Interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness among men who have sex with men

Key take-home messages

• Social isolation and loneliness are significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the general population.
• A recent study among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men in Vancouver found that 61% of the sample reported some degree of loneliness.
• While there are a number of studies and reviews that focus on loneliness and/or social isolation among older adults in the general population, there appear to be few interventions designed to target loneliness among sexual minority individuals specifically.
• The Friendly Caller Program and Telefriending are telephone buddy programs that target social isolation and loneliness among older adults who identify as a sexual minority.
• Gay Poz Sex, a small-group counselling intervention for gay and bisexual men living with HIV, reported reductions in condomless anal intercourse and reduced mental health problems, including loneliness.
• Interventions targeting minority stress and social anxiety have been found to reduce loneliness among men who have sex with men.

• Determinants of Health
  • Social support
  • Stigma/discrimination
• Population(s)
  • Men who have sex with men
• Prevention
  • Sexual risk behaviour
• Mental Health
  • Depression
  • Other