Some of the ways in which researchers have tried to combat loneliness include these four modes ( Masi , Chen , Hawkley , & Cacioppo , 2010 ):
Social Skill Enhancement — teaching people how to interact and be more effective in social settings
Social Support Enhancement — scheduling interactions and arranging social connection
Social Contact Increase — facilitating additional opportunities for social interaction
solution in-sight
Fig 9
“ The most effective method for combating loneliness wasn ’ t found to be related to enhanced social skills or increased social connection opportunities ; the most effective way to combat loneliness is to change our thoughts about social situations and social interaction ” ( Suzanne Degges-White , Ph . D ., is a licensed counsellor and professor at Northern Illinois University )
Changing Beliefs About Social Interactions or Support
( Thomas , I . Research Portfolio , 2020 )
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