July 2026 Monthly Literature Search – Social Isolation
This month’s literature search explores recent research into social isolation and loneliness within older adults. The bibliography below highlights Australian’s loneliness and social isolation statistics within the global context. Research explores how social isolation intersects with health, mental health and wellbeing, and how policy, programs, interventions, and communities have an impact.
Grey literature
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Social isolation and loneliness. ACT Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/health-wellbeing/social-isolation-and-loneliness
- Australian Psychological Society. (2024). Interventions to manage loneliness at an individual and community level. https://psychology.org.au/insights/interventions-to-curb-loneliness
- World Health Organization. (2025). Fostering social connection for global health: The essential role for social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health. https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_R9-en.pdf
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Older Australians: Social support. ACT Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/social-support
- Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2024). Social isolation: Factors, dynamics and effects of isolation for older people. Australian Government. https://aifs.gov.au/all-research/research-snapshots/social-isolation-factors-dynamics-and-effects-isolation-older
Full-text articles
- Block, H., Oster, C., Dawson, S., Gough, C., Crawford, G. B., Boylan, A., Angelo, J., Freeman, M., Milte, R., Exley, H., & George, S. (2026). Prescriptions for Connection-Social Prescribing for Older People in Australia: Protocol for a Feasibility Study. Health Expectations, 29(1).
- Bould, E., Brusco, N. K., & Callaway, L. (2025). Pilot of an animal-assisted activity program to support intergenerational and intercultural community connections to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 59.
- Budak, K. B., Atefi, G., Hoel, V., Laporte Uribe, F., Meiland, F., Teupen, S., Felding, S. A., & Roes, M. (2023). Can technology impact loneliness in dementia? A scoping review on the role of assistive technologies in delivering psychosocial interventions in long-term care. Disability & Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 18(7), 1107-1119.
- Chi, Y. C., Wu, C. L., & Liu, H. T. (2021). Effect of a multi-disciplinary active aging intervention among community elders. Medicine (United States), 100(51), E28314.
- Cryer, S., Henderson-Wilson, C., & Lawson, J. (2021). Pawsitive Connections: The role of Pet Support Programs and pets on the elderly. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 42.
- Hoang, P., King, J. A., Moore, S., Moore, K., Reich, K., Sidhu, H., Tan, C. V., Whaley, C., & McMillan, J. (2022). Interventions Associated With Reduced Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 5(10), e2236676-e2236676.
- Hsu, P.-T., Ho, C.-S., Ho, Y.-F., Chen, J.-J., & Chen, I. J. (2021). The Effects of a Social Participation App on Seniors. Journal of Nursing Research, 29(5).
- Jamieson, S. K., Spencer, W., Robinson, V., McCausland, R., Andersen, M., Macniven, R., Hickey, V., & MacGillivray, P. (2025). A Community-Led Approach to Understanding How Service Providers Can Support 'Ageing well' for Older Aboriginal People in Australia. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 68(4), 509-536.
- Jayakody, D. M. P., Tan, Y. M. E., Livings, I., Costello, L., Flicker, L., & Almeida, O. P. (2022). Australian older adults' views on using social media for reducing social isolation and loneliness in hearing impaired older adults: A community conversation. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 41(4), 585-589.
- Juhl, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Xiong, X., & Zhou, X. (2021). Nostalgia promotes help seeking by fostering social connectedness. Emotion, 21(3), 631-643.
- Lim, M. H., Hennessey, A., Qualter, P., Smith, B. J., Thurston, L., Eres, R., & Holt-Lunstad, J. (2025). The KIND Challenge community intervention to reduce loneliness and social isolation, improve mental health, and neighbourhood relationships: an international randomized controlled trial. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 60(4), 931-942.
- Macdonald, M., Gallant, A., Weeks, L., Delahunty-Pike, A., Moody, E., Iduye, D., Rothfus, M., States, C., Martin-Misener, R., Ignaczak, M., Caruso, J., Simm, J., & Mayo, A. (2024). Long-term care home residents’ experiences with socially assistive technologies and the effectiveness of these technologies: a mixed methods systematic review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 22(8), 1410–1459. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-23-00021
- Michaels, N. N., Dupree, W. E., Simmons, L., Hightower, A., Goode, H., Gunn, M., & Kelley, A. (2026). The Effects of an Aquatic Exercise Program on Participation and Social Isolation in an Active Older Adult Community. Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy, 34(1), 4–10.
- Naseri, C., Hill, A. M., Xu, D., Francis‐Coad, J., Vaz, S., Garswood, L., Meakes, R., Umbella, J., O'Brien, G., Starling, T., & Weselman, T. (2025). What influences older people to join a community hub to engage in healthy ageing programs? An exploratory study. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 44(3).
- Peng, R., Chang, J., Zhu, Y., Feng, H., & Cao, Z. (2026). Unlocking the Power of Peer Support in Digital Use and Digital Health Interventions for Older Adults: A Scoping Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 82(1), 162-173.
- Ruiz-Figueroa, I., Minguela, M. Á., & Munuera, P. (2026). Diverse Digital Responses to Loneliness in Older Adults: A Systematic Review from a Social Work Perspective. Clinical Social Work Journal, 54(2), 224-235.
- Williams, T., Lakhani, A., & Spelten, E. (2024). Exploring the relationship between loneliness and volunteering amongst Australian adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 269-212.