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Single-person households have become a popular trend that has grown dramatically since the 1960s. And loneliness is an unpleasant experience that can bring a negative impact on the physical and mental health of human beings. This study focused on designing an interactive solution in order to reduce loneliness for lonely solitary living people. The study used the qualitative research method and identified a design opportunity to reduce loneliness for lonely people living alone - promoting offline social meetings. The study designed a solution— Matching Pal to engage people in offline social meetings by adding gamification factors, providing two ways of playing, and other useful factors. As a result, the solution showed a positive result in attracting and encouraging people to meet new friends. This shows that gamification can have a positive influence on encouraging users´ behavior in the context of promoting offline social meetings. Also, it provides a design idea that designing multiple ways of interaction based on the traits of different types of users in the solution could help more users achieve the goal.

Global Health MSc Thesis / The construct of loneliness is well explored within the arts and humanities, but has only recently been considered to be a condition that should be addressed by public health policy. Definitions explored include common sense, existential loneliness, and the cognitive approach. The governments of Japan and the UK have implemented policy that specifically addresses loneliness as a result of its recent identification as a health concern linked to dementia, heart disease, hypertension, and greater risk of morbidity. This thesis undertook an integrative literature review across the arts, humanities, sciences, and grey literature to provide a comprehensive picture of a modern conceptualization of loneliness. The results of this thesis find that loneliness is both a health risk and social problem that is being addressed at the municipal and federal levels in Japan and the UK. However, the question remains as to whether loneliness should be considered a public health concern or a social concern. More international collaboration on the impact of loneliness on populations is recommended. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc) / The construct of loneliness is well explored within the arts and humanities, but has only recently been considered to be a condition that should be addressed by public health policy. The governments of Japan and the UK have implemented policy that specifically addresses loneliness as a result of its recent identification as a health concern linked with dementia, heart disease, hypertension, and greater risk of morbidity. This thesis undertook an integrative literature review across the arts, humanities, sciences, and grey literature to provide an expansive picture of a modern conceptualization of loneliness. The results of this thesis find that loneliness is both a health risk and social problem which can be appropriately addressed by government action. However, the question remains as to whether loneliness should be considered a public health concern or a social concern. More international collaboration on the impact of loneliness on populations is recommended.

The study explored the perceptions of social workers on loneliness among elderly people in residential care facilities in Gävle and Stockholm, Sweden, during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  An exploratory qualitative study method was used. Four social workers working with elderly people in residential care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic participated in the study. Data were gathered for the study using an interview guide, and thematic analysis was used to analyze them. The study’s results were captured in two main themes which reflect the study’s research questions: social workers' perception of loneliness, and elderly people’s experiences of loneliness. According to social workers, the study concluded that loneliness is a multifaceted, subjective feeling that can trigger many coping methods and severely impact older people's health. In order to combat loneliness among older persons as a public health issue, social workers believe that a stronger involvement of the entire society is required.

