Research & Insights for Workplace Wellbeing

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Workplace Isolation, Loneliness and Wellbeing at Work: The Mediating Role of Task Interdependence and Supportive Behaviours

Teresa C. D’Oliveira, Liana Persico

Applied Ergonomics

2023 September

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103894

Elsevier Ltd.

Licence Label: CC BY 4.0

This study explores how workplace isolation and loneliness affect employee wellbeing, and whether job design or social dynamics can reduce their impact. It finds that feeling disconnected from the organisation has a stronger negative effect on wellbeing than isolation from colleagues. Simply increasing interaction through task design does not improve outcomes. Instead, supportive behaviours between colleagues play a key role in improving wellbeing and can even offset the negative effects of isolation and loneliness. The findings highlight that meaningful, supportive relationships, not just more interaction, are central to creating healthier workplace environments.

This research highlights that connection at work is about quality, not just quantity.

  • Feeling disconnected from the organisation has a stronger impact than colleague isolation
  • Increasing interaction alone does not improve wellbeing
  • Task design cannot replace meaningful human connection
  • Supportive behaviours between colleagues significantly improve wellbeing
  • A supportive culture can reduce or offset the effects of isolation and loneliness
  • Workplace relationships need to be meaningful, not just frequent
  • Organisational belonging plays a key role in employee wellbeing
  • Wellbeing is shaped more by culture than structure

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. The original work remains the intellectual property of the authors and publisher. Commentary by The Well Crowd. © The Well Crowd Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved. This content provides a summary and independent commentary on the original research and does not reproduce the original publication. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or medical advice. No part of this content may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission.

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