Differences across our six groupsDivorced/separated – Lack of trust brought Although most causes of loneliness were on by feeling ‘betrayed’ by a partner prompted common across groups, unique drivers of participants in this group to approach new loneliness also emerged. Below we outline encounters with apprehension and anxiety. some of the key drivers of loneliness raised by Losing a partner also meant for many the loss of participants in each of the six groups.certain knowledge and skills. For example, some said that their partner had handled the finances Young new mums – Participants noted that and home care, and after the relationship broke even where their initial social connections were down the participant had to learn how to take strong, either before or shortly after the birth of on these responsibilities. Or, the partner played their baby, they had experienced diminishing a leading role in establishing and maintaining support from friends and family as the months social connections with others and without them went on. For those with a strong existing support the participant not only lost those relationships network, the influx of attention and support was but had to learn social skills. This was often an followed by increasingly fewer encounters, as the intimidating task for people. ‘novelty’ of the new baby wore off. The high cost “I found it really hard being on my own again; of childcare reinforced the identity of the young you think going to a party and other occasions mum as a mum because they could not afford a by yourself is a big thing’.” childminder while they went out. And, as noted (Divorced/separated, Female, Scotland, 35-54) above, some perceived judgement from older mums and others in their community about the choices they had made to have children ‘early’.Empty nesters/retirees – The blank canvas of each day was particularly jarring for this group; “A label given to me as a young mum created a divide between me and other older mums there was now a lot of free time that needed to be filled. For some, this time began to be filled as I always felt they looked down on me and this lead to conversations being very brief.” with ruminations and worries about all the things they had been too distracted by work or childcare (Young new mum, Belfast, 18-24) to give much thought to. The massive disruption Recently bereaved – bereavement brings a for retirees, of no longer having a job to take up very particular type of disruption; not only have most of their time, meant a lack of structure and you lost a very important relationship but also all purpose for each day. of the connections that came with that individual “There’s only so much decorating you can who has passed away are gone. Experiencing do – I’m just scratching around for things grief (being in a more vulnerable and anxious to do now.” state after the loss of a loved one) resulted in (Retired/empty nester, Male, Oldham, 55-74) participants isolating themselves, then realising that relationships had fallen away during their mourning period. Time-limited support, much the Mobility and health issues – Strong concerns same as for young new mums, was raised as an about being dependent on others and not issue, with participants noting that their support wanting to be a burden was a key barrier to networks ‘lost interest’ or thinking that ‘enough engagement for those with mobility and health time has passed, you need to move on.’issues. The physical toll of connecting with other “The time when I actually needed distraction people like getting to or engaging with activities and support, however, came much later dissuaded participants from connecting. The when everything had calmed down. But at weighing up of the physical, emotional and this point, when I could feel more up to mental costs of connecting were described as talking or going out, most people had resulting in the belief that the costs outweigh moved on with their own lives.” the benefits of connecting. (Bereaved, Male, Belfast, 18-34) What causes loneliness, and how can it become chronic? 29