B3213 - Loneliness among the Youth An interdisciplinary and cross-national study - 11/12/2018

B number: 
B3213
Principal applicant name: 
Keming Yang | Durham University (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Professor Pamela Qualter
Title of project: 
Loneliness among the Youth: An interdisciplinary and cross-national study
Proposal summary: 

Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling due to undesirable social relations, and it could trigger serious health conditions. Most research on this problem has focused on older people. There is increasing amount of evidence showing that it could be a serious problem among children and young adults as well, but the evidence is not systematic. This study aims to examine the prevalence of loneliness among youth and related risk factors and consequences in the UK. We shall conduct statistical analyses on existing data sets that contain relevant information, including the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We will produce suggestions to schools, charities and government agents for tackling this issue at the completion of this project.

Impact of research: 
Academically, we shall produce a few papers to be firstly presented at conferences of academic associations and then publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals. For the general public, charities, professionals and government agents, we shall hold an impact event to publish our key findings in accessible language. For the youth, parents, and school teachers, we shall organise a summer school to help them understand our findings and work with them to develop strategies for tackling loneliness.
Date proposal received: 
Friday, 23 November, 2018
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 27 November, 2018
Keywords: 
Social Science, Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Mental health, Statistical methods, BMI, Childhood - childcare, childhood adversity, Sex differences, Siblings, Sleep, Social science, Speech and language, Statistical methods, Communication (including non-verbal), Development, Expression, Fathers, Methods - e.g. cross cohort analysis, data mining, mendelian randomisation, etc., Nutrition - breast feeding, diet, Psychology - personality, Physical - activity, fitness, function