Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences (COMPASS), The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Health Soc Care Community. 2022 May;30(3):1120-1132. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13351. Epub 2021 Mar 25.
There has been growing recognition of the harmful consequences of loneliness for health and well-being, and the need for community intervention, particularly in times of global crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic with its imperatives of distancing, isolation, and quarantine. Social capital and a sense of social cohesion are known to have roles in buffering against the effects of adverse life circumstances. Our study sought to investigate the association of a range of social attitudes and activities - as proxies for social capital - with loneliness while taking into account socio-demographic factors. We undertook a national survey on a stratified random sample of the New Zealand (NZ) adult population aged 18+ in 2017 (n = 1,358), data from which included the requisite variables. The prevalence of loneliness was highest in young adults (18-30), falling with age until a slight rise in older people (76+). Loneliness was associated with socio-demographic factors, being more prevalent in the more disadvantaged groups: the deprived, Māori (the indigenous people of NZ), the non-partnered, and the less educated. Controlling for these socio-demographic factors, pro-social attitudes (that is towards political efficacy, trust in others, not feeling exploited, or being committed to family) and participation in social activities (that is being employed or being involved in recreation groups) - were protective against loneliness. Our study supports asset-based approaches to tackling loneliness - with implications for health and social care - that emphasise mobilising existing social resources, building social capital, and raising social cohesion in our communities. Such intervention on loneliness would help to prevent and ameliorate its detrimental consequences for public health.
人们越来越认识到孤独对健康和幸福的有害影响，需要社区干预，特别是在全球危机时期，如新冠疫情期间，需要保持距离、隔离和检疫。社会资本和社会凝聚力意识被认为在缓冲不利生活环境的影响方面发挥作用。我们的研究旨在调查一系列社会态度和活动（作为社会资本的代表）与孤独感之间的关联，同时考虑到社会人口因素。我们在 2017 年对新西兰（NZ）18 岁以上成年人进行了一项全国性的分层随机抽样调查（n=1358），其中包括必要的变量。孤独感在年轻人（18-30 岁）中最高，随着年龄的增长而下降，直到老年人（76 岁以上）略有上升。孤独感与社会人口因素有关，在较弱势群体中更为普遍：贫困、毛利人（新西兰的土著人）、非伴侣和受教育程度较低的人。在控制这些社会人口因素后，亲社会态度（即对政治效能、对他人的信任、不感到被剥削或对家庭的承诺）和参与社会活动（即就业或参与娱乐团体）可以预防孤独感。我们的研究支持以资产为基础的方法来解决孤独感问题，这对健康和社会关怀具有重要意义，强调动员现有的社会资源，建立社会资本，提高社区的社会凝聚力。这种干预孤独感的措施将有助于预防和减轻其对公众健康的不利影响。
