A. F., & Courtet, P. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.022 · Cited by 584 · see citing works
Evolutionary mechanisms for loneliness
Cacioppo, J. T., Cacioppo, S., & Boomsma, D. I. (2014) · Cognition and Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2013.837379 · Cited by 576 · see citing works
“Most individuals who feel lonely resolve their loneliness before it becomes an extreme condition, and even those who fail to resolve loneliness before it becomes severe nevertheless tend to form new connections given sufficient time (Masi et al., 2011).”
Self-citationLoneliness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Ernst, M., Niederer, D., Werner, A. M., Czaja, S. J., Mikton, C., Ong, A. D., Rosen, T., Brähler, E., & Beutel, M. E. (2022) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0001005 · Cited by 584 · see citing works
The Effect of Loneliness on Distinct Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis
Park, C., Majeed, A., Gill, H., Tamura, J., Ho, R. C., Mansur, R. B., Nasri, F., Lee, Y., Rosenblat, J. D., Wong, E., et al. (2020) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113514 · Cited by 604 · see citing works
Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review
O’Day, E. B., & Heimberg, R. G. (2021) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100070 · Cited by 560 · see citing works
Social isolation, loneliness and depression in young adulthood: a behavioural genetic analysis
Matthews, T., Danese, A., Wertz, J., Odgers, C. L., Ambler, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Arseneault, L. (2016) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-016-1178-7 · Cited by 534 · see citing works
“Consistent with this, a meta-analysis of interventions suggests that addressing negative social cognitions shows greater promise as a strategy to reduce loneliness, compared to interventions focused on increasing social contact or support [56, 57].”
ResultModern attitudes toward older adults in the aging world: A cross-cultural meta-analysis.
North, M. S., & Fiske, S. T. (2015) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0039469 · Cited by 569 · see citing works
A systematic review of longitudinal risk factors for loneliness in older adults
Dahlberg, L., McKee, K., Frank, A., & Naseer, M. (2021) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2021.1876638 · Cited by 539 · see citing works
“A similar research limitation has been observed in longitudinal research on interventions to reduce loneliness (Masi, Chen, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2011).”
BackgroundLoneliness and depression in the elderly: the role of social network
Domènech-Abella, J., Lara, E., Rubio-Valera, M., Olaya, B., Moneta, M. V., Rico-Uribe, L. A., Ayuso-Mateos, J. L., Mundó, J., & Haro, J. M. (2017) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-017-1339-3 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
“Although many studies based on addressing maladaptive social cognition showed greater effectiveness in reducing loneliness than others based on increasing social interactions and communication skills [39], the results of this study show the need to examine the role of the social network in the feelings of loneliness a…”
Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Cardiovascular Health
Xia, N., & Li, H. (2017) · Antioxidants and Redox Signaling · doi:10.1089/ars.2017.7312 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
Perceived social isolation, evolutionary fitness and health outcomes: a lifespan approach
Hawkley, L. C., & Capitanio, J. P. (2015) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2014.0114 · Cited by 468 · see citing works
Self-citationHow the COVID-19 pandemic is focusing attention on loneliness and social isolation
Smith, B., & Lim, M. (2020) · Public Health Research and Practice · doi:10.17061/phrp3022008 · Cited by 460 · see citing works
Pu, L., Moyle, W., Jones, C., & Todorovic, M. (2019) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gny046 · Cited by 516 · see citing works
Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Haslam, S. A., Dingle, G., & Chang, M. X.-L. (2016) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.01.010 · Cited by 458 · see citing works
“At the same time, though, as Masi et al. (2011) meta-analysis makes clear, we need one that is more powerful than the social skills and support strategies currently offered.”
BackgroundInfluentialLoneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety.
Lim, M. H., Rodebaugh, T. L., Zyphur, M. J., & Gleeson, J. F. M. (2016) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/abn0000162 · Cited by 443 · see citing works
Aknin, L. B., De Neve, J.-E., Dunn, E. W., Fancourt, D. E., Goldberg, E., Helliwell, J. F., Jones, S. P., Karam, E., Layard, R., Lyubomirsky, S., et al. (2022) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/17456916211029964 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Viertiö, S., Kiviruusu, O. H., Piirtola, M., Kaprio, J. A., Korhonen, T., MARTTUNEN, M. J., & Suvisaari, J. (2021) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10560-y · Cited by 472 · see citing works
Lim, M. H., Eres, R., & Vasan, S. (2020) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-020-01889-7 · Cited by 438 · see citing works
Social relationships and depression: ten-year follow-up from a nationally representative study
Teo, A. R., Choi, H., & Valenstein, M. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062396 · Cited by 423 · see citing works
“[35] Interpersonal psychotherapy– which can focus on areas such as conflicts in one’s social relationships–is efficacious as both acute and maintenance treatment for depression, [36] though dissemination remains low.”
