Loneliness In Old Age Research Articles

Social and physical neighbourhood characteristics and loneliness among older adults: results from the MINDMAP project

BackgroundLoneliness is associated with several adverse mental and physical health outcomes in older adults. Previous studies have shown that a variety of individual-level and perceived area-level characteristics are associated with...

The roles of depression and social relationships in the onset and course of loneliness amongst Nigerian elders.

Few studies in Africa have investigated the risk profile and course of loneliness in old age. This study examined the risk factors for onset and chronicity, as well as the predictors of recovery from loneliness in a large representative sample of community dwelling older Africans. A household multistage probability sample of Nigerians who were 65 years or older was drawn from a geographical area with approximately 25 million population. Loneliness was measured using the 3-item University of California (UCLA) scale in 2007 and annually in 2008 and 2009. Social engagement, social network, and depression were evaluated using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Respondents were also administered the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore for risk factors. Estimates of adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for recovery were derived with the discrete time version of the Cox regression model for time invariant explanatory variables. Of 1704 respondents, 1525 were free of loneliness, using the UCLA scale, in 2007. A total of 209 (18.8%) persons developed new onset of loneliness in 2008 and 2009. Depression (O.R = 2.9, 95% C.I = 1.3-6.7), unmarried status (OR = 2.1, 95% C.I = 1.2-3.9) and social isolation (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.2) independently predicted loneliness onset. Baseline demographic, health, social, and lifestyle factors were not associated with a chronic course of loneliness. The overall recovery rate estimated over two years was 89.5% (95% CI = 75.3-106.4). Being male (HR = 1.3, 95% C.I = 1.0-1.6), ≥80 years (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2-1.8) and having good social engagement at baseline (HR = 1.5, 95% C. = 1.1-2.0) independently predicted recovery from loneliness. Over a 2-year period, nearly one in five community-dwelling Africans developed new onset loneliness in old age, with a similar proportion having a chronic course of the emotional experience. While depression and indices of social isolation at baseline were associated with onset, good social engagement predicted recovery from loneliness.

Loneliness and Social Engagement in Older Adults Based in Lombardy during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Long-Term Effects of a Course on Social Networking Sites Use.

Older adults are less familiar with communication technology, which became essential to maintain social contacts during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study aimed at exploring how older adults, previously trained for Social Networking Sites (SNSs) use, experienced the lockdown period. In the first two weeks of May 2020, telephone surveys were conducted with individuals aged 81–85 years and resident in Abbiategrasso (Milan), who previously participated in a study aimed at evaluating the impact of SNSs use on loneliness in old age (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04242628). We collected information on SNSs use, self-perceived loneliness, and social engagement with family and friends. Interviewed participants were stratified as trained (N = 60) and untrained (N = 70) for SNSs use, based on their attendance to group courses held the previous year as part of the main experimental study. The groups were comparable for sociodemographics and clinical features. Participants trained for SNSs use reported significantly higher usage of SNSs and reduced feeling of being left out. Compared to pre-lockdown levels, individuals trained for SNSs use showed a lighter reduction in social contacts. These findings support the utility of training older adults for SNSs use in order to improve their social inclusion, even in extreme conditions of self-isolation and perceived vulnerability.

Metabolic dysregulation in older adults with depression and loneliness: The ATHLOS study

