There has been growing recognition of the harmful consequences of loneliness for health and well-being, and the need for community intervention, particularly in times of global crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic with its imperatives of distancing, isolation, and quarantine. Social capital and a sense of social cohesion are known to have roles in buffering against the effects of adverse life circumstances. Our study sought to investigate the association of a range of social attitudes and activities – as proxies for social capital – with loneliness while taking into account socio-demographic factors. We undertook a national survey on a stratified random sample of the New Zealand (NZ) adult population aged 18+ in 2017 (n = 1,358), data from which included the requisite variables. The prevalence of loneliness was highest in young adults (18–30), falling with age until a slight rise in older people (76+). Loneliness was associated with socio-demographic factors, being more prevalent in the more disadvantaged groups: the deprived, Māori (the indigenous people of NZ), the non-partnered, and the less educated. Controlling for these socio-demographic factors, pro-social attitudes (that is towards political efficacy, trust in others, not feeling exploited, or being committed to family) and participation in social activities (that is being employed or being involved in recreation groups) – were protective against loneliness. Our study supports asset-based approaches to tackling loneliness – with implications for health and social care – that emphasise mobilising existing social resources, building social capital, and raising social cohesion in our communities. Such intervention on loneliness would help to prevent and ameliorate its detrimental consequences for public health.

中文翻译：

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与孤独相关的社会态度和活动：新西兰全国成年人口调查结果

人们越来越认识到孤独对健康和福祉的有害后果，以及社区干预的必要性，特别是在全球危机时期，例如 Covid-19 大流行，其必须保持距离、隔离和隔离。众所周知，社会资本和社会凝聚力在缓冲不利生活环境的影响方面发挥着作用。我们的研究旨在调查一系列社会态度和活动——作为社会资本的代表——与孤独感之间的关系，同时考虑到社会人口因素。我们在 2017 年对新西兰 (NZ) 18 岁以上成年人口的分层随机样本进行了全国调查（n = 1,358），其中包含必要变量的数据。年轻人（18-30 岁）的孤独感患病率最高，随着年龄的增长而下降，直到老年人（76 岁以上）略有上升。孤独与社会人口因素有关，在弱势群体中更为普遍：贫困者、毛利人（新西兰的土著人）、没有伴侣的人和受教育程度较低的人。控制这些社会人口因素、亲社会态度（即对政治效能、信任他人、不感到被剥削或致力于家庭）和参与社会活动（即受雇或参与娱乐团体） ——对孤独有保护作用。我们的研究支持以资产为基础的解决孤独感的方法——对健康和社会关怀有影响——强调动员现有的社会资源、建立社会资本和提高我们社区的社会凝聚力。这种对孤独的干预将有助于预防和减轻其对公共健康的不利影响。