by Silke Vereeken
Loneliness is a significant public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Governments and researchers alike are increasingly focusing on strategies to address it, especially for those with severe mental illness (SMI) or multiple health conditions (multimorbidity). Our recent research, conducted using UK Biobank data, sheds light on how different factors—such as social support, leisure activities, and proximity to natural spaces—affect loneliness in these specific groups of people.
Understanding the Challenge
People with SMI or multimorbidity are disproportionately affected by loneliness. While we often hear that social interactions and access to green spaces can help combat loneliness, our findings reveal that the impact of these factors isn’t uniform across all individuals. In fact, the way people experience loneliness depends on a complex interplay between their health conditions and their environment.
What We Found
Our study analysed data from over 166,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, including specific subgroups of people with SMI, multimorbidity, or both. Key findings include:
- Social support and connections are crucial: Across all groups, having close relationships and someone to confide in were strongly associated with lower loneliness levels.
- Leisure activities matter—but differently for different people: People with multimorbidity seem to benefit from engaging in group activities, sports, or visiting social venues like pubs, while those with SMI seem to find adult education classes the most beneficial in reducing loneliness.
- Natural spaces have a nuanced impact: Proximity to green spaces (parks and forests) seems to help reduce loneliness in people with multimorbidity, but not necessarily for those with an SMI diagnosis. Interestingly, blue spaces (like lakes or rivers) don’t seem to affect loneliness experience in any group. This suggests that simply living near nature might not be enough—it’s how you interact with these spaces that truly matters.
What This Means for Future Support
These findings highlight the need for more tailored interventions. Social prescribing initiatives—where healthcare professionals connect individuals with community-based activities—could be designed to match the specific needs of different populations. For example, people with multimorbidity may benefit from organized group activities in nature, while those with SMI might need structured educational programs that foster social connection. Moreover, urban planning and public health policies should consider accessibility to green spaces, ensuring that they are safe, inviting, and inclusive for all. Encouraging not just proximity but also engagement with natural environments could be a key strategy in combating loneliness.
The Bigger Picture
Addressing loneliness is not just about increasing social opportunities—it’s about creating environments, both social and physical, that foster meaningful connections. By understanding how different factors influence loneliness in distinct populations, we can develop more effective, personalized solutions that improve mental wellbeing for all.