This study aimed to examine how loneliness contributes to metabolic dysregulation among older adults with depression and determine the relative contribution of loneliness to the development of chronic diseases in late adulthood. Harmonised data from the Ageing Trajectories of Health: Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) project were used. Concretely, the sample comprised 6195 participants (53.95% women; M = 61.30 years, SD = 7.11) from three European cohorts. Three groups were considered: control group (CG); depressive symptom episode group (DEP); and a group with depression and loneliness (DEP + LONE). A metabolic score was estimated using anthropometric and blood indicators, by means of multi-indicator multi-causes (MIMIC) modelling and after controlling for sociodemographic and health-related covariates. Group-comparison was based on measurement-invariance procedures. Multimorbidity development was predicted at follow-up considering the study group and relevant covariates. All the analyses were sex-specific. As a result, measurement invariance revealed the influence of group (ΔCFI = −0.017 for male participants and ΔCFI = −0.009 for female ones) on metabolic scores in both sexes. Metabolic scores were significantly lower (i.e., they had more metabolic risk) in DEP + LONE women in comparison to women from the other groups. DEP men showed the lowest metabolic scores but those from the DEP + LONE group showed meaningfully lower scores than CG men (d = 1.35). In terms of multimorbidity prediction, DEP + LONE group membership significantly predicted the outcome in both sexes; DEP group membership significantly predicted multimorbidity at follow-up in women. In summary, these results highlight the relevant contribution of loneliness in depression-related metabolic dysregulation in the short- (concurrent metabolic risk) and long-term (chronic condition development). Moreover, sex-specific mechanisms seem to be involved in metabolic alterations of depressed people showing loneliness feelings. This study calls for action to reduce the impact of loneliness in old age and to promote healthy ageing.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Loneliness in the Elderly. An Empirical Comparison of Pre-and Peri-Pandemic Loneliness in Community-Dwelling Elderly.

Old-age loneliness is a global problem with many members of the scientific community suspecting increased loneliness in the elderly population during COVID-19 and the associated safety measures. Although hypothesized, a direct comparison of loneliness before and during the pandemic is hard to achieve without a survey of loneliness prior to the pandemic. This study provides a direct comparison of reported loneliness before and during the pandemic using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) on a pre- and a peri-pandemic sample of elderly (60+ years) individuals from Lower Austria, a county of Austria (Europe). Differences on a loneliness index computed from the short De Jong Gierveld scale were found to be significant, evidencing that loneliness in the elderly population had in fact risen slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated safety measures. Although the reported loneliness remained rather low, this result illustrated the effect of the “new normal” under COVID-19. As loneliness is a risk factor for physical and mental illness, this result is important in planning the future handling of the pandemic, as safety measures seem to have a negative impact on loneliness. This work confirms the anticipated increase in loneliness in the elderly population during COVID-19.

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

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.

Soledad en personas mayores de España y México: un análisis comparativo

Se ha encontrado evidencia de que la soledad incrementa la probabilidad de presentar problemas de ansiedad y depresión en personas mayores, razón por la cual se hace importante el estudio de las consecuencias negativas de este fenómeno sobre la salud mental y física de estas personas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la influencia de la soledad en la vejez y en la forma de convivencia de los adultos mayores, así como determinar si existen diferencias en función del grupo cultural analizado (España y México). Para esto, se utilizó un diseño cuantitativo con alcances comparativos, en el que participaron 691 adultos mayores (hombres = 40.2 %, mujeres = 59.8 %) de 60 o más años (M = 71.49, DE = 7.41), residentes de España (42.7 %) o México (57.3 %), seleccionados por medio de un muestreo por conveniencia. Para el análisis, por medio de la aplicación de un apartado sobre datos sociodemográficos y la escala ESTE de soledad ¾que mide los déficits existentes en el soporte del sujeto a nivel familiar, conyugal y social, así como los sentimientos resultantes de tales déficits¾, se procesaron pruebas de hipótesis con el coeficiente c2, el coeficiente de contingencia y la prueba t para muestras independi- entes ¾con un nivel de p ≤ .050¾. Los resultados demostraron que las diferencias culturales según el país de pertenencia tienen peso sobre la prevalencia de situaciones de soledad en el adulto mayor; que en ambas submuestras las características demográficas hacen diferencia en la caracterización de la soledad; y que hay evidencia de una relación entre los factores so- ciodemográficos de las personas mayores y la aparición de la soledad. El estudio subraya la importancia del entorno cultural y de las características demográficas sobre la soledad, elementos que se deben tener en cuenta como factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de soledad en las personas mayores.

