Kall, A;
Shafran, R;
Lindegaard, T;
Bennett, S;
Cooper, Z;
Coughtrey, A;
Andersson, G;
(2020)
A Common Elements Approach to the Development of a Modular Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Chronic Loneliness.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
, 88
(3)
pp. 269-282.
10.1037/ccp0000454.
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Abstract
Background: Loneliness is a transdiagnostic clinical phenomenon that can significantly impact mental health and well-being across the lifespan. Objective: The aim was to combine existing theory and evidence-based treatment approaches to propose a comprehensive transdiagnostic cognitive–behavioral analysis of the maintenance of chronic loneliness relevant across disorders, age groups, and populations. Method: A distillation and matching model-framework approach was taken to identify interventions designed to reduce loneliness. Eligible studies were coded for the presence of practice elements. The findings were combined with an analysis of the broader literature on loneliness and psychopathology to derive a comprehensive cognitive–behavioral analysis of the maintenance of loneliness over time across populations. Results: The search yielded 11 studies containing 14 practice elements with relative frequencies ranging from 7% to 64%. The identified practice elements target putative mechanisms such as negative interpersonal appraisals, anxiety, and social skills deficits. Counterproductive behavior and cognitive processes such as self-focused attention were identified as maintenance factors based on the broader literature. A modular transdiagnostic model with multiple pathways is proposed to be consistent with the existing theoretical and treatment literature. Conclusions: Combining the distillation and matching model framework with existing theory from the literature is a novel approach for developing a model of factors that maintain loneliness over time. The model has varying treatment implications for different populations including children with autism spectrum disorders and bereaved older adults. Targeting transdiagnostic processes has the potential to transform interventions for loneliness across a range of formats and settings.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | A Common Elements Approach to the Development of a Modular Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Chronic Loneliness |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1037/ccp0000454 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000454 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10093411 |
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