[Towards a more focused approach to loneliness: Seven active elements in loneliness interventions]. / Naar een gerichtere aanpak van eenzaamheid: Zeven werkzame elementen in eenzaamheidsinterventies.

Over the years, a wide range of loneliness interventions for older adults have been developed. The majority of these interventions are not effective in reducing loneliness. In order to gain more insight into why many interventions do not achieve the desired goal, we examine active elements that are used in interventions into reduce loneliness. In order to achieve this goal, intermediate goals are needed: to have a social network, a sense of belonging, to experience intimacy, to experience meaning. In order to arrive at a division into active elements, a qualitative analysis was carried out of 119 loneliness interventions, described in 22 reviews of interventions. The result is a division into seven active elements: 'activities', 'meeting others', practical support', 'meaningful contact', 'interpersonal skills', 'realistic expectations' and 'meaningful role'. Most interventions combine several active elements. Some combinations of active elements are common. By mapping out the individual components of interventions, the effectiveness of each element can be evaluated. The use of a combination of active elements, and of general active elements such as good execution, may increase the effectiveness of interventions.

Does stimulating various coping strategies alleviate loneliness? Results from an online friendship enrichment program.

Loneliness stems from a mismatch between the social relationships one has and those one desires. Loneliness often has severe consequences for individuals and society. Recently, an online adaptation of the friendship enrichment program (FEP) was developed and tested to gain insight in its contribution to the alleviation of loneliness. Three loneliness coping strategies are introduced during the program: network development, adapting relationship standards, and reducing the importance of the discrepancy between actual and desired relationships. Data were collected among 239 participants aged 50-86. Loneliness was measured four times using a multi-item scale, and on various days with a single, direct question. Loneliness assessed with the scale declined during and after the program. Scores on loneliness assessed for a specific day, however, are more ambiguous. Despite the immediate positive effect of conducting assignments, we did not observe a decline in the single loneliness item score over the course of the program. The online FEP seems to reduce loneliness in general, but these effects are not visible on today's loneliness. Nevertheless, the online intervention to reduce loneliness is a valuable new contribution to the collection of loneliness interventions.