## There are more important aspects to consider - [[Agency]] and [[autonomy]] - Self-advocacy - ## There are problems with investigating loneliness - Danger of viewing transitions as a point in time, rather than a process - Evidence on effective interventions are limited - There are state and trait characteristics of loneliness - Link between the need to belong and loneliness - There are individual differences in teh need to belong ## Responses - a lack of agency can lead to loneliness, and loneliness can reduce one's sense of agency, leading to a downward spiral. - People with high agency (high control over lives) tend to form and maintain better social relationships - Social self-efficacy (confidence in one’s ability to connect with others) is a critical aspect of agency. Low self-efficacy can lead to withdrawal, deepening loneliness. - When individuals feel their identities are constrained by external labels or discrimination, their agency is suppressed, often leading to social isolation. - Marginalised groups may have reduced opportunities for agentic action due to systemic barriers, increasing their risk of chronic loneliness - Loneliness undermines agency, leading to fatigue, depression and reduced motivation - Agency is a route out of loneliness. Autonomy-supporting environments (including partnership, Student Voice, co-design) can rebuild agency. - There is a clear link to [[Self Determination Theory]]. Fostering autonomy, competance and relatedness can protect against loneliness. - [[Participatory design]] will be important to the development of our approach - Peer support and activism can bring people together and help them regain control.