Loneliness in the workplace: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems and has gained increasing interest from policy-makers and researchers in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to loneliness at work and its implications for workers and employers.

AIMS

Identify workplace, health and personal factors associated with workplace loneliness.

METHODS

We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and EBSCO Business Source Complete) for relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 to 23 February 2023. Quantitative data were synthesized using narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. Qualitative data were synthesized using thematic synthesis. Evidence quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

We identified 49 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Pooled results indicate that workplace loneliness was associated with lower job performance (r = -0.35, 95% CI -0.49, -0.21), reduced job satisfaction (r = -0.34, 95% CI -0.44, -0.24), worse worker-manager relationship (r = -0.31, 95% CI -0.38, -0.24) and elevated burnout (r = 0.39, 95% CI 0.25, 0.51). Qualitative results suggest links between loneliness and inadequate workplace social interactions and mental health problems. As most studies used cross-sectional data and few adjusted for potential confounders, the direction and robustness of the associations remain untested.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that loneliness is associated with poor occupational functioning and well-being among workers. Results also show that loneliness is associated with modifiable aspects of the work environment, suggesting that the workplace may offer a fruitful avenue for interventions targeting loneliness.

Managers' response to mental health issues among their staff

Background

Many organizations are implementing mental health training for managers to facilitate better communication between managers and employees suffering from mental health problems. Much of this training focuses on improving managers' mental health literacy and reducing stigma. However, it is unclear whether this focus is appropriate or whether other targets, such as improving skills and confidence, should be given greater consideration.

Aims

To test whether knowledge, attitudes and confidence are associated with managers' behavioural responses to mental health issues among their staff.

Methods

Managers from a large Australian fire and rescue service completed a questionnaire addressing their knowledge, attitudes, confidence and behavioural responses when managing employee mental health issues. The relationship was assessed using logistic regression. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

Eighty-five managers responded (response rate 66%). Managers' confidence was the strongest predictor of their behaviour. Managers who felt confident discussing mental health were significantly more likely to make contact with an employee who was suspected to be suffering from a mental illness (OR 15.79, 95% CI 3.03-82.37, P < 0.01) or was on sickness leave for mental health reasons (OR 19.84, 95% CI 2.25-175.15, P < 0.01). Non-stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness also significantly predicted contact with a staff member off work due to mental health problems (OR 5.22, 95% CI 1.21-22.54, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that manager mental health training should focus on building their confidence and reducing stigma in order to have the greatest chance of altering workplace practices.