Systematic Reviews of Psychosocial Interventions for Loneliness Among Older Adults in Community and Residential Care Settings: An Umbrella Review

ABSTRACT

Aim

To describe the latest information on types of psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness on loneliness reduction among older adults in community and residential care settings, and the experience with these interventions.

Design

Umbrella review.

Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for umbrella reviews.

Data Sources

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Medline; Embase; Emcare; PsycINFO; ProQuest Dissertation & Thesis Global; Ovid Nursing Database; MedRxvi.

Results

Twenty-two reviews were included. Seven major types of psychosocial intervention were identified: (1) social facilitation interventions, (2) psychological therapies, (3) health and social care provision, (4) animal-assisted interventions, (5) befriending interventions, (6) leisure and skill development, and (7) other interventions. Social facilitation interventions that provide synchronised interaction, psychological therapies, health and social care provision, and animal (−assisted) interventions demonstrated positive effects while leisure/skill development and befriending interventions warrant more rigorous evidence. Group settings, synchronised interaction and purpose-driven are identified as facilitators, whereas technological issues and safety issues are barriers to participation.

Conclusion

Seven types of psychosocial interventions are currently available for loneliness among community-dwelling older adults, and a positive effect in reducing loneliness was demonstrated in some types. Facilitators and barriers to their participation were synthesised. Two future research directions are suggested: (1) reviews on meaning-centred interventions to provide a comprehensive understanding and (2) implementation studies employing community-based paraprofessionals to promote programme scalability and accessibility.

Implications for the Profession

Health and social care practitioners (e.g., nurses), researchers and policymakers are recommended to employ social facilitation interventions with synchronised interaction, psychological therapies, health and social care provision and animal-assisted interventions to address loneliness among community-dwelling older adults.

Impact

This review provided empirical information on available effective interventions to address loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. It also provided information for nurses to implement psychosocial interventions in the community.

Reporting Method

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines

Patient or Public Contribution

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD 42023482852, registered 25/11/2023