Research about connecting with others via the local physical and social environment
DCMS-commissioned research exploring the impact of structural factors relating to physical and social environments on loneliness in areas of high deprivation, and potential interventions.
Applies to England
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Structural factors are defined as the broader political, economic, social, and environmental conditions and institutions that can increase or decrease the opportunities, resources, and wellbeing of individuals. A review of the existing evidence base around tackling loneliness in 2023, recognised that structural factors are important drivers of stigma and are likely to influence experiences of loneliness, particularly among marginalised communities. The review concluded that further research is needed to understand how structural factors affect loneliness, which draws on specific lived experiences and barriers for social connection with affected communities.
This research focuses on two structural factors: physical environment, which includes factors such as transportation infrastructure, housing type and provision, and green space; and the social environment, including factors such as social cohesion and community belonging.