Personality traits and the risk of becoming lonely in old age: A 5-year follow-up study

Heidi Ormstad,Grethe Eilertsen,Trond Heir,Leiv Sandvik

doi:10.1186/s12955-020-01303-5

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors. The aim of the present study was to explore to what extent personality traits are associated with the risk of becoming lonely, in women and men aged 60–79 years at baseline.MethodsThe panel data are from The Norwegian study on Life course, Ageing and Generations (NorLAG). Our sample consisted of 516 men and 419 women aged 60–79 years, who were surveyed in both 2002–2003 (baseline) and 2007–2008 (follow-up), and who reported not being lonely at baseline. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between a personality trait and the risk of becoming lonely, with adjustment for age, mental health and living with a partner.ResultsAt follow-up 59 women and 54 men reported loneliness (14.1% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.092). Among women, high agreeableness at baseline was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. Among men, low agreeableness, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism at baseline were significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely.ConclusionsPersonality traits related differently to loneliness depending on gender. These findings may be useful when developing strategies for preventing loneliness in old age.

Highlights

Many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors
In a recent study by Holwerda et al, it was shown that loneliness and depression are important predictors of early death in older adults, and that severe depression is strongly associated with excess mortality in older men who were lonely [14]
Based on growing evidence concerning the detrimental aspects of loneliness, we aim to explore to what extent the five personality traits in the Big Five are associated with the risk of becoming lonely in old age, focusing on a gender perspective

Summary

Introduction

Many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors. In a recent study by Holwerda et al, it was shown that loneliness and depression are important predictors of early death in older adults, and that severe depression is strongly associated with excess mortality in older men who were lonely [14]. They found that the combination of either emotional or social loneliness with severe depression is a lethal combination in men in the long term. Health authorities should develop interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of loneliness

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