BackgroundNo Employee an Island: Workplace Loneliness and Job Performance
Özçelik, H., & Barsade, S. G. (2018) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2015.1066 · Cited by 426 · see citing works
“This occurs when people come to believe that the meaningful social connections they want are not available; their fear, hypervigilance, and subjective feelings of rejection cause them to withdraw and give up on building the very interpersonal relationships they crave (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundInfluentialThe effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health
Brandt, L., Liu, S., Heim, C. C., & Heinz, A. (2022) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-022-02178-4 · Cited by 480 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis of interventions to ease social isolation stress [169] has identified and categorized four core intervention strategies including: (1) improving social skills (e.”
MethodThe Stability and Change of Loneliness Across the Life Span: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Mund, M., Freuding, M. M., Möbius, K., Horn, N., & Neyer, F. J. (2020) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868319850738 · Cited by 417 · see citing works
Psychological Consequences of Social Isolation During COVID-19 Outbreak
Pietrabissa, G., & Simpson, S. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02201 · Cited by 431 · see citing works
“In spite of the clear risks associated with loneliness, treatments to date based on cognitive-behavioral principles have shown poor outcomes (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundLonely young adults in modern Britain: findings from an epidemiological cohort study
Matthews, T., Danese, A., Caspi, A., Fisher, H. L., Goldman-Mellor, S., Kepa, A., Moffitt, T. E., Odgers, C. L., & Arseneault, L. (2019) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291718000788 · Cited by 381 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis of interventions to reduce loneliness indicates that the most successful strategies involve addressing destructive patterns of social cognition in a counselling or psychotherapeutic setting (Masi et al. 2011).”
BackgroundLoneliness in the Modern Age: An Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness (ETL)
Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2018) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/bs.aesp.2018.03.003 · Cited by 481 · see citing works
Self-citationLoneliness and the onset of new mental health problems in the general population
Mann, F., Wang, J., Pearce, E., Ma, R., Schlief, M., Lloyd‐Evans, B., Ikhtabi, S., & Johnson, S. (2022) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02261-7 · Cited by 426 · see citing works
“Studies on loneliness interventions in people with established mental health problems have tended to demonstrate only modest effect sizes when they show any impact on loneliness [75], though the number of studies is small.”
BackgroundCan digital technology enhance social connectedness among older adults? A feasibility study
Barbosa Neves, B., Franz, R., Judges, R., Beermann, C., & Baecker, R. (2019) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/0733464817741369 · Cited by 384 · see citing works
“Bringing together acceptability and efficacy, our findings revealed that an accessible app can be a feasible tool for social connectedness (as proposed in Findlay, 2003; Keefe et al., 2006; Khosravi et al., 2016; Masi et al., 2011) if five feasibility elements are considered.”
BackgroundInterventions to address social connectedness and loneliness for older adults: a scoping review
O’Rourke, H. M., Collins, L., & Sidani, S. (2018) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0897-x · Cited by 362 · see citing works
Lindsay, E. K., Young, S., Brown, K. W., Smyth, J. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2019) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1813588116 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
“However, despite efforts to develop evidence-based interventions, few interventions have been effective for mitigating both loneliness and social isolation (5, 6).”
BackgroundMann, F., Bone, J. K., Lloyd-Evans, B., Frerichs, J., Pinfold, V., Ma, R., Wang, J., & Johnson, S. (2017) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-017-1392-y · Cited by 346 · see citing works
“A 2011 meta-analysis of loneliness and social isolation interventions [31] identified four primary strategies: (1) improving social skills; (2) enhancing existing social support; (3) increasing opportunities for new social contact; and (4) addressing maladaptive social cognitions.”
