Table 2. Summary of Major Research Findings on Social Isolation From Cattan et al. (2005).

Intervention	Characteristics	Effectiveness	Possible Adverse Outcomes
Group peer  support	Targeted specific  groups.	Consistently  demonstrates  effectiveness in  reducing loneliness  and depression and  in increasing social  contact and social  activity level.	Potential to alter  perceptions of  existing support or  to disrupt relations  with family and  friends.
	Allowed participant  input.
	Conducted within an  existing community  organization.
	Many recruited from  within existing  neighborhoods and  communities.
	Often included  discussions of  negative emotions.
One-to-one  support and  service  provision	Involved indirect  contact between the  participant and  others (e.g.,  through e-mail).	Consistently  ineffective at  reducing loneliness  and social  isolation.	Potential for embarrassment or  shame in reporting  that they are  undervalued and  isolated by their  own family  members.
	One-to-one  interventions  conducted in  participants’ homes.