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The purpose of this study was to understand the loneliness felt by refugees who are living in Cyprus and Ireland, countries that are foreign to them. This was primarily viewed through the eyes of employees that dedicate their careers to helping them. The research was conducted using qualitative methods. two employees from Cyprus and Ireland were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used in order to identify different themes within the findings. The data was manually analysed in order to bring these themes to light. The refugee theory developed by Kunz was chosen in order to understand the topic on a deeper level. The findings showed multiple examples of how these employees understood the loneliness that refugees feel. It was also revealed that they do believe that loneliness is a prevailing factor amongst all types of refugees.

As the use of social networking sites (SNSs) has become more wide-spread, some age groups have taken to the media much more readily than other groups. Older adults are lagging behind in their adoption of SNSs, while this group of the population tends to be more socially isolated and lonely. In this thesis, the uses of SNSs have been broken down into different components such as the intimacy level of the message content, types of contacts, etc. A framework for social capital is utilized, in order to bridge the knowledge gap between how older adults use social networking sites to gauge its impact on loneliness. The findings suggest that the use of SNSs increases social capital but does not directly reduce loneliness. The impact of the increase of social capital by using SNSs on loneliness is negligible. However, increased social capital due to SNSs use tends to moderate the effects that health status, financial wellbeing and satisfaction with offline relationships have on loneliness. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Yes / Most studies investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) for healthcare and educational purposes, but little is known on the effectiveness of VR in social interaction. Our aim was to examine whether VR would be similar to in-person interaction in reducing loneliness. A total of 73 participants participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to in-person or VR condition and interacted for 15 minutes about a tourist landmark. Participants completed a set of questions that measured belonging – acceptance and exclusion, positive and negative affect, wellbeing, trust, and mood before and after the interaction. Results showed that in both conditions, loneliness was significantly lower, with higher wellbeing, higher positive and lower negative affect, feeling happier and had more fun post task. Trust was higher in the VR condition post task but not for in-person. Our regression analyses showed that having higher wellbeing was a significant predictor in reducing loneliness for in-person condition and that being older and higher belonging – acceptance were significant predictors on feeling lonelier for the VR condition. In sum, our results demonstrated some success in reducing loneliness in VR but may not be sufficient to develop lasting friendship. / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 07 Nov 2024.

My thesis explores the profound impact of contemporary residential architecture on social interaction and a sense of belonging among dwellers. Based on personal experiences in the United States, a critical examination reveals a prevailing trend towards isolation within modern living spaces, fostering disconnection and loneliness. As an architect, I have tried to investigate the spatial and architectural barriers that hinder social cohesion, emphasizing the vital role of "pauses" in facilitating human interaction and community engagement within built environments. Drawing inspiration from historical precedents and vibrant urban settings like the North End in Boston and plazas in Paris, this study advocates for a transformative approach to residential design. By integrating elements reminiscent of lively streets into vertical housing projects, the aim is to create opportunities for spontaneous human interactions. The research delves into specific examples, such as the Foxridge apartments in Blacksburg, to identify and address architectural deficiencies that inhibit verbal and non-verbal communication. Through innovative design interventions and strategic placement of communal spaces, my thesis proposes a paradigm shift towards architecture that fosters community bonds and enriches daily life experiences. It underscores the inherent potential of architecture to bridge societal divides and counterbalance the pervasive trend towards digital engagement, promoting holistic well-being through meaningful human connections. Ultimately, my thesis advocates for a human-centric architectural ethos, envisioning spaces that not only accommodate but actively cultivate a sense of belonging and social connectivity. / Master of Architecture / As Frank Lloyd Wright has told, "We create our buildings and then they create us. Likewise we construct our circle of friends and our communities and then they construct us." Humans are social beings and we have an inert need for social connections and interactions with other humans and nature. We crave the warmth of human connection, the solace of shared laughter, and the embrace of understanding souls. Lack of social interactions and sense of belonging can lead to social isolation and loneliness, and can have really detrimental effects on one's physical and mental health and also on a society as a whole. As Patricia Churchland has told "We long to belong, and belonging and caring anchors our sense of place in the universe." Architecture of the community has the potential or obligation to create a sense of community and belonging by providing opportunities for human interactions, celebrating gathering spaces and visual communication within the community. In the midst of the urban sprawl, the need for community is palpable, like a silent cry echoing through the concrete jungle. With the more vertical the residential units get the social interactions are almost completely lost as it is only double loaded corridors with houses on either sides with uncomfortable, awkward to almost zero human interactions. Even in vertical living we need to keep in mind that those beautiful views from the 12th floor have no value if you are still feeling socially isolated. My thesis focuses on tackling loneliness through the Built Environment and understanding what are the architecture barriers of social interaction. Through my thesis I have explored different strategies developed through my research to foster the sense of community and belonging. I am exploring these ideas in the context of Washington D.C. which is claimed to be one of the loneliest cities in the United States.

