Faces of loneliness: How to decrease loneliness in the heterogeneous group of informal caregivers of people with chronic or lifelong conditions?

NWO funded project
Dutch Research Agenda (NWA)
Thematic programme
Theme: NWA Loneliness

Informal caregivers (ICGs) of people with chronic conditions are at risk of experiencing loneliness and vulnerable for decreased well-being. These problems not only affect their functioning negatively but also the person they care for. The societal consequences can be alarming due to developments towards a participatory society and increased demands on informal healthcare. Insights in the experiences of ICGs and possibilities to mitigate loneliness is important in achieving the ultimate goal of decreasing loneliness in a heterogeneous group of ICGs of people with chronic conditions.

The main research questions are:
(1) To what extent and how do ICGs experience loneliness?
(2) what are the contributing factors and what are their support needs?
(3) How can we intervene from an socio-ecological system perspective to decrease loneliness?

This project gives insights into lived experiences of loneliness in the heterogeneous group of ICGs of people with chronic conditions, contributing factors and how to intervene from an socio-ecological perspective. Evidence based interventions and implementation strategies are developed and assessed, so they can be used in practice. This project aims for societal breakthroughs by reducing loneliness and creating awareness in society through better understanding of loneliness, contributing factors and support needs in the heterogeneous group of ICGs. This knowledge will be transferred to evidence-based interventions to address the issue of loneliness among ICGs. This way, we contribute to a sustainable society, with higher wellbeing for ICGs and the people they care for.