Structural Brain Correlates of Loneliness among Older Adults

Ample evidence indicates that loneliness in old age is associated with poor bodily and mental health. However, little is known about structural cerebral correlates of loneliness in healthy older adults. We examined such correlates in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsample of 319 older adults aged 61 to 82 years drawn from the Berlin Aging Study II. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and structural equation modeling (SEM), latent hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine associations of (i) loneliness, (ii) a range of covariates, and (iii) loneliness by covariate interactions with latent brain volume estimates of brain structures known to be involved in processing, expressing, and regulating emotions. Results from whole-brain VBM analyses showed that individuals with higher loneliness scores tended to have smaller gray matter volumes in three clusters comprising (i) the left amygdala/anterior hippocampus, (ii) the left posterior parahippocampus and (iii) the left cerebellum. Significant associations and interactions between loneliness and latent factors for the amygdala and the hippocampus were confirmed with a region-of-interest (ROI)-based approach. These findings suggest that individual differences in loneliness among older adults are correlated with individual differences in the volumes of brain regions that are central to cognitive processing and emotional regulation, also after correcting for confounders such as social network size. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying these associations and their implications.

Predicting loneliness in older age using two measures of loneliness

ABSTRACT Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and this has become a major public health concern for people in later life. In this paper, we propose a machine learning based approach to predict loneliness probability using two gradient boosting algorithms, XGBoost and LightGBM. The predictive models are built using data from a large nationally representative sample from, the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) that had seven successive waves (2002–2015). Two measures of loneliness were applied to investigate the impact of different measure strategies on the prediction of loneliness. The models achieved good performance with a high Area Under Curve (AUC) and a low Logarithmic Loss (LogLoss) on the test data, i.e. AUC (0.88) and LogLoss (0.24) using the single-item direct measure of loneliness, and AUC (0.84) and LogLoss (0.31) using the multi-item indirect measure of loneliness. A wide range of variables were investigated to identify significant risk factors associated with loneliness. Specific categories associated with important variables were also recognized by the models. Such information will further enhance our understanding and knowledge of the causes of loneliness in elderly people.

Loneliness among older European adults: results from the survey of health, aging and retirement in Europe

Previous research has suggested that individuals are mostly prone to loneliness in their later years of life because of exposure to several risk factors typical of old age. The current study aims to examine possible demographic, health and social determinants of loneliness among older adults in Europe. Data on a nationally representative sample of 5074 Europeans aged ≥ 65 years were drawn from the first wave of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, 2004/2005). Frequency of feelings of loneliness was examined according to adverse health conditions, stressful life events and social isolation indicators. Female gender, older age, lower socioeconomic status, living unpartnered, being childless and having no activity involvement were significantly associated with frequent feelings of loneliness (p < 0.001). The proportion of the respondents who declared enduring loneliness most of the time compared with none of the time was significantly higher among Southern Europeans relative to their Northern counterparts (p < 0.001). Recent departure of offspring from the parental nest was a significant predictor of loneliness in both the second (ORs = 2.08; 95% CI 1.24–3.48) and the third (ORs = 1.75; 95% CI 1.03–2.96) multiple regression models. In this sample of older Europeans, several demographic characteristics, specific adverse health conditions, stressful life events and social isolation indicators were associated with feelings of loneliness. Policy initiatives for the alleviation of loneliness in older age should therefore aim at improving psychosocial and health-related difficulties faced by this population.

Efficacy of the I-SOCIAL intervention for loneliness in old age: Lessons from a randomized controlled trial

Loneliness is common among older persons and is associated with adverse health and wellbeing outcomes. We investigated a theory-based intervention that addresses barriers to social contacts and aims at increasing social self-efficacy. Individuals that met pre-assessment criteria of cognitive function, physical health, and loneliness levels were randomly assigned either to the I-SOCIAL intervention that combined both individual and group sessions to address individuals' unique social challenges, or to the control group. Assessment was administered at baseline, after the completion of the intervention, and after a 3-month follow-up period. The intervention group showed significant decline in loneliness level compared to the control group, both after the intervention and after the follow-up period. This innovative combination of analysis of personal barriers, support provided by the counselors, group activities, and individualized suggestions for social activities in the participant's neighborhood, may account for the success of the intervention in decreasing participants' loneliness levels.

