Department of Sociology

DistantButClose - Methodology

Research Methodology

Introduction

Welcome to the detailed methodology of our research project aimed at investigating the public health impact of loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this pandemic has influenced loneliness and social isolation. Our project explores these issues across various sociodemographic groups, spanning Belgian regions and European countries. This study is structured around five specific objectives, each utilizing various data sources and methodologies to ensure a thorough examination of the multifaceted aspects of loneliness and social isolation.

Objective 1: Public health significance of loneliness and social isolation

Data sources

  • Belgian context: Utilizing the COVID-19 Health Surveys (CHSs) conducted by Sciensano, we analyse data from 11 surveys conducted between April 2020 and July 2022. This dataset includes responses from 20,000 to 40,000 participants aged 18 and above, employing diverse recruitment strategies to ensure a representative sample.
  • European context: The Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement (SHARE) offers a European perspective, covering +/- 80,000 individuals aged 50 years and above across 27 European countries and Israel. Ethically approved and rigorously harmonized, the SHARE provides valuable insights into the impact of the pandemic on an older population.

Objective 2: Short-term and long- term effects of COVID-19 on loneliness and social isolation

Data sources

  • Belgian Context: CHSs data enables us to investigate changes in loneliness, social isolation, and related inequalities throughout the course of the pandemic. Furthermore, we analyse the 2018 and 2023 Belgian Health Interview Surveys (BHIS) to assess persistent effects post-lockdown. The BHIS data collection involves approximately 10,000 respondents per wave.
  • European Context: We utilise both the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) and the Living, Working, and COVID-19 Online Surveys (LWCs). The EQLS includes 37,000 respondents from 33 countries aged 18 and above. The LWCs encompass approximately 87,000 individuals aged 18 years and over, residing in the EU27 Member States. These surveys provide a broader European perspective, with EQLS offering pre-pandemic data and LWCs capturing the evolving situation during the pandemic.

Objective 3: Impact of meso- and macro-level factors on loneliness and social isolation among older adults

Data source

  • We use data from the SHARE surveys focusing on individuals aged 65 and above who participated in the data collection wave pre-pandemic and subsequent waves conducted in the aftermath of the crisis.

Rationale

Analysing individual and contextual factors, this objective delves into the impact of meso- and macro-level factors on loneliness and social isolation among older adults within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by this demographic.

Objective 4: Impact of meso- and macro-level factors loneliness and social isolation among adolescents

Data source

  • We use data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, a global research project examining adolescents' health across about 50 countries. The international sample covers adolescents aged 11-, 13- and 15-years. Unlike the international sample, the Flemish and Federation Wallonia-Brussels component includes a broader age range, covering pupils from primary to secondary school (ages 10 to 20).

Rationale

Analysing individual and contextual factors, this objective delves into the impact of meso- and macro-level factors on loneliness and social isolation among adolescents within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by this demographic.

Objective 5: Policy impact on pandemic loneliness and social isolation.

Focus Groups

To gain an in-depth understanding of policy measures' impact, we organise focus groups with Belgian and international policymakers and other stakeholders. This qualitative approach complements quantitative findings, providing a holistic understanding of the factors influencing loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic.

Conclusion

This methodology outlines our approach to comprehensively investigate the five research objectives of the DistantButClose project. The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, diverse data sources, and a focus on different demographic regions ensures a robust and nuanced understanding of these critical issues. This methodology section will be updated throughout the duration of the project.