By Catherine Ngo Senior Editor and Content Writer

Loneliness is a universal experience that affects individuals at various stages of life. While men are generally less inclined to discuss their emotions or seek external assistance, longitudinal data research by the University of Melbourne indicates that their work arrangements can significantly contribute to feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness was most prevalent among men in the late 1940s. However, it can occur at other times, often influenced by men’s perceptions of their careers and financial stability. This suggests that workplace dynamics and societal expectations around work play a crucial role in shaping men’s experiences of loneliness.

Measuring Loneliness

To better understand loneliness, an analysis of yearly data collected over 19 years from 12,117 Australian men aged 15 to 98 was part of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey.

Loneliness was evaluated by analysing men’s responses to a question asking whether they agreed with the statement: “I often feel very lonely.” Responses ranged from one (completely disagree) to seven (completely agree). Statistical techniques were used to precisely measuring loneliness and not similar concepts such as social isolation.

Furthermore, methods to determine how much of the men’s loneliness was directly attributable to their social relationships, such as romantic partnerships or friendships, as opposed to other factors in their lives, like their living situation or work arrangements.

The Role of Work in Male Loneliness

Loneliness is a social problem. Research has found that it is linked to men’s social relationships, including romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships. However, we were surprised to discover that work also plays a significant role.

Men who are unemployed or in insecure jobs experience more loneliness than those with stable employment. This is because job loss can impact a person’s identity and limit the social connections that work typically provides. Additionally, unemployment limits income, making it harder to afford social activities. The insecure nature of ‘gig work’ and long hours spent alone, disrupts work-life balance, and can isolate people.

Research suggests that societal expectations can worsen loneliness for some men. We found that men, particularly middle-aged men, who believe they should be household breadwinners, are lonelier than those without this belief.

The traditional perspective on work within heterosexual relationships can be detrimental to social connections. This view, once widely accepted, is now outdated and unrealistic, especially considering the increasing difficulty for many households to survive on a single income. To address male loneliness effectively, it is crucial to enhance men's relationships and adapt to the changing work sector and societal pressures surrounding work.

Rethinking Gender Roles and Stereotypes

Societal norms often place the sole responsibility of household income on men, contributing to feelings of isolation and loneliness. To address this, public awareness campaigns should focus on shifting gender norms and stereotypes. By educating the public, these campaigns can build knowledge and awareness, potentially alleviating loneliness.

Promoting work-life balance for men benefits not only men but also their families and communities. However, achieving such a cultural shift takes time. A more immediate solution, especially for men approaching retirement age, is volunteering. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, opportunities for socialisation, and a chance to give back to the community. Recent data, however, indicates that volunteering has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Government Initiatives to Address Workplace Loneliness

The rise in the gig economy and casualisation of employment provides flexibility but compromises job security. The research indicates that job insecurity and unemployment rates contribute to loneliness in men.

Governments should consider amendments to the Fair Work Act to mitigate these challenges. This would enable the Fair Work Commission to establish fair minimum standards, including access to dispute resolution for “employee-like” workers, such as Uber drivers who work through digital platforms.

Governments can further support men’s wellbeing by ensuring sustained funding for programs like Men’s Sheds and offering opportunities for men to engage in activities that align with their interests, such as working with animals.

Social prescribing, a practice where healthcare professionals connect patients with resources and activities to improve health and reduce loneliness, can also be tailored to involve men in roles that align with their needs and preferences.

Employer’s Role in Reducing Loneliness in the Workplace

Workplaces play a significant role in reducing loneliness among employees. Here are some strategies employers can implement:

1. Create Opportunities for Social Connection: Dedicate time for non-work activities, such as designing office communal spaces to support socialising and relationship-building.

2. Support Remote and Flexible Workers: Foster workplace connections using virtual spaces like online dinners while promoting work-life balance.

3. Cultivate a People-Focused Culture: Build employee autonomy by encouraging decision-making, tolerating mistakes, and providing mentoring opportunities.

The connection between managers and employees is of paramount importance for wellbeing. Managers can mould workplace conditions, highlight positive behaviours, and bolster employees’ knowledge. Despite this, there is a scarcity of interventions specifically targeting this area.