Back to Basics in the field of loneliness: Progressing conceptualisation and definition of the term – An umbrella concept analysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Back to Basics in the field of loneliness

T2 - Progressing conceptualisation and definition of the term – An umbrella concept analysis

AU - Cunningham, Kathryn

AU - Wells, Mary E.

AU - Kroll, Thilo

N1 - Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s).

PY - 2025/8/19

Y1 - 2025/8/19

N2 - The absence of a comprehensive, unified, conceptualisation of loneliness and the consequent lack of a clear and precise theoretical definition of loneliness impede research, policy and practice activities to understand and address this global public health issue. Our study aimed to establish the first such conceptualisation and develop the first such definition. To do so, we undertook a systematic conceptual review, specifically an umbrella concept analysis, including 42 documents summarising/synthesising the literature concerning the conceptualisation and/or theoretical definition of loneliness. The novel definition developed is the negative feeling(s) one experiences as a result of a (conscious or subconscious) personal perception that one's interpersonal needs are not satisfied by (the quantity and/or quality of) one's interpersonal (emotional, social, collective, professional and/or religious) relationships. In the process, we identified the unidimensionality of loneliness and generated clarity regarding the opposite of loneliness (‘unloneliness’). We call on researchers, policymakers and practitioners working in the field of loneliness, the wider field of interpersonal relationships or encountering loneliness in other fields of activity, across the globe, to employ the novel conceptualisation and theoretical definition as a foundation for activities to further progress understanding and addressing of loneliness. We also encourage consideration of unloneliness, when undertaking such activities.

AB - The absence of a comprehensive, unified, conceptualisation of loneliness and the consequent lack of a clear and precise theoretical definition of loneliness impede research, policy and practice activities to understand and address this global public health issue. Our study aimed to establish the first such conceptualisation and develop the first such definition. To do so, we undertook a systematic conceptual review, specifically an umbrella concept analysis, including 42 documents summarising/synthesising the literature concerning the conceptualisation and/or theoretical definition of loneliness. The novel definition developed is the negative feeling(s) one experiences as a result of a (conscious or subconscious) personal perception that one's interpersonal needs are not satisfied by (the quantity and/or quality of) one's interpersonal (emotional, social, collective, professional and/or religious) relationships. In the process, we identified the unidimensionality of loneliness and generated clarity regarding the opposite of loneliness (‘unloneliness’). We call on researchers, policymakers and practitioners working in the field of loneliness, the wider field of interpersonal relationships or encountering loneliness in other fields of activity, across the globe, to employ the novel conceptualisation and theoretical definition as a foundation for activities to further progress understanding and addressing of loneliness. We also encourage consideration of unloneliness, when undertaking such activities.

KW - Loneliness

KW - concept analysis

KW - umbrella review

KW - conceptualisation

KW - definition

KW - interpersonal relationships

U2 - 10.1080/17437199.2025.2528822

DO - 10.1080/17437199.2025.2528822

M3 - Article

C2 - 40828660

SN - 1743-7199

VL - 19

SP - 839

EP - 877

JO - Health Psychology Review

JF - Health Psychology Review

IS - 4

ER -