Social isolation as a new form of social vulnerability in the context of contemporary crises: challenges for social work

Анотація

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical substantiation and empirical verification of the phenomenon of social isolation as a specific form of “new social vulnerability”. The author argues that in the context of modern systemic crises – the COVID-19 pandemic, the full-scale war in Ukraine, and total – digitalization vulnerability is transforming from a purely economic deficit into a rigid structural barrier. This barrier is caused by the deep erosion of social capital, the destruction of established horizontal ties, and digital exclusion, which effectively pushes the individual into a vacuum of support. Based on the results of a pilot study (n = 48) conducted in 2026, a high level of latent isolation was identified among the most vulnerable categories: internally displaced persons (46 %), the elderly, and people with disabilities. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of “invisible clients” – individuals who have an objective need for help but do not turn to social services due to a state of learned helplessness and digital barriers. It was established that 32 % of respondents refuse to seek support even when the need exists, confirming the latent nature of modern vulnerability. The study proves that the traditional reactive model of social work, based on the application principle, is ineffective for identifying such groups. Therefore, the necessity of a paradigm shift is substantiated: a transition to a proactive outreach strategy. This strategy involves the active identification of isolated individuals using mobile teams, cooperation with volunteer networks, and the reintegration of social capital through micro-group interaction and digital inclusion. The practical significance of the work lies in developing tools to restore individual agency and strengthen community social cohesion during the war and post-war periods. Keywords: social isolation, social vulnerability, social work, social capital, digital exclusion, internally displaced persons, outreach strategy, learned helplessness, social inclusion.

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