The factors which can trigger the feeling of loneliness can be intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external), as shown here:
![Image][https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel-Infante-5/publication/315475969/figure/fig1/AS:669368123924490@1536601205432/Pathways-into-Loneliness-Goodman-et-al-2015.png]
Goodman et al (2015) described each factor in detail, the researcher has summarised the most relevant aspects of each:
Intrinsic factors can refer to:
- Social group membership: ==being part of an ethnic or a minority social group, make people more vulnerable to loneliness==. Also, Victor (2012) identified that the levels of loneliness in ethnic minorities are generally higher.
- Personality: ==an open character can help to avoid loneliness== rather than the emotionally unstable or anxious.
- Psychological response: a n==egative attitude or lack of personal resilience, contribute to loneliness==.
External factors can refer to:
- Personal circumstances: living on a ==low income, poor health and poor mobility==.
- Life events, traumas, transitions: the== most common event lead to loneliness is bereavement, but also retirement, becoming a carer or losing contemporary friends==.
- Environmental factors: ==lack of transport or not living near to family== lead to fewer social interactions.
It is important to notice that these factors could be present alone or combined in individuals – which could make the interventions to alleviate and identify loneliness more complex – however, the understanding on how these objective life experiences lead to the subjective feeling of loneliness is still limited.