Political leaders urged to tackle loneliness public health crisis

The next government must urgently help the millions of people in the UK suffering from loneliness or face a "public health emergency", says the British Psychological Society. 

The warning comes after new research has revealed that people from ethnic minority groups are at an increased risk of loneliness compared with the rest of the UK population.

Published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, the study found that certain stigmas that those from ethnic minorities face, such as discrimination, cause an increase in self-reported loneliness as well as loneliness caused by anxiety.

The study's results come as the issues surrounding loneliness are brought into focus during Loneliness Awareness Week (10-16 June).

Co-author of Stigma salience increases loneliness among ethnic minorities David Matthew Doyle said: 

"Our research has shown that previous experiences of discrimination increase the risk of loneliness for those from ethnic minority groups, particularly when those experiences are made salient, such as through reminders about one's marginalized status in society.

"We also found that loneliness for those from an ethnic minority is strongly connected with anxiety, and perhaps specifically anxiety due to social status, which may be shaped by previous experiences of discrimination and rejection. 

"It can be a difficult cycle to break. Stigmatised social groups are disadvantaged through reduced access to material resources and direct effects of prejudice on health and well-being, but also through restricted access to social connection." 

Julia Faulconbridge, from the BPS's Division of Clinical Psychology said:

"It has been disappointing so far in this general election campaign that none of the political leaders have mentioned loneliness during their campaigns. With nearly four million people in the UK suffering from loneliness¹, this is another public health emergency facing our society. As this new research shows this is particularly the case for those from ethnic minorities. We also know that loneliness has a disproportionate impact on those living in poverty, disabled people and those with a chronic health condition. 

"Evidence has shown time and again that loneliness is a predominant risk factor across the age range in people developing both mental and physical health problems. It should therefore be a key area in prevention and early intervention strategies locally and nationally. This Loneliness Awareness Week, we encourage all political leaders to tackle this vital issue head on and outline their proposed solutions to solve this at a systemic level."

Notes

• Stigma salience refers to the relative importance or significance ascribed to a stigmatized issue or group. In this case the stigma salience is recalling a personal experience of discrimination based on ethnicity. 
• The studies had 134 and 267 participants in the UK respectively. 
• ¹Facts and Statistics | Campaign to End Loneliness