11th April 2023

Researchers meet to talk about loneliness

Ruth Naughton-Doe

In March, researchers from the University of Sheffield, University of York, and University of Edinburgh came together at the Department for Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, to discuss their shared interest in loneliness. The group specifically focused on topics such as parental loneliness, women’s reproductive health, and health inequalities. The session was facilitated by Ruth Naughton-Doe, who organised a zine-making activity that prompted attendees to think about the experiences, causes, and solutions for loneliness. We had a great meeting last week at @SocStudiesShef where academics interested in #loneliness/parental loneliness and women’s health met to share our ideas. We made zines exploring our ideas about the causes of and solutions for loneliness. Thanks to all who came! pic.twitter.com/Ote7UUmUtG— Solutions for Perinatal Loneliness (@Pn_loneliness) March 23, 2023 During the meeting, Sarah Shemery talked about her plans for ethnographic fieldwork exploring support for migrant and refugee expectant mothers in Glasgow, Siyi Wang discussed her research that will explore Chinese women’s experiences of online peer support, and Natalie Wotherspoon shared her interest in understanding the experiences of loneliness in parents of autistic children. Additionally, Charli Colgate shared some findings from her doctoral research that highlights parents with a serious mental illness might feel lonely because they feel ‘different’. During the meeting, attendees shared both their personal experiences and experiences of their research participants. Sarah Salway shared findings from her research that people may feel lonely due to microaggressions including negative interactions from health professionals or in their communities. In the perinatal context, fathers may be ignored by sonographers during ultrasound appointments, or parents with young babies may receive unwelcoming stares in cafes when their baby cries. Although antenatal classes and baby groups may help, they can also make people feel more isolated if they feel different from the other parents there. The group also discussed the challenges that migrants and refugees with young children experience, including isolation due to cultural differences and the individualistic culture of the UK. Covid-19 restrictions have also made it difficult for some new parents to visit family abroad, especially those in China where there are still restrictions. The group agreed that loneliness can lead to a downward spiral, where people are more likely to isolate themselves if they feel lonely, and yet, will only feel lonelier the more isolated they become. To prevent loneliness, ideas included investment in the population and support services, free public transport for all, and designing spaces in communities that that encourage connection. Christina Tatham discussed her asset-mapping activities that have explored how communities work together to overcome barriers faced by parents in marginalised groups, such as refugees. Stephanie Ejegi-Memeh shared her experiences of working with marginalised and minoritised communities to build partnerships for effective research. Offering better paternity and maternity leave, or even a universal three-day week, might help people spend more time supporting each other and helping their communities. The group also discussed “dismantling norms” around motherhood and fatherhood, acknowledging the expectations placed on parents in the UK. Finally, more general acts of kindness or initiating conversation with strangers could help facilitate feelings of everyday social connectedness. Future meetings will continue to focus on shared research interests, including preventing loneliness through public health interventions and community wide approaches to facilitate connection.