Bryan, Bridget T, Andrews, Georgia, Thompson, Katherine N, Qualter, Pamela, Matthews, Timothy ORCID: 0000-0001-9955-6524 and Arseneault, Louise (2023) Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational Medicine, 73 (9). pp. 557-567. ISSN 0962-7480 (Print), 1471-8405 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqad138)

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Abstract

Background. Loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems and has gained increasing interest from policymakers and researchers in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to loneliness at work, and its implications for workers and employers.
Aims. Identify workplace, health, and personal factors associated with workplace loneliness.
Methods. We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, EBSCO Business Source Complete) for relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 – 23 February 2023. Quantitative data were synthesised using narrative synthesis and random effects meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. Qualitative data were synthesised using thematic synthesis. Evidence quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool.
Results. We identified 48 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Pooled results indicate that workplace loneliness was associated with lower job performance (r = -0.35, 95% CI = -0.49, -0.21), reduced job satisfaction (r = -0.34, 95% CI = -0.44, -0.24), worse worker-manager relationship (r = -0.31, 95% CI = -0.38, -0.24) and elevated burnout (r = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.51). Qualitative results suggest links between loneliness and inadequate workplace social interactions and mental health problems. As most studies used cross-sectional data and few adjusted for potential confounders, the direction and robustness of the associations remain untested.
Conclusions. Our results indicate that loneliness is associated with poor occupational functioning and wellbeing among workers. Results also show that loneliness is associated with modifiable aspects of the work environment, suggesting that the workplace may offer a fruitful avenue for interventions targeting loneliness.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mental health; loneliness; meta-analysis; burnout; job performance; job satisfaction
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Mental Health Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 15:04
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/44934

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