Study title

Loneliness Barometer 2023

Dataset ID Number

FSD3770

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3770
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3770

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Finnish Red Cross
• Taloustutkimus

Abstract

The survey studied experienced loneliness and opinions on issues related to loneliness in Finland. The survey was carried out by Taloustutkimus on behalf of the Finnish Red Cross.

First, the respondents were asked how often they feel they find company when they want it. They were also asked how strongly they feel this way and how long they had felt this way. The same questions were asked in relation to the statement 'there are people who really understand me'. Next, the respondents were asked how often they experience loneliness, feel isolated from other people and feel left out.

Next, those who had experienced loneliness were asked how long they had been lonely and what they think was the cause of their loneliness. The respondents were further asked where they had sought help for their loneliness. As open questions, the respondents were asked what they had done to alleviate their loneliness and what they would like to see done to reduce it. Finally, they were asked how serious a problem they consider loneliness to be.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, NUTS3 region of residence, education, occupation, household composition and size, ages of children living at home and household's gross annual income.

Keywords

emotional states; interpersonal relations; loneliness; psychological well-being; social interaction; well-being (society)

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• General health and well-being (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Taloustutkimus

Time Period Covered

2023

Collection Dates

2023-01-02 – 2023-01-10

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

People aged 15-84 residing in Finland (excluding the Åland Islands)

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Simple random

The survey has been conducted among respondents aged 15-79 as part of the weekly Telebus Consumer Survey. Interviews with 80-84 year olds (50 respondents) were conducted as a separate telephone interview survey. For both target groups, the sample was randomly selected from the Bisnode Ltd contact register. A total of 1055 respondents completed the survey.

Collection Mode

Telephone interview: Computer-assisted (CATI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

To prevent identification of respondents, the variables containing open-ended responses of the type "other, please specify" were removed from the data at FSD. For the same reason, the number of persons in the household was top-coded and from the variables denoting the ages of the children in the household, the responses from those with more than six persons in the household were removed. From the open-ended variables left in the data, two identifiers related to location and work were removed. Changes made at FSD are marked with [square brackets] in the open-ended variables.

Weighting

The data includes a weight variable (PAINO) that weights the sample by age, gender, area of residence and household size to be representative of the target group.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Finnish Red Cross & Taloustutkimus: Loneliness Barometer 2023 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2024-04-06). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3770

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

Suomen Punainen Risti & Taloustutkimus Oy (2023). Yksinäisyysbarometri 2023. Tutkimusraportti. SPR & Ttu, Helsinki. https://www.punainenristi.fi/globalassets/13.-uutiset/2023/yksinaisyys-koskettaa-yha-useampaa-suomessa/spr_yksinaisyysbarometri_2023_raportti.pdf

Related Publications

Suomen Punainen Risti & Taloustutkimus Oy (2023). Yksinäisyysbarometri 2023. Tutkimusraportti. SPR & Ttu, Helsinki. https://www.punainenristi.fi/globalassets/13.-uutiset/2023/yksinaisyys-koskettaa-yha-useampaa-suomessa/spr_yksinaisyysbarometri_2023_raportti.pdf