Jenny de Jong Gierveld’s research while affiliated with Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute and other places

We describe three subgroups of older lonely people (Persona), and design different approaches to loneliness that directly address their specific needs and circumstances: the combination approach. The use of Persona is a middle ground between 'one approach appropriate for all' and 'each person's own approach'. A Persona is described using various risk factors for loneliness. These are advanced age, living alone, small network, low perceived control, and low income. Based on this, we explore the potential effect of improving some of these situations for reducing loneliness (Cohen's d ranges between -0.33 and -0.58). For two approaches we report what the realized effect was (d=-0.83 in both interventions). The three Persona and the approaches are examples that designers of a loneliness approach can use by analogy to elaborate and substantiate their approach.

Social isolation, the objective characteristics of a situation of a small social network, is frequently mentioned as a major risk factor for loneliness and mental health problems. In contrast to social isolation, loneliness is the subjective experience of a situation as one of an undesired lack of (quality of) certain relationships. Although social isolation is strongly associated with loneliness, there is no direct, simple association between both phenomena. The standards or wishes for specific types of relationships and the varying cognitive discrepancy experienced are crucial intermediates between social isolation and loneliness.

In this chapter, we outline a conceptual foundation and strategies to prevent loneliness, promoting Active Aging and enhancing quality of life in later life. We stress the importance of maintaining meaningful social connections throughout life and present a framework to prevent severe loneliness. The strategies focus on proactive measures to address loneliness early or before it arises. We also emphasize the role of broader social factors in preventing loneliness and supporting Active Aging.

Social exclusion is complex and dynamic, and it leads to the non-realization of social, economic, political or cultural rights or participation within a society. This critical review takes stock of the literature on exclusion of social relations. Social relations are defined as comprising social resources, social connections and social networks. An evidence review group undertook a critical review which integrates, interprets and synthesizes information across studies to develop a conceptual model of exclusion from social relations. The resulting model is a subjective interpretation of the literature and is intended to be the starting point for further evaluations. The conceptual model identifies individual risks for exclusion from social relations (personal attributes, biological and neurological risk, retirement, socio-economic status, exclusion from material resources and migration). It incorporates the evaluation of social relations, and the influence of psychosocial resources and socio-emotional processes, sociocultural, social-structural, environmental and policy contextual influences on exclusion from social relations. It includes distal outcomes of exclusion from social relations, that is, individual well-being, health and functioning, social opportunities and social cohesion. The dynamic relationships between elements of the model are also reported. We conclude that the model provides a subjective interpretation of the data and an excellent starting point for further phases of conceptual development and systematic evaluation(s). Future research needs to consider the use of sophisticated analytical tools and an interdisciplinary approach in order to understand the underlying biological and ecopsychosocial associations that contribute to individual and dynamic differences in the experience of exclusion from social relations.

Living apart together (LAT) combines intimacy with autonomy and flexibility but, possibly, with lower commitment to exchanging support and care compared with first marriages, remarriages, and cohabitation of older adults. Data from 50- to 79-year-old respondents in the Family and Fertility Survey 2013 (Statistics Netherlands; N = 4,108) showed that older LAT partners are most often involved in exchanging emotional support. No differences were found in the receipt of daily care. Multivariate analyses showed that receiving support and care from the partner was associated with more health problems, higher quality of the partner relationship, and a broader support network. When in poor health, LAT partners were less likely to receive daily care, but not emotional support, from their partner compared with the other types. Partner relationships in later life are well equipped to provide emotional support, but partner care is facilitated largely by help from others.

Social isolation, the objective characteristics of a situation of a small-sized social network, is frequently mentioned as a major risk factor for loneliness and mental health problems. In contrast to social isolation, loneliness is the subjective experience of a situation as one of an undesired lack of (quality of) certain relationships. Although social isolation is strongly associated with loneliness, there is not a direct simple association between both phenomena. The standards or wishes for specific types of relationships and the varying cognitive discrepancy experienced are crucial intermediates between social isolation and loneliness.