BackgroundFeelings of loneliness among adults with mental disorder
Meltzer, H., Bebbington, P., Dennis, M. S., Jenkins, R., McManus, S., & Brugha, T. S. (2013) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-012-0515-8 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
A Longitudinal Analysis of Loneliness Among Older People in Great Britain
Victor, C. R., & Bowling, A. (2012) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2011.609572 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Mouratidis, K. (2017) · Cities · doi:10.1016/j.cities.2017.10.020 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
“Improving social support – which depends on both the number of relationships as well as the frequency of socializing (McDowell, 2006) – and enhancing opportunities for social contact have both been suggested as measures to address loneliness and its associated risks (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundFrom loss to loneliness: The relationship between bereavement and depressive symptoms.
Fried, E. I., Bockting, C., Arjadi, R., Borsboom, D., Amshoff, M., Cramer, A. O. J., Epskamp, S., Tuerlinckx, F., Carr, D., & Stroebe, M. (2015) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/abn0000028 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
“Various approaches have been developed to specifically target loneliness (Peplau & Perlman, 1982); cognitive– behavioral therapy with a focus on maladaptive social cognitions have been found to be especially effective in randomized controlled trials (Masi et al., 2011).”
It is all in their mind: A review on information processing bias in lonely individuals.
Spithoven, A., Bijttebier, P., & Goossens, L. (2017) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.003 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis on intervention programs designed to reduce loneliness reached a similar conclusion (Masi et al., 2010).”
Loneliness and physical activity: A systematic review
Pels, F., & Kleinert, J. (2016) · International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1750984x.2016.1177849 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
“Accordingly, studies have found different dimensions of loneliness to be highly correlated and their antecedents and consequences to have a high degree of overlap (for an overview, see Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundPoscia, A., Stojanovic, J., La Milia, D. I., Duplaga, M., Grysztar, M., Moscato, U., Onder, G., Collamati, A., Ricciardi, W., & Magnavita, N. (2018) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.017 · Cited by 369 · see citing works
“For example, group interventions might provide beneficial effects and create a sense of security and belonging, but the true effect of the intervention might be masked by the nature of gathering in a group (Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundA Systematic Review of Loneliness and Common Chronic Physical Conditions in Adults
Petitte, T. M., Mallow, J. A., Barnes, E. R., Petrone, A. B., Barr, T. L., & Theeke, L. A. (2015) · The Open Psychology Journal · doi:10.2174/1874350101508010113 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
“One meta-analysis of interventions, that included studies across populations and age groups, reported that the most effective interventions may be those that address the ineffective or maladaptive thinking processes that occur when one is experiencing loneliness [64].”
BackgroundReview: Alleviating loneliness in young people – a meta‐analysis of interventions
Eccles, A. M., & Qualter, P. (2021) · Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi:10.1111/camh.12389 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
“Other potential moderators focused on the delivery of the intervention and included (1) groups or individual delivery (Cattan et al., 2005; Findlay, 2003; Masi et al., 2011; McWhirter, 1990; Rook, 1984), the use of technology (Findlay, 2003; Hagan et al.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialHoang, P., King, J. A., Moore, S., Moore, K., Reich, K., Sidhu, H., Tan, C. V., Whaley, C., & McMillan, J. (2022) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36676 · Cited by 315 · see citing works
Loneliness, Resilience, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Old Age: A Structural Equation Model
Gerino, E., Rollè, L., Sechi, C., & Brustia, P. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02003 · Cited by 311 · see citing works
“The fact that loneliness could be reduced (Findlay, 2003; Cattan et al., 2005; Fokkema and Van Tilburg, 2007; Dickens et al., 2011; Forsman et al., 2011; Masi et al., 2011; Hagan et al., 2014), self-efficacy beliefs modified (Bandura, 1993), and resilience strengthened (Hartling, 2008) makes these factors primary for…”
BackgroundSwift, H. J., Abrams, D., Lamont, R. A., & Drury, L. (2017) · Social Issues and Policy Review · doi:10.1111/sipr.12031 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
“Where are all the lonely people?” A population-based study of high-risk groups across the life span
Lasgaard, M., Friis, K., & Shevlin, M. (2016) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-016-1279-3 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
“At present, available research indicates that social cognitively oriented interventions may be effective in alleviating loneliness, although more randomised controlled studies are needed [59].”
BackgroundInterventions for Alleviating Loneliness among Older Persons: A Critical Review
Cohen-Mansfield, J., & Perach, R. (2015) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/ajhp.130418-lit-182 · Cited by 277 · see citing works
Smith, M. L., Steinman, L. E., & Casey, E. A. (2020) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00403 · Cited by 286 · see citing works
“(54) offer a user typology for selecting appropriate interventions based on what the intervention is targeting.”
