Social Participation, Loneliness and Depression

Burroughs, Heather; Wilkie, Ross

Abstract

Retirement from paid employment and other changes in role can, for some older people, lead to a decline in social participation. A lack of social participation can cause loneliness, but the two states are not synonymous. Loneliness is emotional distress; it has been described as a mismatch between the social relationships people desire and those that they actually have. It can manifest in different forms – it can be a longing for the company of a particular person or it can be a generalised desire for a wider social circle. By widening the social circle and increasing social participation, there is some evidence that loneliness can be reduced.

Indeed, there is a body of research suggesting that participation in social activities is important in maintaining mental and physical well-being. Numerous studies suggest that social participation can lead to an increase in physical exercise, social support and the sharing of health information. In addition, social participation helps to maintain a sense of identity and can provide a sense of satisfaction and mastery.

Citation

Burroughs, H., & Wilkie, R. (2016). Social Participation, Loneliness and Depression. In Mental Health and Older People (57-65). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29492-6_6

• Online Publication Date: May 18, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2023
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 57-65
• Book Title: Mental Health and Older People
• Chapter Number: 6
• ISBN: 9783319294902; 9783319294926
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29492-6_6
• Keywords: Social participation; Loneliness; Depression; Emotional distress; Social loneliness; Emotional loneliness