| Title: |
Public Health Guidelines for Social Connection:An International Delphi Study |
| Authors: |
Card, Kiffer G; Refol, Jocelle; Hill, Taylor; Benoit, Cecilia; Coplan, Robert J.; Joordens, Steve; Roddick, Charlotte M.; Oliffe, John L.; Dej, Erin; Chen, Frances S.; Pinel, Elizabeth C; Helm, Peter J; Skakoon-Sparling, Shayna |
| Source: |
Card, K G, Refol, J, Hill, T, Benoit, C, Coplan, R J, Joordens, S, Roddick, C M, Oliffe, J L, Dej, E, Chen, F S, Pinel, E C, Helm, P J, Skakoon-Sparling, S 2025, 'Public Health Guidelines for Social Connection : An International Delphi Study', Health Policy , vol. 162, 105452, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105452 |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Discovery - University of Dundee Online Publications |
| Subject Terms: |
Social connection; Public health guidelines; Delphi study; Loneliness; Social isolation; Mental health; /dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2719; name=Health Policy |
| Description: |
Background: Loneliness and social is olation ar e linked to increased morbidity and mortality, with health risks comparable to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition. Promoting social connection has therefore become a global public health priority. Evidence-based guidelines could help raise awareness of the health impacts of dis-connection, shape individual behaviors, and inform community programs and policies. Objective: This study aimed to develop recommended public health guidelines for social connection using a Delphi methodology. Methods: Experts from diverse subfields of Psychology were recruited through networks, nominations, and targeted invitations. In Round 1, open -text response s identified key principles and potential guidelines for individuals and communities. A grounded thematic analysis synthesized these responses into draft guidelines. In subsequent rounds, experts rated their support for each statement. Guidelines with ≥ 8 0 % expert endorsement were refined through focus groups. Results: The final product included 12 guidelines: six for individuals and six for communities. Community guidelines focus on: (1) raising awareness of connection, (2) supporting social -emotional development, (3) prioritizing social health in policy, (4) designing connection-friendly environments, (5) promoting accessibility and inclusion, and (6) measuring social wellbeing. Individual guidelines emphasize: (1) making connection a lifelong priority, (2) cultivating a positive social outlook, (3) building diverse networks, (4) prioritizing meaningful interactions, (5) developing new relationships, and (6) using technology wisely. Conclusions: These expert-informed guidelines may serve as a framework for advancing individual and population-level effort s to strengthen social wellbeing |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0168-8510 |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/41176973; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/0168-8510 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105452 |
| Availability: |
https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/71f94655-9f3f-4120-bd73-d812dd75fd93; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105452; https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/ws/files/165329381/CSCG_Delphi_Manuscript_Revised_Marked.pdf; https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020744572 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.2406DB72 |
| Database: |
BASE |