Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review

Background: Social isolation is associated with increased all-cause and premature mortality, poor chronic disease management, and mental health concerns. Limited research exists on interventions addressing social isolation among individuals under 65 despite its increasing prevalence among young and...

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Main Authors: Kavya Anchuri, Liane Steiner, Roxana Rabet, Amy Craig-Neil, Ellah San Antonio, Oluwasegun Jko Ogundele, Melanie Seabrook, Ceinwen Pope, Serina Dai, Andree Schuler, Carolyn Ziegler, Andrew David Pinto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Royal College of General Practitioners 2024-12-01
Series:BJGP Open
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Online Access:https://bjgpopen.org/content/8/4/BJGPO.2023.0119
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author Kavya Anchuri
Liane Steiner
Roxana Rabet
Amy Craig-Neil
Ellah San Antonio
Oluwasegun Jko Ogundele
Melanie Seabrook
Ceinwen Pope
Serina Dai
Andree Schuler
Carolyn Ziegler
Andrew David Pinto
author_facet Kavya Anchuri
Liane Steiner
Roxana Rabet
Amy Craig-Neil
Ellah San Antonio
Oluwasegun Jko Ogundele
Melanie Seabrook
Ceinwen Pope
Serina Dai
Andree Schuler
Carolyn Ziegler
Andrew David Pinto
author_sort Kavya Anchuri
collection DOAJ
description Background: Social isolation is associated with increased all-cause and premature mortality, poor chronic disease management, and mental health concerns. Limited research exists on interventions addressing social isolation among individuals under 65 despite its increasing prevalence among young and middle-aged adults. Aim: To identify interventions from the extant literature that address social isolation and loneliness in ambulatory healthcare settings in adults aged 18–64 and to identify elements of successful studies for future intervention design. Design & setting: Systematic review of interventions targeting social isolation in community-dwelling adults aged 18–64 within ambulatory healthcare settings. Method: A search strategy was developed to identify relevant articles in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, EBM Reviews, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsychInfo. Data were extracted on study design and setting, intervention type, outcome related to social isolation/loneliness, and scale of measure used. Results: 25 078 citations were identified and underwent title and abstract screening. 75 articles met our inclusion criteria and were synthesised, including an assessment of bias. Effective interventions were delivered in community health settings, incorporated a group component, and used digital technologies. They also addressed the association between mental health and social isolation using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches and enhanced self-management and coping strategies for chronic conditions through psycho-educational interventions. Conclusion: Future research should prioritise adults living in low-income and middle-income countries, racialised individuals, as well as those with fewer educational opportunities. There is also a need to advance research in primary care settings, where longitudinal patient–provider relationships would facilitate the success of interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-4f1ee8077f8940309b9dfd33eef410362025-08-20T02:39:51ZengRoyal College of General PractitionersBJGP Open2398-37952024-12-018410.3399/BJGPO.2023.0119Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic reviewKavya Anchuri0Liane Steiner1Roxana Rabet2Amy Craig-Neil3Ellah San Antonio4Oluwasegun Jko Ogundele5Melanie Seabrook6Ceinwen Pope7Serina Dai8Andree Schuler9Carolyn Ziegler10Andrew David Pinto11https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1841-9347Upstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaDalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, CanadaDalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, CanadaDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, CanadaLibrary Services, Unity Health Toronto, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, CanadaUpstream Lab, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, CanadaBackground: Social isolation is associated with increased all-cause and premature mortality, poor chronic disease management, and mental health concerns. Limited research exists on interventions addressing social isolation among individuals under 65 despite its increasing prevalence among young and middle-aged adults. Aim: To identify interventions from the extant literature that address social isolation and loneliness in ambulatory healthcare settings in adults aged 18–64 and to identify elements of successful studies for future intervention design. Design & setting: Systematic review of interventions targeting social isolation in community-dwelling adults aged 18–64 within ambulatory healthcare settings. Method: A search strategy was developed to identify relevant articles in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, EBM Reviews, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsychInfo. Data were extracted on study design and setting, intervention type, outcome related to social isolation/loneliness, and scale of measure used. Results: 25 078 citations were identified and underwent title and abstract screening. 75 articles met our inclusion criteria and were synthesised, including an assessment of bias. Effective interventions were delivered in community health settings, incorporated a group component, and used digital technologies. They also addressed the association between mental health and social isolation using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches and enhanced self-management and coping strategies for chronic conditions through psycho-educational interventions. Conclusion: Future research should prioritise adults living in low-income and middle-income countries, racialised individuals, as well as those with fewer educational opportunities. There is also a need to advance research in primary care settings, where longitudinal patient–provider relationships would facilitate the success of interventions.https://bjgpopen.org/content/8/4/BJGPO.2023.0119social isolationlonelinessprimary care
spellingShingle Kavya Anchuri
Liane Steiner
Roxana Rabet
Amy Craig-Neil
Ellah San Antonio
Oluwasegun Jko Ogundele
Melanie Seabrook
Ceinwen Pope
Serina Dai
Andree Schuler
Carolyn Ziegler
Andrew David Pinto
Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
BJGP Open
social isolation
loneliness
primary care
title Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
title_full Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
title_fullStr Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
title_short Interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18–64: a systematic review
title_sort interventions in ambulatory healthcare settings to reduce social isolation among adults aged 18 64 a systematic review
topic social isolation
loneliness
primary care
url https://bjgpopen.org/content/8/4/BJGPO.2023.0119
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