Table 3.

Summary of themes and findings

Theme	Examples of Potential Factors/Mechanisms
Prevalence of Si/L	Positive – prevalence of Si/L, but lower than urban places. Negative – Urban areas were less lonely.
Rural focused research	Positive – the popularity of volunteering kept older rural residents connected to others during the pandemic. Negative – older adults who are caregivers are often more socially isolated than their peers, which leads to feelings of loneliness.
Rural/urban comparative studies	Positive – the close-knit social ties in rural places left older adults less socially isolated and lonely than those in urban centres. Negative – older adults in rural areas who have ceased driving found themselves more socially isolated and lonely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology and other interventions	Positive – rural dwelling older adults were quick to adapt to digital technologies to maintain contact with family and friends. Negative – the digital infrastructure was often seen to be lacking in rural places, which limited online connectivity.