Austerity, Ageism, and the Rhetoric of Self-reliance: The Policy Drivers and Socio-cultural Attitudes Contributing to the Loneliness Experienced by Older Residents in an Underprivileged Community in South Wales

This article by Ruth Naughton-Doe at the University of York, published in Social Policy and Society, presents research that explored loneliness in an underprivileged community in South Wales, whose perspective supports a growing body of evidence that loneliness amongst older people is driven by wider structural and socio-cultural exclusion.

Highlighting that isolation and loneliness are distinct concepts, the paper aims to further the understanding of the policies and socio-cultural attitudes that lead to increased levels of emotional, social and existential loneliness for older people in deprived communities. 

Also setting out implications for policy and practice, the work presents socio-cultural and structural strategies to overcome loneliness that may complement efforts to encourage social participation. It argues that interventions to build social connections will be more effective if coupled with policies that reverse the reduction in public services (including transport and healthcare), and challenge socio-cultural norms, including a culture of self-reliance and ageism.