Factors associated with loneliness in adults in England
A DCMS-commissioned research report on factors associated with loneliness in adults in England
Applies to England
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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) commissioned NatCen to explore factors associated with loneliness in adults in England using survey data from the Community Life Survey 2013/14 - 2019/20 and Understanding Society Waves 9 and 10. The research examined the following questions:
- What types of people are particularly vulnerable to experiencing loneliness?
- Have the risk factors for loneliness changed over time?
- How does loneliness relate to mental wellbeing, and is there evidence of a two-way relationship between mental health and loneliness?
- What short-term factors predict the alleviation of loneliness?
The study used regression models to explore potential factors associated with loneliness and how these change over time. This study identifies which groups are at higher risk of experiencing chronic loneliness, and predicts what alleviates loneliness. Insights from this study fill some of the evidence gaps highlighted in the tackling loneliness evidence review.