BackgroundLoneliness from young adulthood to old age: explaining age differences in loneliness
Hawkley, L. C., Buecker, S., Kaiser, T., & Luhmann, M. (2022) · International Journal of Behavioral Development · doi:10.1177/0165025420971048 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Hickin, N., Käll, A., Shafran, R., Sutcliffe, S., Manzotti, G., & Langan, D. (2021) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102066 · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Relationship between loneliness and mental health in students
Richardson, T., Elliott, P., & Roberts, R. (2017) · Journal of Public Mental Health · doi:10.1108/jpmh-03-2016-0013 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Rafnsson, S. B., Orrell, M., d’Orsi, E., Hogervorst, E., & Steptoe, A. (2020) · The Journals of Gerontology: Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx087 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
Steffens, N. K., LaRue, C. J., Haslam, C., Walter, Z. C., Cruwys, T., Munt, K. A., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., & Tarrant, M. (2021) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2019.1669481 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Moeller, R. W., & Seehuus, M. (2019) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.03.006 · Cited by 254 · see citing works
“Considering depression is associated with poor executive functioning (Cacioppo & Hawkley, 2009; Cotrena, Branco, Shansis, & Fonseca, 2016), it could be that the impaired executive function is itself associated with a negative bias in the decoding of social information (Henry, von Hippel, Molenberghs, Lee, & Sachdev, 2…”
BackgroundThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults
Pue, S. D., Gillebert, C. R., Dierckx, E., Vanderhasselt, M.-A., Raedt, R. D., & den Bussche, E. V. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84127-7 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Jia, R., Ayling, K., Chalder, T., Massey, A., Broadbent, E., Coupland, C., & Vedhara, K. (2020) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040620 · Cited by 329 · see citing works
Safe but Lonely? Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms and COVID-19
Okruszek, Ł., Aniszewska-Stańczuk, A., Piejka, A., Wiśniewska, M., & Żurek, K. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579181 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Goll, J. C., Charlesworth, G. M., Scior, K., & Stott, J. C. H. (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0116664 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
“Additionally, interventions to increase social participation may lead to reductions in loneliness [26].”
BackgroundLoneliness in psychosis: a systematic review
Lim, M. H., Gleeson, J., Álvarez‐Jiménez, M., & Penn, D. L. (2018) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-018-1482-5 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
“Cognitive restructuring about how one feels about their interpersonal relationships has been recommended as one effective strategy to adopt within in loneliness interventions [24].”
BackgroundEvaluation of Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Women in the US
Golaszewski, N. M., LaCroix, A. Z., Godino, J., Allison, M., Manson, J. E., King, J. J., Weitlauf, J. C., Bea, J. W., García, L., Kroenke, C. H., et al. (2022) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.46461 · Cited by 232 · see citing works
Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Chang, M. X. L., Bentley, S. V., Haslam, S. A., Dingle, G. A., & Jetten, J. (2019) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000427 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
“There are numerous interventions to tackle loneliness and considerable variability in their effectiveness (Cacioppo et al., 2015; Masi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundInfluentialSocial isolation and loneliness: the new geriatric giants: Approach for primary care.
Freedman, A., & Nicolle, J. (2020) · PubMed Central · Cited by 223 · see citing works
Deckx, L., van den Akker, M., & Buntinx, F. (2014) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2014.05.002 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Reducing social isolation and loneliness in older people: a systematic review protocol
Landeiro, F., Barrows, P., Musson, E. N., Gray, A. M., & Leal, J. (2017) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013778 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Cené, C. W., Beckie, T. M., Sims, M., Suglia, S. F., Aggarwal, B., Moise, N., Jiménez, M. C., Gaye, B., & McCullough, L. D. (2022) · Journal of the American Heart Association · doi:10.1161/jaha.122.026493 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
Astell‐Burt, T., Hartig, T., Putra, I. G. N. E., Walsan, R., Dendup, T., & Feng, X. (2022) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157521 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness)
Campagne, D. M. (2019) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.007 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
A Meta-Analysis of the Relations Between Three Types of Peer Norms and Adolescent Sexual Behavior
van de Bongardt, D., Reitz, E., Sandfort, T. G. M., & Deković, M. (2014) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868314544223 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Forsman, A. K., Nordmyr, J., & Wahlbeck, K. (2011) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/dar074 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
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“Indeed, loneliness interventions that addressed maladaptive social cognition (including attribution style) had a larger effect size compared to any other type of intervention (i.e., addressing social support, social skills, and opportunities for social interventions; Masi et al. 2011).”
