Möten över spelplanen: : En studie om brädspel som social intervention mot ensamhet

Sammanfattning

Loneliness is a growing public health concern with serious consequences for both mental and physical wellbeing. This study investigated whether a structured board game intervention could be associated with a change in participants' feelings of loneliness, perceived social competence, general self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. A quantitative longitudinal singlegroup pretest-posttest design was used, with 37 participants taking part in five weekly board game sessions held at Örebro University. Data were collected at three time points using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Perceived Social Competence Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant decreases in loneliness (η²p = .35) and significant increases in general self-efficacy (η²p = .21) and life satisfaction (η²p = .22), all with large effect sizes. No significant change was observed in perceived social competence, although a medium effect size was identified. Mixed ANOVA revealed no significant gender differences in change over time, and exploratory correlation analyses showed no significant associations with boardgame-related variables. Participants reported high acceptability of the intervention. These findings provide preliminary support for structured board game activities as an accessible and low-threshold social intervention to reduce loneliness and promote well-being.