## Metadata - Author: [[Wonkhe]] - Full Title: Understanding Loneliness Stigma - Category: #Source/articles - URL: https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/understanding-loneliness-stigma/ >[!AI Summary]+ >"Understanding Loneliness Stigma" is a report that explores the stigma associated with loneliness. It aims to understand the nature of loneliness, the barriers preventing people from addressing their loneliness, the experience of loneliness stigma, and strategies to reduce this stigma. The report highlights that age has an impact on experiences of loneliness stigma, with younger people experiencing more self-stigma associated with loneliness. It also discusses the definitions of social stigma and self-stigma. The report identifies various barriers that prevent individuals from addressing their loneliness, such as fear of judgment and lack of awareness about available support. Strategies for reducing loneliness stigma include increasing public awareness, promoting empathy and understanding, and fostering inclusive communities. The report also discusses unique challenges faced by young people in relation to loneliness stigma. The literature review included in the report highlights that young people may drop out of university rather than seeking help for loneliness, and that young people perceive their loneliness as something that can be changed or controlled, leading to self-blame. Gender is also identified as a key issue, with men being less likely to admit to feeling lonely and women expressing more shame or embarrassment about feeling lonely. The report provides recommendations, such as normalizing loneliness. ## Takeaways - [[Younger people self-stigmatise]]. This involves feelings of shame and a tendency to hide personal characteristics or experiences - Social stigma is different- this is others stigmatising and discriminating based on experiences of loneliness. - Fear of judgment, societal expectations and lack of awareness about support were the main things stopping them getting help - young people felt that they were dismissed because of ==the idea that older people are more lonely== - increasing public awareness, promoting empathy and understanding, and fostering inclusive communities are all activities we can do - Social media NOT seen as an issue for individuals, but rather for society. - ==Young people blame themselves for their loneliness==, and think it is their fault. It's not. - Language considerations are important. Let's try to be positive, not negative. We need students to ==anticipate positive responses when they open up or try to make friendships==. - Need to do other stuff to tackle loneliness, not just tackle stigma ## Highlights - There’s a [new report out](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-exploring-the-stigma-associated-with-loneliness/exploring-loneliness-stigma-through-qualitative-interviews-and-focus-groups) that presents the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore “loneliness stigma”. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hz9dsbx1endnb22wzcabam)) - It aimed to understand the nature of loneliness, the barriers preventing people from addressing their loneliness, the experience of loneliness stigma, and strategies to reduce this stigma. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hz9n2a0nswnfef6d6gpr04)) - Key findings related to age and experiences of loneliness stigma: ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hz9wpn217q4g7tchqq7gft)) - Age has an impact on experiences of loneliness stigma. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hz9zsqf49t7p616sjh293e)) - ==Younger people may experience more self-stigma associated with loneliness==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hza07frycbhd70gbrhwfm3)) - Embarrassment about admitting to loneliness decreases with age. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hza2j2751wax9e2f2zd5bh)) - Younger people may feel shame and a greater inclination to conceal feelings of loneliness. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hza3zwc3k40tsgm0qsm19y)) - Young people may be stigmatised due to the perception that loneliness is less common among their age group. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hza8aa2t43n6j6sa74cqg9)) - Young people may self-stigmatise based on the belief that they are to blame for their loneliness. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzaahg8knrj3drv1d3d72f)) - Definitions ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzak4z3jvmvfyhphamggxv)) - “==Social stigma” refers to negative attitudes or beliefs directed towards individuals or groups based on characteristics that distinguish them from others, in this case, experiences of loneliness. It can lead to devaluation and discrimination.== ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzahwd0pk5cpxd3j9fng0c)) - Meanwhile “==self-stigma” involves feelings of shame and a tendency to hide personal characteristics or experiences==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzd0yz9ygfh11mmhcsfk5s)) - Major findings ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzd7xdbmwsc6sce4b1zsma)) - The study explored the various understandings and expressions of loneliness. Participants described loneliness as a complex and multifaceted experience, encompassing emotional, social, and physical aspects. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzdb10qfkvvsba25r8229c)) - It also identified ==numerous barriers that prevent individuals from addressing their loneliness, such as fear of judgment, societal expectations, and lack of awareness about available support==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzq8fx3184bwdkskc2r068)) - both actual social stigma, experienced from others, and self-stigma, resulting from internalised shame, contribute to the challenges faced by lonely individuals. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzqrcrkekv1y54vkwffnj8)) - Strategies for reducing loneliness stigma were also explored, emphasising the importance of ==increasing public awareness, promoting empathy and understanding, and fostering inclusive communities==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzr6q1af67n11475gnq5sq)) - Unique challenges ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzssqrsc2sa6qm9ggax9jg)) - Young people felt that ==their experiences were dismissed (or not recognised at all) due to assumptions== that their needs for social connection were met by those around them ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzsvdmkfxzxrfk17bc39jy)) - While some young interviewees acknowledged social media as a societal driver of their loneliness, they did not suggest that their lonely feelings resulted from a choice to prioritise social media over face-to-face connection. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5hzt2790mpsq0vhd9h5am3e)) - In the literature review: ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j07x33ex3rdgws7bj7wxph)) - Qualitative research suggests young people drop out of university rather than seeking help for feelings of loneliness and isolation ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j07whj22s4q9z0d4etxany)) - A BBC Loneliness Experiment found that many ==young people perceive their loneliness as something that can be changed or controlled==. Researchers have suggested that this can lead young people to feel blame or responsibility for their loneliness. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j08jf4b7bd2es46he98yvr)) - Other surveys identified that young people feel that loneliness in their age group is not recognised as an issue by wider society. Researchers have suggested that both issues have led to increased stigma for this demographic. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j08tjs17e3qjh9mffd1c7g)) - Young people interviewed have suggested that ==people experiencing loneliness “do not fit in”, “seem strange”== or have serious mental health issues. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j08zm2xjzn9s6dhnq4c3yj)) - It’s worth noting that the lit review also identified gender as a key issue: ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j09txp9fyr9nv8aqzc3myr)) - ==Men are less likely than women to admit to feeling lonely and more prone to feeling embarrassment or shame about it==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j09nxxqg1x4z2ept2z8k9e)) - Women are more likely than men to express shame or embarrassment about feeling lonely. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j09rabka919xena9ga1e53)) - Recommendations ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0a6dfjr0hvte1ky98dq4p)) - **Use campaigns to normalise loneliness**: ==Promote loneliness as a normal and universal emotion== to help individuals experiencing it feel part of the majority, reducing self-stigma. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0a7mfkqx1btqjjw34vm23)) - **Support discussions and signposting**: ==Encourage group discussions around loneliness experiences==, provide signposting to loneliness-specific services, and support other services to identify and support people experiencing loneliness. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0hramyjfm39q9jen1jrze)) - **Language considerations**: Carefully construct language in service delivery and campaigns to avoid perpetuating stigma. Use ==positive terminology like “connecting” and “building relationships”== instead of negative words like “tackle.” ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0hwzcjz6qpxcv5f35n6wz)) - The report argues that by normalising loneliness, addressing negative associations, and promoting conversations, individuals experiencing loneliness can feel less alone, reduce self-stigma, and ==anticipate more positive reactions== when sharing their feelings. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0j3741jcrtas8211kbp5d)) - It is essential to ==address wider challenges alongside stigma, such as practical obstacles to socialising, part time work, and limited free time==. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h5j0j95x7dzh9hcazbf22aqa))