Are Young Adults with Long-Standing Illness Or Disability at Increased Risk of Loneliness? Evidence from the Uk Longitudinal Household Study

McGlone, Megan; Long, Emily

doi:10.4081/jphr.2020.1861

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Meanwhile, young adults with a pre-existing mental health problem or one or more long-standing physical health conditions reported higher loneliness levels during this unusual period, coinciding with previous research ( McGlone and Long, 2020 ; O'Connor et al., 2020 ). The current findings reaffirm the heightened risks brought by these long-term conditions, calling attention to tailoring interventions for vulnerable young adults.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…COVID-focused studies with UK samples have shown that females and those with low income or who are unemployed were more likely to experience loneliness, whereas those living with a romantic partner were less likely to feel lonely ( Bu et al., 2020 ; Li & Wang, 2020 ; O'Connor et al., 2020 ). Other important covariates related to increased loneliness during the pandemic include physical and mental health problems ( McGlone & Long, 2020 ; O'Connor et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The trajectory of loneliness in UK young adults during the summer to winter months of COVID-19

Gutman

2021

Psychiatry Research

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Current research has shown that young adults are at the greatest risk of loneliness during the pandemic. Drawing upon the Understanding Society COVID-19 survey, this study investigated the trajectory of loneliness in young adults (aged 18-25) from June to November 2020 and its association with emotional support as well as demographic and health factors. The analytic sample included 419 young adults (296 females; 123 males). Growth curve modelling revealed a U-shape longitudinal trend in self-reported loneliness, with a sharp rise during the winter months under the national lockdown. Young adults with long-standing physical or mental health conditions were more likely to report feeling lonely. Those with a lower household income and who were unemployed or not in school reported higher levels of loneliness. Gender was found to moderate the association between self-reported emotional support and loneliness. While greater emotional support was associated with less loneliness in males, no association was shown for females. The current findings add to our understanding of how the pandemic has affected the mental health of young adults and the differential effect of emotional support as a potential coping strategy for males and females.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The trajectory of loneliness in UK young adults during the summer to winter months of COVID-19

Gutman

2021

Psychiatry Research

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“…27 Responses to the three items were summed, creating a variable ranging from 0 to 6. In line with previous use of this scale, [28][29][30] we considered loneliness as a continuous outcome.…”

Section: Lonelinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness in young people: a multilevel exploration of social ecological influences and geographic variation

Marquez

Goodfellow

Hardoon³

et al. 2022

Journal of Public Health

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Background Loneliness is a growing public health concern, yet little is known about loneliness in young people. The current study aimed to identify social ecological factors related to loneliness and examine the extent to which geographic region may account for differences in loneliness. Methods The data come from a cross-sectional sample of 6503 young people living in the UK. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA 3-item scale. Bivariate analyses were used to test associations between each predictor and loneliness. Multilevel models were used to identify key social ecological factors related to loneliness, and the extent to which loneliness may vary across geographic regions (local authority districts). Results Sociodemographic, social, health and well-being, and community factors were found to be associated with loneliness. Geographic region was associated with 5–8% of the variation in loneliness. The effect of gender, sexual orientation and minority ethnic background on loneliness differed across regions. Conclusions This is the first study to highlight modifiable social and community factors related to youth loneliness, and individual vulnerabilities, such as poor mental well-being. Results related to geographic differences suggest that local-level initiatives may be most appropriate in tackling loneliness, rather than wider, less contextualized national efforts.

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“…For example, loneliness is more prevalent among YAs than older adults, 12,13 and YAs with longstanding illness, such as cancer, have higher incidence and severity of loneliness than healthy peers. 14 Social connectedness is another determinant of health that is theorized to mechanistically underlie the health-promoting effects of social relationships. 15 It is linked to longer life expectancy, better mental health, better cognitive functioning, and enhanced neuroendocrine and immune regulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although most research on social isolation has focused on older adults, emerging evidence underscores its relevance for YAs. For example, loneliness is more prevalent among YAs than older adults, 12,13 and YAs with long‐standing illness, such as cancer, have higher incidence and severity of loneliness than healthy peers 14 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social isolation and social connectedness among young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review

Fox,

Armstrong,

Gaumond

et al. 2023

Cancer

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BackgroundSocial isolation and connectedness are social determinants of health that have demonstrated effects on cancer‐related outcomes. These constructs have been systematically evaluated among pediatric and older adult cancer populations. In this review, the authors evaluated the prevalence, correlates, and psychosocial implications of social isolation and connectedness among young adult (YA) cancer survivors aged 18–39 years.MethodsPeer‐reviewed articles published in English before June 2021 were identified from database searches and included articles' reference lists according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Included articles described studies that assessed social isolation and/or connectedness among YA cancer survivors.ResultsIn total, 5094 unique records were identified; 4143 were excluded after title/abstract screening, and 907 were excluded after full‐text review. Forty‐four articles were included. Few studies used validated measures or directly assessed social isolation or connectedness. Social isolation was similarly prevalent among YAs and older cancer survivors and noncancer populations. Demographic, clinical, and behavioral risk and protective factors for social isolation were identified. Social isolation was related to worse psychological well‐being, whereas social connectedness was often, but not always, related to better psychological well‐being.ConclusionsThis growing literature underscores the relevance of social isolation and connectedness as important health determinants among YA cancer survivors. The identified risk and protective factors can identify YAs who especially may benefit from screening for social isolation. Future studies are needed that directly, reliably, and validly evaluate social isolation and connectedness to inform the development of interventions to decrease isolation and increase connectedness.

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Are Young Adults with Long-Standing Illness Or Disability at Increased Risk of Loneliness? Evidence from the Uk Longitudinal Household Study

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

The trajectory of loneliness in UK young adults during the summer to winter months of COVID-19

The trajectory of loneliness in UK young adults during the summer to winter months of COVID-19

Loneliness in young people: a multilevel exploration of social ecological influences and geographic variation

Social isolation and social connectedness among young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review

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