Unravelling the Layers of Chronic Illness and Loneliness: A Social Perspective

Loneliness is one of the most pressing social challenges of the twenty-first century, and its impacts are particularly negative for people with chronic illnesses. This book details the complex and, often overlooked relationship between loneliness and chronic illness. The authors take a social perspective to show how loneliness is shaped by illness experience, life histories, and broader social factors such as stigma, social networks, healthcare systems and social inequalities. Drawing on rich qualitative interviews and centring the voices of people with chronic illness and those who care and support them, the chapters in this book show how loneliness unfolds across everyday lives, relationships, and places. The authors argue that loneliness is not an individual problem to be ’fixed’, calling for inclusive approaches to loneliness grounded in the experiences of those who are most impacted. For researchers, professionals and community members, this book offers powerful insights into what makes social connection meaningful and how we might reimagine support for those living with both chronic illness and loneliness.

Sophie Lewis is Associate Professor of Health Sociology at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Karen Willis is Professor of Public Health at Victoria University, Australia.

Lorraine Smith is Professor of Research Psychology at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Maja Lindegaard Moensted is Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Marika Franklin is Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Leslie Dubbin is Associate Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, USA.

Anne Rogers is Emeritus Professor of Medical Sociology at the University of Southampton, UK.