Loneliness and disability: A systematic review of loneliness conceptualization and intervention strategies

Introduction. People with disabilities experience loneliness to a greater extent than people without disabilities. To better understand this problem, we have conducted a systematic review of studies that involved disability and loneliness. The aims are to research what loneliness is and to conceptua...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gómez-Zúñiga, Beni, Pousada, Modesta, Armayones, Manuel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
Repositorio:O2, repositorio institucional de la UOC
OAI Identifier:oai:openaccess.uoc.edu:10609/150542
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10609/150542
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1040651
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:intervention strategies
accessibility
disability
loneliness
systematic review
personal autonomy
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction. People with disabilities experience loneliness to a greater extent than people without disabilities. To better understand this problem, we have conducted a systematic review of studies that involved disability and loneliness. The aims are to research what loneliness is and to conceptualize and define it in the context of disability, and the intervention strategies that have been developed. Methods. The research protocol is based on the PRISMA guidelines. Two hundred and eighty-one papers were screened and 75 reports were assessed for eligibility. Results. We have not found whether loneliness in disability is a single construct or a collection of various subtypes. We have found that there are protective factors against loneliness in disabled people, such as having a job or living in an environment without physical barriers. Discussion. In terms of the interventions for people with disabilities, the same strategies have been adopted as for the non-disabled: social skills training, enhanced social support, opportunities for interactions, and cognitive training.