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Ensamhet är ett stort och komplext samhällsproblem som upplevs i alla åldrar. Trots detta är ämnet tabubelagt och någonting som många inte pratar om. Upplevelsen av ensamhet kan infinna sig både i bristen på fysisk närvaro av andra och i närvaron av andra. Att känna sig ensam i sociala sammanhang kan vara en smärtsam upplevelse och ett av de mest förekommande sociala sammanhangen är med vänner. Därför är synen på vänskap relevant att lyfta i diskussionen om ofrivillig ensamhet. Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie är att utforska individers upplevelser av ofrivillig ensamhet i vänskapssammanhang. Den inriktar sig på att beskriva olika typer av ensamhet, orsaker till ensamhet, syn på vänskap samt åtgärder mot ensamhet. Studien använder sig av socialpsykologiska teorier om ensamhet, sammanhang och självbild för att tolka respondenternas upplevelser. 10 semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes i Skaraborg med vuxna i åldern 39-59 år om deras upplevelser av ensamhet. Resultatet visar att ensamhet kan upplevas på olika sätt där ensamhet bland andra är den mest upplevda typen av ensamhet. Studien identifierade även att ensamhet orsakas av utanförskap sedan barndomen och att ett stort socialt nätverk var önskvärt för att fylla behoven om socialt umgänge. Den främsta efterfrågade åtgärden mot ensamhet var samhällsinsatser. / Loneliness is a wide and complex societal problem experienced in all ages. Despite this, the subject is taboo and something that many people do not talk about. The experience of loneliness can appear both in the lack of physical presence of others and in the presence of others. Feeling alone in social contexts can be a painful experience and one of the most common social contexts is with friends. Therefore, the view of friendship is relevant in the discussion of involuntary loneliness. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore individuals' experiences of involuntary loneliness in the context of friendship and focuses on describing different types of loneliness, causes of loneliness, views on friendships and measures of loneliness. The study uses social psychological theories about loneliness, context and self-image to interpret the experiences of the respondents. 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted in Skaraborg with adults aged 39-59 years old about their experiences of loneliness. The result showed that loneliness can be experienced in different ways, where loneliness among others is the most experienced type of loneliness. The study also identified that loneliness is caused by exclusion since childhood and that a large social network was desirable to fulfill the need of social interaction. The main requested measure against loneliness was community interventions.

Bakgrund: Känslan av ensamhet uppstår när det finns en önskan att ha fler sociala relationer. Förlusten av partner, funktionsnedsättning och psykisk ohälsa är riskfaktorer för ensamhet. Äldre personer kan få insatser av kommunen för att få möjligheter att bo kvar hemma. Ålderdomens naturliga förändringar medför en ökad risk för sjukdomar. Ensamheten påverkar hälsan negativt. Stark KASAM ger möjlighet för återhämtning efter hälsoproblem. Att ge god och personcentrerad omvårdnad ingår i sjuksköterskans roll. Ensamhet kan innebära lidande. Vårdpersonal har inte tillräckligt med tid och saknar medvenhet om ensamhetens konsekvenser. Syfte: Att beskriva upplevelser av ensamhet hos äldre personer inskrivna i hemsjukvården. Metod: En litteraturbaserad studie baserad på tio vetenskapliga kvalitativa artiklar med äldre personers perspektiv. Resultat: Ur analysen identifierades två kategorier: Att känna sig sårbar, Lättnad av att se möjliga lösningar med sju underkategorier. Konklusion: Studien ger en ökad förståelse av äldre personers upplevelser av ensamhet. Sjuksköterskan behöver ställa konkreta frågor om ensamhet och anpassa vården efter den äldre personens behov för att kunna lindra lidandet och förebygga ensamhetens komplikationer. / Background: Loneliness arises when there is a desire for more social relationships. Loss of a partner, disability, and mental health issues are risk factors for loneliness. Older individuals can receive support from the municipality to remain living at home. The natural changes of aging increase the risk of illness. Loneliness impacts health negatively. A strong sense of coherence allows for recovery after health problems. Providing good and person-centered care is part of the nurse’s role. Loneliness can lead to suffering. Healthcare professionals often lack sufficient time and awareness of the consequences of loneliness. Aim: To describe experiences of loneliness in elderly people who are enrolled in home health care. Method: Literature based study used on ten qualitative articles. Findings: From the analysis two categories were identified; Feeling vulnerable and exposed and Relief from seeing possible solutions, with seven subcategories. Conclusion: The study provides an increased understanding of older individuals’ experiences of loneliness. Nurses need to ask specific questions about loneliness and tailor care to the needs of the older person in order to alleviate suffering and prevent complications related to loneliness.

Loneliness in caregivers of Alzheimer's family members was examined through the use of an explanatory model. Stepwise multiple regression was used to test the association between characterological variables (introversion and control), situational variables (social support), demographics (income), and self-reported loneliness in a statewide mail survey of 190 caregivers. Results indicated that introversion, control, social support, and income account for almost two-thirds of the variance in loneliness. An interesting finding was that higher income was associated with higher levels of loneliness in the caregivers. Implications for practice are discussed and recommendations for future research are suggested. / Ph. D.