NIDILRR Social Isolation and Loneliness Webinar Series

In 2021, NIDILRR hosted a national series on research related to social isolation and loneliness for people with disabilities. 

October 2021: Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic all of us have experienced the changing nature of social connections, and many of us have gained personal insight into what it means to be socially isolated, lonely, or both. These are not new concepts that have resulted from the pandemic. However, the pandemic has likely made worse our experiences of social isolation and loneliness and challenged our beliefs about who is socially isolated and lonely. NIDILRR grantees Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN, and Scott Beach, PhD, discussed research on social isolation and loneliness among caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 2021: Using the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) to Explore the Experience of Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Rural and Urban People with Disabilities

NIDILRR grantees Dr. Catherine Ipsen and Dr. Gilbert Gimm discussed how barriers to social participation result in social isolation and loneliness for rural and urban people with disabilities. 

August 2021: Never Being Sought After by Anyone for Anything - Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses

NIDILRR-funded researchers Bryan McCormick, PhD, and Mark Salzer, PhD, discussed recent research on social isolation and loneliness among people with serious mental illnesses, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our beliefs about who is socially isolated and lonely. 

July 2021: Social Isolation and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)—Findings from the 50-year SCI Longitudinal Aging Study

The webinar aired on July 8th featured NIDILRR-funded researchers James S. Krause, PhD, and Susan D. Newman, PhD, RN, presenting findings from their longitudinal study of people with SCI with a discussion of social isolation after SCI and discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on issues of loneliness and isolation.