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Abstract Objectives The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and social distancing measures adopted worldwide raised questions about the possible health effects of human social isolation. Methods We conducted a systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases using terms related to human social isolation – defined as the isolation of an individual from regular routines and usual social contact – and psychological stress, searching for simulated or naturalistic isolation environments. We present the main results, as well as the validity and limitations of each model. PROSPERO registry number: CRD42021241880. Results Despite the diversity of contexts reviewed, some outcomes almost ubiquitously relate to psychological stress, i.e., longer periods, expectation of a longer period, confinement, lack of social interaction, and support. Based on the results, and considering that most studies were not designed for the purpose of understanding isolation itself, we propose a group of recommendations for future experimental or naturalistic research on the topic. Conclusion Evidence on the impact of different situations in which individuals are subjected to social isolation can assist in development of directed preventive strategies to support people under similar circumstances. Such strategies might increase the general public’s compliance with social distancing as a non-pharmacological intervention for emerging infectious diseases.

The feeling of social connectedness is an extremely important factor for the psychosocial well-being of individuals. Experiencing closeness, belonging, and mutual acknowledgement with the people who are part of the social circle, contributes to the establishment and maintenance of positive and stable relationships over time, as well as numerous benefits regarding the quality of life and mental health of individuals. In order to contribute to the field of study of interpersonal relationships, this study aims to adapt and validate the Social Connectedness Scale for Argentinean adults. The sample consisted of 399 individuals between the ages of 18 and 79 who completed the scale which was previously translated and submitted to expert judges. The results confirmed the one-dimensional structure of the scale, invariant by sex, with good internal consistency (ω = .92). Furthermore, evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was provided through correlations with measures of extroversion (rp=.37) and social anxiety (rp = -.61). It is concluded that the measures provided by the Argentinean version of the social connectedness scale are both valid and reliable to be used in research, as well as in clinical settings in Argentinean population.

Human beings have a fundamental need to belong to groups. That need has a dispositional dimension, as individuals differ on how strong is their motivation to search social connections and how much they value being accepted by others. The Need to Belong Scale (NTBS) is an instrument elaborated to measure such individual dimension of the need to belong. The present research aimed to adapt and collect validity evidence for the NTBS to the Brazilian context. The research was composed of two studies with independent samples. Factor analysis, exploratory and confirmatory, pointed to a unifactor solution with psychometric properties similar to the ones of the original scale, indicating that the NTBS may be adequate for use in the Brazilian context. In convergence analysis the NTBS was positive correlated with an empathy measure. We highlight the need for more studies to define the unifactor structure. We also suggest cross-cultural comparisons concerning the need to belong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capoeira game, in its interlacement of body and language, has historically been performing the communicational dimension of an Afro Brazilian cultural expression. In this paper, we use both culture as communicational perspective (LIMA, 2001) and folkcommunicational perspective (BELTRÃO, 1980) in order to indicate cultural practices in its communicational dimension and potential of social connection (SODRÉ, 2001) in capoeira. The objective is to analyse the constitutive dynamics of the space where capoeira is singularly caracterizes by fighting against “colonial wound” (MIGNOLO, 2007) that historically decharacterizes capoeira practice as an episteme. Thus, the game wich socially connects people is translated as a “decolonialyzing practice” (BORSANI, 2014), in a cultural universe beyond modern occidental and capitalist logic of meanning productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]