Going along the neighbourhood: the role of place in preventing and reducing loneliness

Abstract Background Loneliness is recognized as a public health problem that is generated by the way our societies are constructed. More research points towards the role of place as both a cause of and a remedy for loneliness. As part of the SBO-FWO research ‘A Lonely Planet’, we investigate the role of physical environment characteristics in preventing and reducing loneliness. Methods We performed go-alonginterviews with inhabitants as part of 4 neighbourhood casestudies in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium. Case selection was based on their vulnerability to loneliness, taking into account socio-demographic and livability indicators. The method is appropriate for the study of people's experiences in and of their neighbourhood. In each case, 8-12 inhabitants (18+) were interviewed. A researcher and participant ‘went along’ meaningful places for the participant in relation to loneliness and connectedness. We identify mechanisms through which physical environment characteristics can prevent and reduce loneliness. Results Preliminary results within and between cases provide insights in the relevance, use and meaning of physical environment characteristics for participants, such as parks, traffic, amenities and local landmarks. The mechanisms reveal a multifaceted image that transcends the conventional perspective on loneliness as a deficit in the quality or quantity of social relations, but indicate the importance of a sense of belonging to a place, experiences of public familiarity and local opportunities to meet for loneliness prevention and reduction. Conclusions This study adds a place-based perspective to conventional loneliness frameworks, and informs policy and practice. The results underscore a more structural perspective on loneliness prevention and reduction, complementary to targeting individual characteristics. Key messages • Physical environment characteristics are significant for preventing and reducing loneliness. • This study reveals the importance of a sense of belonging to a place.