Prolonged grief, social contact, community belongingness: A representative study of loneliness among bereaved UK adults

These findings underscore that individuals who exhibit intense prolonged grief and possess weaker connections to their broader community are especially vulnerable to loneliness. While more frequent personal contact can provide emotional intimacy, fostering a sense of community appears to confer broader, more sustainable social benefits. Interventions that integrate psychological support for severe grief and opportunities for community engagement may be particularly effective in reducing bereavement-related loneliness.