Melissa M.F. Li
ABSTRACT
The state of loneliness in modern society has been referred to by researchers as an epidemic, the rate of which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. Loneliness can have significantly negative impacts on human wellbeing. In this paper, we propose gratitude interventions as a potential solution to improve prosocial behaviour, social connectedness and to function as a mediator of the negative affect associated with loneliness. We present a multi-modal gratitude intervention journaling app that leverages research in social isolation and gratitude intervention and aims to alleviate some of the consequences of loneliness.
Supplemental Material
Available for Download
- Holt-Lunstad, J. The Potential Public Health Relevance of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Risk Factors. Public Policy & Aging Report, 27, 4 (2018), 127-130.Google Scholar
- Weissbourd, R. M., M; Lovison, V; and Torres, E. Loneliness in America: How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2021.Google Scholar
- Hawkley, L. C. and Cacioppo, J. T. Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Ann Behav Med, 40, 2 (Oct 2010), 218-227.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Courtney, A. L. and Meyer, M. L. Self-Other Representation in the Social Brain Reflects Social Connection. J Neurosci, 40, 29 (Jul 15 2020), 5616-5627.Google Scholar
- National Academies of Sciences, E. and Medicine Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2020.Google Scholar
- Cigna. Loneliness and the Workplace: 2020 U.S. Report. 2020.Google Scholar
- Sandre, A., Bagot, R. C. and Weinberg, A. Blunted neural response to appetitive images prospectively predicts symptoms of depression, and not anxiety, during the transition to university. Biol Psychol, 145 (Jul 2019), 31-41.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Thomas, L., Orme, E. and Kerrigan, F. Student Loneliness: The Role of Social Media Through Life Transitions. Computers & Education, 146 (2020/03/01/ 2020), 103754.Google Scholar
- Masi, C. M., Chen, H. Y., Hawkley, L. C. and Cacioppo, J. T. A meta-analysis of interventions to reduce loneliness. Pers Soc Psychol Rev, 15, 3 (Aug 2011), 219-266.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Toepfer, S. M., Cichy, K. and Peters, P. Letters of Gratitude: Further Evidence for Author Benefits. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13, 1 (2012/03/01 2012), 187-201.Google ScholarCross Ref
- O'Connell, B. H., O'Shea, D. and Gallagher, S. Feeling Thanks and Saying Thanks: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining If and How Socially Oriented Gratitude Journals Work. J Clin Psychol, 73, 10 (Oct 2017), 1280-1300.Google Scholar
- Kerr, S., O'Donovan, A. and Pepping, C. Can Gratitude and Kindness Interventions Enhance Well-being in a Clinical Sample? Journal of Happiness Studies (01/01 2014).Google Scholar
- Sletta, O., Valås, H., Skaalvik, E. and Sobstad, F. Peer relations, loneliness, and self-perceptions in school-aged children. Br J Educ Psychol, 66 ( Pt 4) (Dec 1996), 431-445.Google Scholar
- Wong, Y. J., Owen, J., Gabana, N. T., Brown, J. W., McInnis, S., Toth, P. and Gilman, L. Does gratitude writing improve the mental health of psychotherapy clients? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Psychother Res, 28, 2 (Mar 2018), 192-202.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Witvliet, C. v., Richie, F. J., Root Luna, L. M. and Van Tongeren, D. R. Gratitude predicts hope and happiness: A two-study assessment of traits and states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14, 3 (2019/05/04 2019), 271-282.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Toepfer, S. M. and Walker, K. K. Letters of Gratitude: Improving Well-Being through Expressive Writing. The Journal of Writing Research, 1 (2009), 181-198.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Campagne, D. M. Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness). Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 82 (2019/05/01/ 2019), 192-199.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K. and Sheldon, K. M. Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: an experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion, 11, 2 (Apr 2011), 391-402.Google Scholar
- Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M. and Schkade, D. Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 2 (2005/06/01 2005), 111-131.Google Scholar
- Algoe, S. B. Find, Remind, and Bind: The Functions of Gratitude in Everyday Relationships. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6 (06/01 2012).Google ScholarCross Ref
- Bartlett, M. Y., Condon, P., Cruz, J., Baumann, J. and Desteno, D. Gratitude: prompting behaviours that build relationships. Cogn Emot, 26, 1 (2012), 2-13.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Grant, A. and Gino, F. A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way: Explaining Why Gratitude Expressions Motivate Prosocial Behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 98 (06/01 2010), 946-955.Google Scholar
- Ong, A. D., Uchino, B. N. and Wethington, E. Loneliness and Health in Older Adults: A Mini-Review and Synthesis. Gerontology, 62, 4 (2016), 443-449.Google Scholar
Recommendations
Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness
Highlights- Low self-esteem predicts greater cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration.
- ...
AbstractCyberbullying is a unique phenomenon, distinguished from traditional bullying by the speed at which information is distributed, permanence of material and availability of victims. There is however a paucity of research in this area, ...
Loneliness, parent-child communication and cyberbullying victimization among Spanish youths
Cyberbullying has been recognized as an important risk factor for mental health. Few studies have analyzed relationships between family variables and cyberbullying victimization. This ex post facto study analyze the relationships between loneliness, ...
Social media and loneliness
Social media use continues to grow and is especially prevalent among young adults. It is surprising then that, in spite of this enhanced interconnectivity, young adults may be lonelier than other age groups, and that the current generation may be the ...
Comments