Yes / This paper recounts the process of undertaking a randomised controlled trial which was designed to examine the effectiveness of an intervention for socially isolated older people aged 75 years and over. It describes the reasons for early cessation of the study and raises the implications of this outcome for policy, practice and research. The intervention under investigation was designed to alleviate loneliness and foster companionship. It involves participants being linked with a small group of others through a teleconferencing system with each group being facilitated by trained volunteers. There was a requirement to recruit and train a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 volunteers over 1 year to facilitate 20 friendship groups to meet the number of older people required to be recruited to the study. Problems with recruiting and retaining the volunteer workforce by the voluntary sector organisation, who were commissioned to do so, led to the study closing even though older people were recruited in sufficient numbers. The paper draws upon analysis of various data sources from the study to identify the potential reasons. The discussion raises considerations regarding the extent of infrastructure required to deliver community services to vulnerable user groups at scale, identifies some of the issues that need to be addressed if such volunteer-initiated services are to be successful and informs future research programmes in this area. / Public Health Research programme (PHR 09/3004/01). Commissioned by NIHR.

Yes / Loneliness in older people is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We undertook a parallel-group randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of telephone befriending for the maintenance of HRQoL in older people. An internal pilot tested the feasibility of the trial and intervention. Methods: Participants aged >74 years, with good cognitive function, living independently in one UK city were recruited through general practices and other sources, then randomised to: (1) 6 weeks of short one-to-one telephone calls, followed by 12 weeks of group telephone calls with up to six participants, led by a trained volunteer facilitator; or (2) a control group. The main trial required the recruitment of 248 participants in a 1-year accrual window, of whom 124 were to receive telephone befriending. The pilot specified three success criteria which had to be met in order to progress the main trial to completion: recruitment of 68 participants in 95 days; retention of 80% participants at 6 months; successful delivery of telephone befriending by local franchise of national charity. The primary clinical outcome was the Short Form (36) Health Instrument (SF-36) Mental Health (MH) dimension score collected by telephone 6 months following randomisation. Results: We informed 9,579 older people about the study. Seventy consenting participants were randomised to the pilot in 95 days, with 56 (80%) providing valid primary outcome data (26 intervention, 30 control). Twenty-four participants randomly allocated to the research arm actually received telephone befriending due to poor recruitment and retention of volunteer facilitators. The trial was closed early as a result. The mean 6-month SF-36 MH scores were 78 (SD 18) and 71 (SD 21) for the intervention and control groups, respectively (mean difference, 7; 95% CI, −3 to 16). Conclusions: Recruitment and retention of participants to a definitive trial with a recruitment window of 1 year is feasible. For the voluntary sector to recruit sufficient volunteers to match demand for telephone befriending created by trial recruitment would require the study to be run in more than one major population centre, and/or involve dedicated management of volunteers. Trial registration: ISRCTN28645428.

This study was an investigation of loneliness among widowed elders using a model conceptually based on symbolic interaction theory. Symbolic interaction theorists contend that people are active, self-directing, and creative individuals who adjust to dramatic situational changes such as widowhood by defining the transition according to its symbolic meaning and their current perspective of the event. The loneliness model suggested that certain background characteristics, personality resources (morale and mastery), and perceived levels of social support would influence the sample’s perspective and definition of the social reality of widowhood, and thereby, serve to facilitate or impede the development of feelings of loneliness. In contrast to most studies of loneliness among widowed elders, this study included males (n=38) as well as females (n=135) and both short-term (6-24 months) and long-term (25-60 months) widowed persons. Participants were healthy, educated, unmarried community residents aged 69 to 91 years. In general, the sample was well adjusted with high levels of social support, morale and mastery, and low levels of loneliness. Data analyses included bivariate correlations, tests, and multiple regression. The regression analysis revealed that morale and the social provision of emotional attachment and morale were the strongest predictors of loneliness in the regression model (R²=.39). The results of the study partially supported the proposed model of loneliness. The findings also served to further substantiate Weiss's theory of relational provisions and the importance of various social provisions, especially attachment, in countering feelings of loneliness during widowhood in later life. / Ph. D.

