AI Article Synopsis
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness have surged globally since the COVID-19 lockdowns began in March 2020, raising mental health concerns.
- During a study of 71 participants in the UK's first lockdown, thematic analysis revealed key aspects of "aloneness" and identified both risk and protective factors influencing loneliness.
- The findings suggest that understanding these facets can inform social and policy interventions, with solitude being highlighted as a possible way to mitigate feelings of loneliness, especially existential loneliness.
Article Abstract
Feelings of isolation have been prevalent worldwide since March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. This has prompted increased concerns about loneliness and related mental health problems. During the first UK COVID-19 lockdown, 71 participants were asked to share their high and low point stories from lockdown. These were analyzed using thematic analysis to explore how "aloneness" was experienced at this time. A deductive analyses supported three key facets of aloneness reported in the literature: , , and , as well as a more positive form of aloneness, . An inductive analysis identified risk and protective factors for loneliness, comprising , , and ; and , , and . The study highlights the importance of understanding how facets of aloneness interrelate, and how understanding risk and protective factors can help us to develop social and policy interventions to alleviate loneliness. In particular, solitude is proposed as a potential mechanism for alleviating loneliness, particularly existential loneliness, alongside more common social methods.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9349526 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/asap.12317 | DOI Listing |
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