"It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone" The Struggle against Loneliness in Old Age: Basic Assumptions for an Integrative Operational Concept –The Israeli Case

The widespread expression saying that "loneliness is the No. 1 enemy of old age" has, in the 21st century, becomes obvious and banal now that suicide rates among the elderly in many countries and in Israel, the case study for this paper, is higher than among other age groups in those countries.Loneliness itself, its ramifications, consequences, and implications on the lives of the elderly have made it a dominant factor in terms of its potential damage.Old age and loneliness have been the subjects of many different definitions, studies and theories, but despite the quantity and quality of these attempts worldwide, and particularly in Israeli research, there is a conspicuous lack of any comprehensive plan that would address the implications and destructive effects of the loneliness experienced by the elderly. Many limited-scale programs exist on a local level, but they fail to address the clear need to eradicate menacing loneliness.The authors of this essay plan to outline basic principles for designing an operational concept for a national plan to combat the consequences and effects of depression among the elderly, using Israel as an example.This paper will begin with a review of the definitions and literature on the phenomenon of depression, and a review of the literature dealing with the unhealthy connection between old age and depression. We will then review various programs worldwide that deal with the phenomenon of loneliness and old age; continue to present data on the effects of loneliness on elderly Israelis; present various Israeli programs and projects that attempt to deal with this phenomenon; and conclude by detailing the proposed principles for a comprehensive operational approach that maps out this painful phenomenon in Israel and proposes a plan of action on how to best deal with it.

"Trapped in an Empty Waiting Room"-The Existential Human Core of Loneliness in Old Age: A Meta-Synthesis.

Loneliness in old age has a negative influence on quality of life, health, and survival. To understand the phenomenon of loneliness in old age, the voices of lonely older adults should be heard. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-synthesis was to synthesize scientific studies of older adults' experiences of loneliness. Eleven qualitative articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and synthesized according to Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnographic approach. The analysis revealed the overriding meaning of the existential human core of loneliness in old age expressed through the metaphor "trapped in an empty waiting room." Four interwoven themes were found: (a) the negative emotions of loneliness, (b) the loss of meaningful interpersonal relationships, (c) the influence of loneliness on self-perception, and (d) the older adults' endeavors to deal with loneliness. The joint contribution of family members, health care providers, and volunteers is necessary to break the vicious circle of loneliness.

Loneliness, socio-economic status and quality of life in old age: the moderating role of housing tenure

ABSTRACTThe study investigated housing tenure as a factor moderating the effects of loneliness and socio-economic status (SES) on quality of life (control and autonomy, pleasure, and self-realisation) over a two-year period for older adults. Data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Study were analysed. Using case-control matching, for each tenant (N = 332) we selected a home-owner (N = 332) of the same age, gender, ethnicity, SES, working status and urban/rural residence. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the impact of SES, housing tenure and loneliness on quality of life over time. Emotional loneliness exerted a significant negative main effect on control and autonomy and pleasure. Tenure and SES influenced control and autonomy, but not pleasure or self-realisation. Tenure moderated the effect of emotional loneliness on control and autonomy, with the negative effect of emotional loneliness weaker for home-owners compared to renters. Tenure moderated the effect of SES on control and autonomy, with the positive impact of SES stronger for home-owners. Findings suggest that owners capitalise on their material and financial resources more than tenants in terms of their quality of life. In addition, home-ownership can act as a protective factor against the harmful effects of emotional loneliness in old age.

Swimming Against the Stream: Non-normative Family Transitions and Loneliness in Later Life Across 12 Nations.

