ABSTRACT
Throughout the previous chapter we have referred to the health sustaining qualities of social interaction. There has accumulated over recent years a vast quantity of evidence attesting to this effect, and various theories have been proposed to explain how it occurs. However, there is still much debate on whether the link is strong enough to justify developing treatment programmes to help the lonely. Of course, the simple fact that loneliness is usually an unpleasant experience, justifies the investment of some effort in helping people overcome it. Nevertheless, in deciding priorities, it is important to know whether help is simply reducing discomfort, or having a significant effect on their health.
