NELO

Project description

The NELO-project investigates loneliness among bereaved older adults. Loneliness is linked to cognitive decline, reduced health, and social exclusion, but little is known about the influence of neighbourhood characteristics on the different forms of loneliness (emotional, social, existential) after bereavement. NELO therefore brings together insights from the literature on loneliness, bereavement, and environmental gerontology, and examines how neighbourhood characteristics moderate the relationship between bereavement and loneliness.

It addresses two research gaps:

1. Distinguishing between forms of loneliness. These forms each have their own triggers and outcomes, but their relationship with bereavement has never been examined.
2. The role of the neighbourhood. Existing loneliness theories focus mainly on individual factors. NELO adds neighbourhood factors to this, both social (such as cohesion) and physical (such as third places).

The research uses a mixed-methods design: survey data is combined with qualitative case studies, including life story focus groups and walk-along interviews. Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) strengthen the analyses and support causal interpretations. The findings are brought together through a systematic "follow-a-thread" strategy.

The expected results include a NELO-model that offers theoretical insight into loneliness after bereavement. This model will serve as a foundation for place-based interventions and policies on age-friendly neighbourhoods, thereby contributing to healthy ageing and the quality of life of older adults after bereavement.

Keywords

Loneliness, older adults, neighbourhood characteristics

Partners

• Liesbeth De Donder en Eva Dierickx, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Jelle Van Cauwenbergh, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
• Joachim Cohen, End-of-life Care Research Group

Contact person

Liesbeth De Donder - Liesbeth.de.donder@vub.be