Link workers' and clients' perspectives on how social prescribing offers a social cure for loneliness

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Hayes, S., Sharman, L., McNamara, N. ORCID: 0000-0003-3123-3678 and Dingle, G., 2024. Link workers' and clients' perspectives on how social prescribing offers a social cure for loneliness. Journal of Health Psychology. ISSN 1359-1053 (Forthcoming)

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053241274090

Abstract

Objectives: Social prescribing is a healthcare model designed to reduce loneliness and improve individuals’ health by addressing unmet social needs. The present study adopted the Social Cure framework to provide an understanding of the psychosocial processes involved in helping participants to engage with social activities, from both the link workers’ and clients’ perspectives.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 link workers (Mage = 40.12; 87% female) and 15 clients (Mage = 55.33; 73% female, 7% non-binary) of social prescribing programs across Australia and the transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Breaking Down Barriers, (2) Finding Fit with Others, and (3) Rebuilding a Sense of Self.

Conclusion: These findings communicate how social prescribing addressed the psychosocial barriers of clients, and how joining groups that fostered positive shared social identities resulted in meaningful improvements to clients’ well-being.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

Social cure perspectives on social prescribing

Publication Title:

Journal of Health Psychology

Creators:

Hayes, S., Sharman, L., McNamara, N. and Dingle, G.

Publisher:

SAGE Publications

Date:

11 July 2024