key: cord-0949716-1uxqpv7f
authors: Aleman, André; Sommer, Iris
title: The silent danger of social distancing
date: 2020-07-06
journal: Psychological medicine
DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002597
sha: 733123de9d0cb0a0d872a541580e15b25f39ff67
doc_id: 949716
cord_uid: 1uxqpv7f

nan

general health policy in these times of social distancing. Gardiner, Geldenhuys, and Gott (2018) identified several effective interventions to reduce loneliness including befriending, development of leisure time skills, health or social care interventions, pet programs, psychotherapy and social facilitation programs. Interestingly, solitary interventions involving video conferencing or providing pets, were also effective, which are feasible solutions even during strict quarantine. For example, a study investigated efficacy of an internet training intervention for community-dwelling older people who lived alone, who were housebound through chronic illness or physical disability At the three-year follow-up, intervention group participants reported a significantly greater reduction in overall loneliness in comparison with the control group. This supports the strategy proposed by the Commonwealth Fund, to screen for social isolation and foster digital support by expanding access to telehealth (https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/howcovid-19-pandemic-could-increase-social-isolation-and-how-providers-and-policymakers).

In conclusion, social distancing to avoid further spreading of Covid-19 comes with a price. Loneliness reduces quality of life and increases mortality; hence, social distancing rules should be kept as short as possible. Individuals living alone should be considered a priority group to return to work. Finding flexible ways to allow certain forms of face-to-face interaction, e.g. meeting relatives outside and with 1.5 m distance, will reduce risks of loneliness and its adverse effects. Ultimately, preventive strategies to reduce loneliness will benefit those concerned significantly, both in terms of somatic health as well as mental health.

Financial support. No funding was involved for this note.

Conflict of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical standards. No ethical permission was needed for this clinical note.

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