Experience of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of 50 968 adult Danes
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Experience of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic : a cross-sectional study of 50 968 adult Danes. / Christoffersen, Lea A. N.; Helenius, Dorte; Schwinn, Michael; Erikstrup, Christian; Hjalgrim, Henrik; Nissen, Janna; Banasik, Karina; Nielsen, Kaspar; Kaspersen, Kathrine A.; Dinh, Khoa M.; Bruun, Mie T.; Ostrowski, Sisse R.; Sækmose, Susanne; Hansen, Thomas F.; Werge, Thomas; Didriksen, Maria; Pedersen, Ole Birger.
In: BMJ Open, Vol. 13, No. 4, e064033, 2023.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Experience of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - a cross-sectional study of 50 968 adult Danes
AU - Christoffersen, Lea A. N.
AU - Helenius, Dorte
AU - Schwinn, Michael
AU - Erikstrup, Christian
AU - Hjalgrim, Henrik
AU - Nissen, Janna
AU - Banasik, Karina
AU - Nielsen, Kaspar
AU - Kaspersen, Kathrine A.
AU - Dinh, Khoa M.
AU - Bruun, Mie T.
AU - Ostrowski, Sisse R.
AU - Sækmose, Susanne
AU - Hansen, Thomas F.
AU - Werge, Thomas
AU - Didriksen, Maria
AU - Pedersen, Ole Birger
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Objectives To examine the level of loneliness experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark and to identify associated behavioural patterns and demographic factors. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting Includes Danish active and former blood donors. Participants A questionnaire was sent to 124 307 active and former blood donors, of these a total of 50 968 participants completed the study questionnaire (response rate=41%). Primary and secondary outcome measures Subjective experience of loneliness was measured using the 3-item University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3). Besides the UCLA-3, the respondents answered items on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, items on precautionary measures taken to avoid COVID-19 infection as well as on COVID-19 anxiety. Results The participants indicated their experienced level of loneliness both before and during the pandemic. Comparing the two reports yielded a mean increase in loneliness scores of 14.1% (p<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis identified the factor well-being, which comprised three questionnaire items related to emotional heath, physical health and happiness. A high score on the factor well-being was associated with reduced levels of loneliness (coefficient=-0.47, 95% CI -0.49 to -0.46)). Furthermore, women were more likely than men to have experienced increased levels of loneliness during the pandemic (coefficient=0.27, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.29). Furthermore, a negative correlation between higher age and change in loneliness score was observed. Conclusions The findings document an increase in the level of experienced loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting individuals with low well-being, women and younger individuals.
AB - Objectives To examine the level of loneliness experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark and to identify associated behavioural patterns and demographic factors. Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting Includes Danish active and former blood donors. Participants A questionnaire was sent to 124 307 active and former blood donors, of these a total of 50 968 participants completed the study questionnaire (response rate=41%). Primary and secondary outcome measures Subjective experience of loneliness was measured using the 3-item University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3). Besides the UCLA-3, the respondents answered items on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, items on precautionary measures taken to avoid COVID-19 infection as well as on COVID-19 anxiety. Results The participants indicated their experienced level of loneliness both before and during the pandemic. Comparing the two reports yielded a mean increase in loneliness scores of 14.1% (p<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis identified the factor well-being, which comprised three questionnaire items related to emotional heath, physical health and happiness. A high score on the factor well-being was associated with reduced levels of loneliness (coefficient=-0.47, 95% CI -0.49 to -0.46)). Furthermore, women were more likely than men to have experienced increased levels of loneliness during the pandemic (coefficient=0.27, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.29). Furthermore, a negative correlation between higher age and change in loneliness score was observed. Conclusions The findings document an increase in the level of experienced loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting individuals with low well-being, women and younger individuals.
KW - COVID-19
KW - mental health
KW - public health
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064033
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064033
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37185636
AN - SCOPUS:85158836630
VL - 13
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
SN - 2044-6055
IS - 4
M1 - e064033
ER -
ID: 347486058