Loneliness in Europe: Personal and Societal Individualism-Collectivism and Their Connection to Social Isolation

Swader, Christopher S.

doi:10.1093/sf/soy088

Cited by 60 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Disintegratory conditions will therefore be reflected in a subjective state of social isolation that arouses feelings of anxiety and dread. Empirical research supports this general perspective, demonstrating that social detachment can spur perceptions of social isolation that are substantially associated with psychological distress (Cacioppo et al 2011;Swader 2019).…”

Section: Social Integration and Mental Health During The Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 89%

Social Estrangement and Psychological Distress before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patterns of Change in Canadian Workers

Bierman

Schieman

2020

J Health Soc Behav

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This article argues that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures intended to slow the rate of transmission of the virus resulted in greater subjective isolation and community distrust, in turn adversely impacting psychological distress. To support this argument, we examine data from the Canadian Quality of Work and Economic Life Study, two national surveys of Canadian workers—one from late September 2019 (N = 2,477) and the second from mid-March 2020 (N = 2,446). Analyses show that subjective isolation and community distrust increased between the two surveys, which led to a substantial rise in psychological distress. Increases in subjective isolation were stronger in older respondents, resulting in a greater escalation in psychological distress. These findings support a Durkheimian perspective on the harm to social integration and mental health caused by periods of rapid social change but also illustrate how a life course context can differentiate individual vulnerability to disintegrative social forces.

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Section: Social Integration and Mental Health During The Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 89%

Social Estrangement and Psychological Distress before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patterns of Change in Canadian Workers

Bierman

Schieman

2020

J Health Soc Behav

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“…However, findings at the individual level partly deviate from culture-level findings-and even when individual and cultural levels are examined jointly (Jylhä & Jokela, 1990;Swader, 2019). Indeed, multiple studies suggest that more restrictive internalized or individually perceived norms may have the potential to protect from loneliness: Indicators of higher collectivism and higher relational stability (i.e., stronger cultural norms to hold on to established social relationships; were found to be related to lower loneliness at the individual level Jylhä & Jokela, 1990;Triandis et al, 1988).…”

Section: Toward a Cultural Psychology Of Lonelinessmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Most work on potential causes of loneliness has focused on individual and relational risk factors. These include, among others, being unmarried (Hansen & Slagsvold, 2015;Hawkley et al, 2008), living alone (Snell, 2017;Swader, 2019), genetic disposition (Matthews et al, 2016), introversion or neuroticism (Buecker et al, 2020), an insecure attachment style (Erozkan, 2011;Givertz et al, 2013), a small number or low quality of relationships (Hawkley et al, 2008;Shiovitz-Ezra & Leitsch, 2010), or few social interactions (e.g., De Jong Gierveld, 2009;von Soest et al, 2018). Although there is consensus that one can feel lonely whether one is alone or surrounded by others, most of these characteristics revolve around the extent to which individuals are or may become socially isolated.…”

Section: Causes and Consequences Of Lonelinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, at the individual level, there is abundant evidence that physical isolation can increase loneliness, and even some direct support for the notion that higher restrictiveness relates to loneliness through higher physical isolation. For one, living alone, having less interactions with family or friends, being unmarried, and having weaker community bonds were all related to higher loneliness at the individual level (e.g., Jylhä & Jokela, 1990;Lykes & Kemmelmeier, 2014;Sundström et al, 2009;Swader, 2019), despite partly being associated with lower loneliness at the cultural level (e.g., in different European regions; Jylhä & Jokela, 1990). Furthermore, in different European countries, individual-level individualism (i.e., an indicator of lower restrictiveness) was related to a lower frequency of contact with close others (i.e., higher physical isolation), and this was, in turn, associated with higher loneliness .…”

Section: Physical Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One exception suggests that collectivists (i.e., individuals who hold more restrictive norms) may need more social connection than individualists to avoid feeling lonely: Across different European countries, individual-level collectivism increased the positive association between social isolation and loneliness (Swader, 2019). This indicates that collectivists may be more sensitive to social isolation, and hence at a higher risk of perceived isolation and loneliness.…”

Section: Perceived and Emotional Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Does Loneliness Thrive in Relational Freedom or Restriction? The Culture-Loneliness Framework

Heu

Zomeren

Hansen

2020

Review of General Psychology

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Loneliness is a common experience with major negative consequences for well-being. Although much research has examined protective and risk factors for loneliness, we know little about its cultural underpinnings. The few studies that exist seem paradoxical, suggesting that loneliness is higher in cultures where tighter and more demanding (i.e., more restrictive) cultural norms about social relationships decrease the risk of social isolation. At the same time, loneliness is lower among individuals who hold more restrictive norms or perceive such norms among others around them. We move beyond previous research by generating the culture-loneliness framework, suggesting that loneliness occurs across all levels of restrictiveness, but through different predominant types of isolation. More restrictive (i.e., more, tighter, or more demanding) norms about social relationships may better protect from physical isolation (i.e., a lack of social interaction or relationships) but increase the likelihood of emotional and perceived isolation (i.e., a lack of individually satisfying relationships or relationships that do not fulfill cultural ideals). We evaluate this framework by reviewing research at both the individual and the cultural levels, and discuss its theoretical and practical implications.

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Social Isolation in the Elderly, Global Presence, Consequences, and Possible Solutions

Preston

Halpin

2020

The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Critical Perspectives on Mental Health

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Social isolation is a growing problem for the elderly. Social isolation can be either subjective or objective. Objective isolation is defined by the social connections a person has, consisting of regular interactions with friends, family members, colleagues, or acquaintances. Subjective isolation is the experience of isolation, including feelings of loneliness and can manifest regardless of quantity of social connections. After defining isolation, this chapter reviews the causes and consequences of social isolation, including physical and mental illness, suicide, and substance use. The chapter also details how technology might alleviate isolation. We provide a review of the prevalence of social isolation in elderly populations in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Africa. The chapter concludes by reviewing potential solutions for isolation (i.e., social prescribing and community engagement, youth mentorship, social media, nonhuman companionship, and resiliency).

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Loneliness in Europe: Personal and Societal Individualism-Collectivism and Their Connection to Social Isolation

Cited by 60 publications

References 51 publications

Social Estrangement and Psychological Distress before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patterns of Change in Canadian Workers

Social Estrangement and Psychological Distress before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patterns of Change in Canadian Workers

Does Loneliness Thrive in Relational Freedom or Restriction? The Culture-Loneliness Framework

Social Isolation in the Elderly, Global Presence, Consequences, and Possible Solutions

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