Experiences of loneliness in lower- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Loneliness is understood as a subjective experience resulting from unmet social relationship expectations. As most loneliness research has been conducted in higher-income-countries, there is limited understanding of loneliness in relation to diverse cultural, economic, and socio-political factors. To address this gap, the present review systematically synthesises existing qualitative studies on the experience of loneliness and social relationship expectations in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Love Culturally: How Does Culture Affect Intimacy, Commitment & Love.

This paper, relying on a thematic review of the literature, aimed to explore the influence of culture on human relations, particularly on love. We highlighted the innate need of humans to belong and be part of a community and, moreover, partake in an intimate relationship. Most humans yearn for intimacy, and thus it was defined and described.

The Consequences of Child Abuse.

This review provides an overview of the consequences of early adverse experiences across various domains of life. Drawing on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) conceptual framework, we discuss the ACE pyramid and the varying degrees of consequences that ACE exposure may elicit. Using online search engines such as Google Scholar, the authors sifted through empirical research to locate relevant articles and research to help prepare this review.

Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences.

This is a narrative review addressing the topic of romantic infidelity, its causes and its consequences. Love is commonly a source of much pleasure and fulfillment. However, as this review points out, it can also cause stress, heartache and may even be traumatic in some circumstances.

Loneliness in Intimate Relationships Scale (LIRS): Development and Validation.

Intimate relationships have been shown to be loneliness positively related to self-esteem. Happiness and well-being and have also been regarded as a buffer against loneliness. Nevertheless, substantive research indicates that intimate relationships and marriage can produce or result in loneliness and thus seriously affect the person's physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Different loneliness types, cognitive function, and brain structure in midlife: Findings from the Framingham Heart Study.

Background: It remains unclear whether persistent loneliness is related to brain structures that are associated with cognitive decline and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the relationships between different loneliness types, cognitive functioning, and regional brain volumes.

Methods: Loneliness was measured longitudinally, using the item from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in the Framingham Heart Study, Generation 3, with participants' average age of 46·3 ± 8·6 years.

Loneliness of the Blind and the Visually Impaired.

Loneliness has been termed a social epidemic, especially when experienced by people with disabilities. In order to better understand how loneliness is experienced in vulnerable populations, the present study compared the qualitative dimensions of loneliness of the blind and visually impaired with the general population not on the frequency or intensity of their loneliness, but on its aspects. One hundred and eighty-seven participants responded to a questionnaire which measured the qualitative aspects of loneliness on five subscales: Emotional distress, social inadequacy, Growth and discovery, social isolation, and emotional alienation.

The COVID-19 era: How therapists can diminish burnout symptoms through self-care.

COVID-19 is a frightening, stress-inducing, and unchartered territory for all. It is suggested that stress, loneliness, and the emotional toll of the pandemic will result in increased numbers of those who will seek psychological intervention, need support, and guidance on how to cope with a time period that none of us were prepared for. Psychologists, in general, are trained in and know how to help others.

The Lonely, Isolating, and Alienating Implications of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

This article provides a narrative review on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) through a psychosocial lens and examines how this impairment affects its sufferers during adolescence and adulthood, as well as how it impacts family caregivers and healthcare professionals' mental health. Since there has been a lack of investigation in the literature, the primary psychosocial stressor that this review focuses on is loneliness. As such, and in an attempt to help establish a theoretical framework regarding how loneliness may impact ME/CFS, loneliness is comprehensively reviewed, and its relation to chronic illness is described.

The Road to Becoming a Psychologist: Indicators of Success and Hardship during the University Years.

In order to become a full-fledged psychologist, one must undertake a long, demanding, and quite difficult journey in academia. The academic journey holds a promise of delivering knowledge, interesting theories, and strategies on helping those who need psychological assessment and/or treatment. However, the constant expectation of keeping up with the material, of succeeding in tests and exams, and of preparing to proceed to the next educational level can be daunting and exhausting.

Senseless Violence: An Overview.

In this epilogue I review some of the existing literature on senseless violence, highlighting the phenomenon, examining the factors that cause people to commit such horrific deeds, and the complex thoughts, feelings, and acts that precede such senseless violence. The article ends with some reflections on what we should do as a profession and as a society to help curb this life shattering violence.

Religiosity and coping with loneliness.

Loneliness is a universal experience which transcends age, sex, geography, and culture. Religion, and often one's religiosity, are known to affect one's approach to life, behaviour, and social involvement. The present, preliminary study aimed to explore whether coping with loneliness is influenced by one's religious observance.

Cancer patients, their caregivers and coping with loneliness.

Four hundred and twenty-six participants volunteered to participate in this study. A total of 159 men and 281 women comprised the sample. The sample was composed of 99 cancer stricken patients, 97 caregivers, 124 participants from the general population, and 126 people who were related to them in a similar manner that caregivers were related to patients (i.

'Tails' - A fairy tale on furry tails: A 15-year theatre experience for hospitalized children created by health professionals.

Overview: The present article describes an innovative theatre production that has been running in The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, for the past 15 years. It is directed at, and created for, hospitalized children and their families. The effects of hospitalization on children and their families are reviewed, and the benefits of humour and support during the stressful time the children have to spend in the hospital is highlighted.

The dying, those who care for them, and how they cope with loneliness.

This study compares the manner in which the dying, their caregivers, and the general population cope with loneliness. The patients were recruited in an oncological hospice in Israel and, despite being on their deathbed, agreed to participate. Thirty-seven cancer-stricken patients, 78 caregivers, and 128 participants From the general population volunteered to take part.