Prevention of feelings of loneliness in persons with disability

Introduction. Feelings of loneliness are widespread among the population. The main factors contributing to this feeling include disability, old age, living alone, lack of family, close relatives, and friends, infrequent social contact, and illness.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the current state and potential use of online resources to prevent loneliness in individuals with disabilities.

Materials and methods. Seven hundred thirty two respondents were recruited for the 2024 sociological study, including 100 individuals with disabilities who completed a questionnaire and the Russell and Ferguson Diagnostic Test. Focus groups with six specialists were used to examine the potential use of online resources to prevent loneliness in individuals with disabilities.

Results. The feeling of loneliness occurs in almost all persons with disability, the degree of which largely was established to depend on the disability group. The emergence of a feeling of loneliness in persons with disability is related with poor health, low financial security, insufficient communication with people, etc. To distract themselves from the feeling of loneliness, most persons with disability study Internet resources, watch feature films, listen to music, work, take into account their health and age, walk, etc. Involving persons with disability in the development of Internet resources contributes to their social adaptation, self-development, obtaining a new specialty and employment, which in turn reduces their feeling of loneliness.

Research limitations. The study involved citizens living in Moscow and the Moscow region, and therefore the conclusions substantiated in the article can be extrapolated to residents of the Moscow region.

Conclusion. The use of Internet resources by persons with disability everyday activities is an important area of ​​​​preventing their feelings of loneliness.

Compliance with ethical standards. All patients and interviewed specialists signed informed consent to participate in this study. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Research Institute for Healthcare Organization and Medical Management of Moscow Healthcare Department (protocol dated September 2, 2024 No. 09-01/EK/2024).

Contribution of the authors:
Tregubov V.N. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting and processing the material, editing;
Adamia A.V. — collecting and processing the material, statistical processing of the data, writing the text, compiling the list of references.
All co-authors — approved the final version of the article, responsible for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: April 14, 2025 / Accepted: December 17, 2025 / Published: March 4, 2026