The impact of the built environment on loneliness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Marlee Bower; Jennifer Kent; Roger Patulny; Olivia Green; Laura McGrath; Lily Teesson; Tara Jamalishahni; Hannah Sandison; Emily Rugel

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102962

The impact of the built environment on loneliness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Marlee Bower, Jennifer Kent^*, Roger Patulny, Olivia Green, Laura McGrath, Lily Teesson, Tara Jamalishahni, Hannah Sandison, Emily Rugel

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Loneliness is a pressing public health issue. Although quintessentially individual, it is shaped by wider environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political circumstances. Using a systematic review methodology, this paper draws on interdisciplinary research to conceptualise the relationship between the built environment and loneliness. We present a narrative synthesis of 57 relevant studies to characterise the body of evidence and highlight specific built-environment elements. Our findings demonstrate the need for further conceptual and empirical explorations of the multifaceted ways in which built environments can prevent loneliness, supporting calls for investment into this public-health approach.

Original language	English
Article number	102962
Number of pages	15
Journal	Health and Place
Volume	79
Early online date	7 Jan 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102962
Publication status	Published - Jan 2023

Scopus Subject Areas

Health(social science)
Sociology and Political Science
Life-span and Life-course Studies

User-Defined Keywords

Systematic review
Built environment
Housing
Neighbourhood design
Greenspace
Loneliness

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102962

Cite this

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title = "The impact of the built environment on loneliness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis",

abstract = "Loneliness is a pressing public health issue. Although quintessentially individual, it is shaped by wider environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political circumstances. Using a systematic review methodology, this paper draws on interdisciplinary research to conceptualise the relationship between the built environment and loneliness. We present a narrative synthesis of 57 relevant studies to characterise the body of evidence and highlight specific built-environment elements. Our findings demonstrate the need for further conceptual and empirical explorations of the multifaceted ways in which built environments can prevent loneliness, supporting calls for investment into this public-health approach.",

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AU - McGrath, Laura

AU - Teesson, Lily

AU - Jamalishahni, Tara

AU - Sandison, Hannah

AU - Rugel, Emily

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AB - Loneliness is a pressing public health issue. Although quintessentially individual, it is shaped by wider environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political circumstances. Using a systematic review methodology, this paper draws on interdisciplinary research to conceptualise the relationship between the built environment and loneliness. We present a narrative synthesis of 57 relevant studies to characterise the body of evidence and highlight specific built-environment elements. Our findings demonstrate the need for further conceptual and empirical explorations of the multifaceted ways in which built environments can prevent loneliness, supporting calls for investment into this public-health approach.

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KW - Built environment

KW - Housing

KW - Neighbourhood design

KW - Greenspace

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The impact of the built environment on loneliness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

User-Defined Keywords

UN SDGs

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