Social Connectedness and Loneliness in Adults with Psychological Problems: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Every human being strives to build social connections with others. Adults with psychological problems are vulnerable in maintaining social relationships to avoid feeling lonely. This study aims to examine how the social connectedness of adults with psychological problems or those who are vulnerable. The research method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that synthesizes data from sources such as Google Scholar and Scopus. 14 research articles were found and synthesized for discussion. The literature review shows that adults with psychological problems tend to have greater difficulty in developing social connections, which results in a higher sense of loneliness. Vulnerable conditions experienced by adults, such as trauma, social disorders, depression, and those related to the pandemic, create different dynamics. Some conditions of social connectivity in vulnerable adults can increase the risk of difficulty in connecting and loneliness, such as trauma and autism. In addition, virtual interactions provide a unique pattern in maintaining social connectedness, especially after the pandemic. Demographic and materialistic factors are also related to social connectivity and loneliness in adults. Lastly, even though adults do not interact with others, connecting with nature can maintain the stability of self-well-being from feelings of loneliness. Social support and psychological interventions can be beneficial in helping people who have psychological issues to stay connected with others and avoid loneliness.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15548/alqalb.v16i1.11060
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