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Does unemployment lead to greater levels of loneliness? A systematic review

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  • Morrish, N.
  • Medina-Lara, A.

Abstract

There is evidence that loneliness and unemployment each have a negative impact on public health. Both are experienced across the life course and are of increasing concern in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review seeks to examine the strength and direction of the relationship between loneliness and unemployment in working age individuals, and in particular the potential for a self-reinforcing cycle with combined healthcare outcomes. A systematic search was undertaken in Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and EconLit from inception to December 2020. PRISMA reporting guidelines were followed throughout this review, study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and results were summarised in a narrative synthesis. English language studies evaluating the relationship between loneliness and unemployment in higher income western countries were included. Thirty-seven studies were identified; 30 cross-sectional and 7 longitudinal. Loneliness was measured by a direct question or loneliness scale while unemployment was self-reported or retrieved from a national register. A positive association between unemployment and increased loneliness was observed across all studies. Thus, across the life-course a clear yet complex relationship exists between unemployment and greater experience of loneliness. The magnitude of this relationship increases with the severity of loneliness and appears to peak at age 30–34 and 50–59. Logistic regression provided the greatest consistency at statistical significance revealing at least a 40% increase in the likelihood of reporting loneliness when unemployed. Recent longitudinal studies identified in this review found higher levels of loneliness following job loss, but also that loneliness was predictive of unemployment suggesting potential bi-directionality in the relationship. This bi-directionality may create a multiplier effect between loneliness and unemployment to form a self-reinforcing relationship and greater health concerns for those most at risk. Thus, review findings suggest the need for cross-sector awareness and intervention to tackle both loneliness and unemployment.

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  • Morrish, N. & Medina-Lara, A., 2021. "Does unemployment lead to greater levels of loneliness? A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:287:y:2021:i:c:s0277953621006717
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114339
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Aparna Shankar & Tara Kidd, 2022. "Loneliness in Older Indian Dyads," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Marcello Nonnis & Mirian Agus & Gianmarco Frau & Antonio Urban & Claudio Giovanni Cortese, 2023. "Job Seekers’ Burnout and Engagement: A Qualitative Study of Long-Term Unemployment in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Casabianca, Elizabeth & Kovacic, Matija, 2024. "Social interactions, loneliness and health: A new angle on an old debate," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1378, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Sri Susanty & Min-Huey Chung & Hsiao-Yean Chiu & Mei-Ju Chi & Sophia H. Hu & Chien-Lin Kuo & Yeu-Hui Chuang, 2022. "Prevalence of Loneliness and Associated Factors among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-11, April.
    5. Masood Badri & Mugheer Alkhaili & Hamad Aldhaheri & Guang Yang & Saad Yaaqeib & Muna Albahar & Asma Alrashdi, 2023. "The Interconnected Effects of Financial Constraints, Social Connections, and Health on the Subjective Well-Being of the Unemployed in Abu Dhabi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Sumeet Lal & Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Abdul-Salam Sulemana & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "A Longitudinal Study on Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Barjaková, Martina & Garnero, Andrea & d’Hombres, Béatrice, 2023. "Risk factors for loneliness: A literature review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).

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