Bakgrund Psykisk ohälsa är ett paraplybegrepp och kan innebära ett lidande för individen. Tidigare forskning har visat att stigmatisering av personer med psykisk ohälsa är vanligt förekommande och kan ha negativa konsekvenser. Ensamhet kan ha allvarliga konsekvenser för hälsan, inklusive ökad risk för depression, ångest och suicidtankar. Specialistsjuksköterskor inom psykiatrisk omvårdnad har ett viktigt ansvar att stödja personer med psykisk ohälsa genom att vara lyhörda för patienternas upplevelser av ensamhet. Syfte Syftet var att beskriva hur patienter med psykisk ohälsa upplever ensamhet. Metod Metoden som antogs var en litteraturöversikt med systematisk ansats. Sökningarna genomfördes i databaserna Cinahl Complete, PubMed och PsycInfo. Resultatet inkluderade 15 kvalitativa vetenskapliga originalartiklar från nio länder, och för dataanalysen tillämpades Thomas och Hardens tematiska analysmetod. Resultat Fyra analytiska teman och åtta deskriptiva teman identifierades. Ensamhet kunde upplevas både som en hanteringsstrategi och som en positiv upplevelse. Det framkom även att upplevelsen av ensamhet kunde fördjupas under perioder av försämrad psykisk ohälsa, ensamhet kunde även ta sig uttryck som både fysisk och psykisk smärta. Ensamhet var även associerat med känslor av utanförskap och brist på tillhörighet. Psykisk ohälsa förstärkte ofta upplevelsen av ensamhet, vilket resulterade i negativa tankar och känslor. Slutsats Ensamhet kan vara en hanteringsstrategi och en positiv kraft för välbefinnandet, men kan också leda till social isolering och känslomässig frånvaro. För personer med psykisk ohälsa påverkar ensamheten dagliga funktioner, beteenden och välbefinnande. Att beakta och stödja individuella behov är av stor betydelse, där specialistsjuksköterskan har en central roll. / Background Mental illness is an umbrella term that can entail suffering for the individual. Previous research has shown that the stigma surrounding mental illness is widespread and can have negative consequences. Loneliness can have serious health implications, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Psychiatric nurse specialists have a crucial responsibility to support individuals with mental illness by being sensitive to their experiences of loneliness. Aim The purpose was to describe how patients with mental illness experience loneliness. Methods The method adopted was a literature review with a systematic approach. Searches were conducted in the databases Cinahl Complete, PubMed, and PsychInfo. The result included 15 qualitative original scientific articles from nine countries, and for data analysis, Thomas and Harden’s thematic analysis method was applied. Results Four analytical themes and eight descriptive themes were identified. Loneliness could be experienced both as a coping strategy and as a positive experience. It also emerged that the experience of loneliness could deepen during periods of deteriorating mental health, and loneliness could manifest as both physical and emotional pain. Loneliness was also associated with feelings of social exclusion and a lack of belonging. Mental illness often exacerbated the experience of loneliness, resulting in negative thoughts and emotions. Conclusions Loneliness can serve as both a coping mechanism and a positive aspect for well-being and recovery. It can manifest as social isolation or a sense of disconnection from close relationships and the world, impacting daily functioning, behavior, and mental well-being. Addressing loneliness is crucial for person-centered care, where specialist nurses play a vital role.

Meaningful social connections are an important part of our lives, especially as we age, and are associated with life satisfaction and psychological well-being. At the same time making friends and creating connections is known to be challenging in older age. In this thesis, we focus on studying how technology can help to collect information about older adults that can be useful for facilitating friendship formation and social interactions among users. We start by describing early work that shows the opportunities of technology in improving well-being of older adults. The conducted studies and review work highlights the potential of social interactions in motivating older adults for technology use and exercising. We then study factors affecting people's social connectedness and friendships. The study highlights that common life points are related to higher levels of connectedness and frequency of interactions. We then move the focus on studying friendship formation in later life, and specifically on how technology can help to facilitate friendship formation. From observations in the nursing homes we see that reminiscence is often used to collect information about a person’s history and values, we look at this practice as a way to identify information potentially useful to recommend friendships, especially in nursing homes context. We conduct Interviews and observations with nursing homes stakeholders and gerontology doctors to define requirements and opportunities of reminiscence conversational agent suitable to their current practices. We then conduct a study to explore how the concept of the bot and features are perceived by elderly, NH staff and doctors. Finally, we present the work carried out to define and validate the concept of a reminiscence-based conversational agent aimed at: i) conducting storytelling conversations that are engaging and natural and ii) being effective in collecting information about the user (e.g values, interests, places) that later can be used for recommending potential friends.