>[!Summary]+ >Training provided by Campaign to End Loneliness. >Done 25.07.2023. >[Link](https://rise.articulate.com/share/Pu2cRqAj3WBuQljcgFoQsC7yHgqIZS0N#/lessons/vlcC-XpSzJHVXdeAp1FN18k13voM4Imy) >Password: Campaign2486 There are things that cause increased risk of loneliness. ## Personal characteristics (from ONS): - Being aged 16 to 24 years (March 2023 ONS data says those aged between 16-29 are over two times as likely to report feeling lonely often or always than those over 70 (9.7% versus 3.7%)) - Being ==female==  - Being ==single or widowed== - Having a ==health condition described as “limiting”== - ==Renting== - Feeling ==a lower sense of belonging to the neighbourhood and having little trust of others in the local area== ## Structural factors including our environment and social and economic contexts: - ==Lack of social services and infrastructure== (public transport, community centres, affordable housing, care support, childcare and social services) - ==Poor physical or isolating environments ==(buildings and communities not providing safe and informal [[Connection]] opportunities. Physically inaccessible or unwelcoming, uninclusive) - Social and cultural norms, attitudes and perceptions. (Perceptions of a decline in community spirit, the stigma of loneliness and reluctance to talk about it. This stops us establish the connections we want and need). ## Psychological factors can create a downward spiral of more negative thoughts and [[Hopelessness and Despair|despair]]. - Psychological factors can affect how we respond and address our feelings of loneliness - Social cognition: [[Cognitive biases]] means that our interpretation of the world doesn't reflect reality. This means we approach social situations differently and more negatively. This can make us avoid others and withdraw. - Attributional styles: For example, people believe their loneliness is an internal rather than external. Chronically lonely people think this way, but having variable attributions is a better way out of loneliness. - Coping styles: How we respond to challenge. People with emotion-focussed coping styles try to deny their feelings, or lower their expectations of relationships, which means their loneliness is more likely to become chronic. Problem-focussed coping styles respond by improving relationships or seeking external help. - Self-esteem. Those with low self-esteem and/or low self-efficacy makes people less likely to go out and make meaningful friendships and connections. - Mental health. Loneliness has a two-way relationship with depression and [[Anxiety]]. In itself it is not a mental health problem, but can be a catalyst towards it. - Early life experience. Conflict between parents, bullying and economic hardship can increase the risk of loneliness. - In London specifically, the five associative factors for severe loneliness are: - Going through life changes or being new in London - Being acutely poor - Being single; living alone - Experiencing prejudice or feeling different - Being disabled or deaf