BackgroundNewall, N. E. G., & Menec, V. H. (2019) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407517749045 · Cited by 208 · see citing works
Loneliness among people with substance use problems: A narrative systematic review
Ingram, I., Kelly, P. J., Deane, F. P., Baker, A. L., Goh, M. C. W., Raftery, D. K., & Dingle, G. A. (2020) · Drug and Alcohol Review · doi:10.1111/dar.13064 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Maes, M., Nelemans, S. A., Danneel, S., Fernández-Castilla, B., Van den Noortgate, W., Goossens, L., & Vanhalst, J. (2019) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/dev0000719 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Factors associated with suicidal thoughts in a large community study of older adults
Almeida, O. P., Draper, B., Snowdon, J. A., Lautenschlager, N. T., Pirkis, J., Byrne, G. J., Sim, M., Stocks, N., Flicker, L. A., & Pfaff, J. J. (2012) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.110130 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Reducing loneliness amongst older people: a systematic search and narrative review
Hagan, R. J., Manktelow, R., Taylor, B. J., & Mallett, J. (2014) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.875122 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
“Masi et al. (2011) are concerned that interventions that reduce social isolation do not necessarily reduce loneliness, supporting not only Weiss’ contention that there are different types of loneliness, but also Victor et al.’s (2009) assertion that social isolation is distinct from loneliness.”
BackgroundDavies, K., Maharani, A., Chandola, T., Todd, C. J., & Pendleton, N. (2021) · The Lancet Healthy Longevity · doi:10.1016/s2666-7568(20)30038-6 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Social Pain and Physical Pain: Shared Paths To Resilience
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Loneliness across time and space
Luhmann, M., Buecker, S., & Rüsberg, M. (2022) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-022-00124-1 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Ma, R., Mann, F., Wang, J., Lloyd‐Evans, B., Terhune, J., Al-Shihabi, A., & Johnson, S. (2019) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-019-01800-z · Cited by 192 · see citing works
“Masi’s meta-analysis in 2011 [34] has been considered one of the most comprehensive reviews to date examining interventions for loneliness, identifying four main types of intervention.”
BackgroundOn the reciprocal association between loneliness and subjective well-being
VanderWeele, T. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2012) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kws173 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
“6 standard deviations) were those using a cognitive-behavioral approach (52).”
Self-citationMenec, V. H., Newall, N. E., Mackenzie, C. S., Shooshtari, S., & Nowicki, S. (2019) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211143 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
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“, enhancing social support and increasing opportunities for social contact) were less effective compared to interventions addressing maladaptive social cognitions (Masi et al. 2011).”
BackgroundA Practical Approach to Assessing and Mitigating Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults
Perissinotto, C. M., Holt‐Lunstad, J., Periyakoil, V. S., & Covinsky, K. E. (2019) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/jgs.15746 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Kahlon, M. K., Aksan, N., Aubrey, R., Clark, N., Cowley-Morillo, M., Jacobs, E. A., Mundhenk, R., Sebastian, K. R., & Tomlinson, S. (2021) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0113 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
“Logistic mixed-effect regressions were run in addition to linear mixed-effect regressions when instruments had well-established clinical cutoffs for mild (5-9), moderate (10-19), or severe (>20) depression (PHQ-8)18 or anxiety (GAD-7)19 to gauge clinical significance.”
Method
- Authors
- Masi, C. M., Chen, H.-Y., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- Corresponding author
- Masi, Christopher M.
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2010-08-17
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 219-266
- ISSN
- 1088-8683 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7957
- PMC
- PMC3865701
- OpenAlex
- W2138867401
- Cited by
- 1,995
- References
- 168
- Citations by year
- 2026: 149 · 2025: 211 · 2024: 212 · 2023: 205 · 2022: 214 · 2021: 231 · 2020: 221 · 2019: 130 · 2018: 90 · 2017: 92 · 2016: 54 · 2015: 67 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 18
- FWCI
- 4.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (Z99 RG999999, 5r01ag036433-02)
- National Institute on Aging (R01-AG036433, K08AG027200, R01AG034052)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- loneliness, social skills training, social support, social contact, intervention effectiveness, moderators, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Health Promotion, Humans, Loneliness, Psychotherapy, Research Design, Social Adjustment, Social Perception, Social Support
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