Prevalence and correlates of loneliness in India: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction:Loneliness is a critical psychosocial problem that affects mental health and wellbeing of the individuals and communities. This systematic review synthesized the current evidence on the prevalence and correlates of loneliness from empirical studies conducted in India. Methods:Adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, eight major databases and additional sources were searched. Studies were evaluated using following criteria: peer-reviewed journal articles, published in English language, presenting any quantitative form of evidence on loneliness, and studies conducted in India among the Indian population. A meta-analysis of the prevalence studies and narrative synthesis of the overall status and factors associated with loneliness were conducted.Results: Among 1290 studies, only 13 met our criteria. All the studies reported a high burden of loneliness among the participants. The pooled prevalence among 3169 participants was 41% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18% -63%). The burden of loneliness was higher among the elderly participants (44%, 95% CI 5% -83%) compared to younger participants (24%, 95% CI 22% -27%). Factors associated with loneliness included aging, family structure, marital status, religious practices, group membership, educational attainment, source and level of income, psychological attributes, and comorbid physical and mental health conditions among the affected individuals. Conclusion:This review identified and evaluated the status and severity of loneliness and its correlates, which may inform future studies examining complex psychopathological and social dynamics associated with loneliness. Lastly, the current evidence necessitates the development of multipronged interventions to address the risk factors and alleviate the burden of loneliness in India.

Prevalence and determinants of social isolation among elderly in an urban slum of Raipur city—A community based cross‐sectional study

“…In a survey conducted in 7 states of India, 9 increasing age, greater number of ADL requiring assistance, poor self‐reported health status and Alzheimer's disease (chronic condition) were identified as factors associated with social isolation. In a systematic review reporting on loneliness in India, 18 aging, educational attainment, source and level of income, family structure, marital status, religious practices, psychological attributes, comorbid conditions and group membership were identified as factors associated with loneliness. Similarly, it was found in a 3 year longitudinal survey that among older people participating in a hobby or sports or social activity group, future social isolation was significantly reduced 32 .…”

“…A meta‐analysis reported prevalence of loneliness among older people to be 44% in India 18 ; and prevalence of social isolation in Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI) survey was 19.7% (95% CI 19%–21%) 9 . Taking the prevalence to be 44% (to obtain higher sample size) and applying 5% absolute error, the minimum required sample size was rounded to be 400 with 95% confidence (CI).…”

A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil

“…Loneliness can be defined as the negative subjective feeling that results from a discrepancy between desired and actual social connections 2,3 . Estimates have shown that over 20% of older adults in the United States 4 , Eastern Europe 5 , India 6 , and six Latin American countries 7 reported feeling lonely. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19), predictions that stay-at-home recommendations and social restrictions would negatively affect a broad set of mental health indicators were expected, including a rise in loneliness 8,9,10 .…”

“…Se incluyeron 5.108 participantes. La prevalencia global de la soledad en el periodo prepandémico fue del 33,1% (IC95%: 29,8), superior a la del periodo pandémico (ronda 1: 23,6%, IC95% : 20,6-26,9; ronda 2: 20,5%, IC95% : 17,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]5,ronda 3: 20,6;IC95%: 17,6). Sólo se evidenció una interacción significativa (p ≤ 0,05) entre la depresión y el tiempo; los participantes con depresión mostraron una mayor reducción de los niveles de soledad.…”