The PROMISE-project
In September 2024, the project Prominent Reduction of loneliness among Older Migrants through Interventions and Social Engagement (PROMISE) officially started. This project aims to gain deeper insight into the stigma surrounding loneliness and the various forms and causes of loneliness among older migrants from non-European countries. Together with older migrants and welfare professionals, we generate new knowledge, which is then translated into practical tools. These tools aim to help reach more lonely older migrants and address their loneliness more effectively.
By analyzing data from existing surveys, we study the variation in the underreporting of loneliness among older migrants. Additionally, using innovative qualitative methods, we examine why older migrants find it difficult to talk about loneliness, the contexts in which this occurs, and how their children and the broader community perceive and respond to the stigma and taboo surrounding loneliness.
With these new insights, we are developing a training program for professionals and volunteers. This program equips them to engage more effectively with lonely older migrants. We also identify groups that are at a higher risk of loneliness. For these groups, we create personas and design tailored interventions. Some existing interventions for loneliness are being adapted based on the new knowledge and evaluated for their effectiveness.
The PROMISE-project is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and is a collaborative effort led by Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) in partnership with the University of Groningen (UG), the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Movisie, and Pharos.