Background and ObjectivesRelatively little research investigated whether experiences during young adulthood have long-lasting consequences for older age loneliness. This article examines whether deviations from culturally based scripts regarding family transitions represent risk factors for later-life loneliness. Moreover, it analyzes whether and in which conditions long-term associations between family transitions and loneliness differ across nations.Research Design and MethodsThe analyses use micro-level data from the Generations and Gender Survey Wave 1 for 12 European countries. The sample comprises 61,082 individuals aged 50–85. The research questions are addressed using a step-wise approach based on linear regression analyses, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions.ResultsResults show that never having lived with a partner and childlessness are most strongly related to later-life loneliness. Whereas early transitions are unrelated to later-life loneliness, the postponement of partnership, and parenthood are associated with higher levels of loneliness compared to having experienced these transitions “on-time”. Childlessness is more strongly associated with later-life loneliness in more traditionalist countries than in less traditionalist ones.Discussion and ImplicationsThis study reveals that individuals with non-normative family transitions are more exposed to loneliness in old age, and that this exposure is related to societal context. In traditionalist contexts, where people rely on families for support, older adults who have experienced non-normative family behavior, and childlessness in particular, may be particularly at risk of loneliness.

Predicting the Prevalence of Loneliness in Old Age Across Small Geographical Areas in England

1. Abstract Objective : This study predicts the prevalence of loneliness among people aged 65 or over across small geographical units in England. Method : It uses spatial two-level mixed-effects logistic regression model on data from a household survey and applies results to census data. Results : There is a huge variation of prevalence of loneliness among older people across England, which cannot be explained by local area characteristics, and are not spatially correlated. Discussion : This is the first attempt to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older people in England for small geographical units. Some limitations: The survey contains one question on loneliness with three categories; more detailed measures could not be used. Missing data could not could not be imputed as it was not possible to rule out non-randomness. Finally, ethnicity and sexual orientation were not included in the models due to data limitations. Public health implications : The method described in this paper can be used to design tailor-made interventions to address loneliness in later life in small geographical areas and to compare differences in prevalence across areas in a state, region or country. 2. Keywords : Loneliness; Local area; Later life

Loneliness in Old Age: Interventions to Curb Loneliness in Long-Term Care Facilities

ABSTRACTPresently there is little analytical research examining practical interventions to address loneliness in long-term aged care. Thus, a review of the literature was conducted to identify and examine the usefulness of current interventions. A broad range of activities were found to benefit lonely residents. Animal-assisted therapy was the most widely implemented strategy and was both appropriate and effective for cognitively impaired and non-impaired residents. Collaborative group approaches to improve cognitive aging were highly beneficial to residents as was indoor gardening, group use of game consoles and increased social contact with family or friends mediated via videoconferencing. Continued innovation and adaptation of practices to provide stimulation and increase social connectedness are needed, in conjunction with rigorous research methodologies, to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of those interventions to reduce loneliness for residents in long-term care facilities.

Long-term predictors of loneliness in old age: results of a 20-year national study

ABSTRACTObjectives: The understanding of social phenomena is enhanced if individuals can be studied over longer periods. Regarding loneliness in old age, there is a general lack of longitudinal research. The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an association between loneliness in old age and social engagement 20 years earlier, as stated by life course theory and the convoy model.Method: Data from the nationally representative Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (2002 and 2011 data collection waves) and the Swedish Level of Living Survey (1981 and 1991 data collection waves) were used. The sample included 823 individuals with an average age of 62.2 years at baseline and 82.4 years at follow-up.Results: Each form of social engagement in old age was significantly associated with the same form of social engagement 20 years earlier. Close forms of social engagement were associated with loneliness in old age; as were more distant forms of social engagement, but only when they were considered solely in old age.Conclusion: Patterns of social engagement in old age were established at least 20 years earlier and close forms of social engagement are long-term predictors of loneliness, although current social engagement tended to be more influential on loneliness. The study underlines the importance of interventions targeted at close relationships that can provide social support in old age.

AFRICAN AMERICANS REPORT LESS LONELINESS THAN WHITE ADULTS IN OLD AGE

Loneliness increases with age and is associated with a two-fold increase in dementia. While loneliness in older White adults has been studied, little is known about loneliness in older African Americans. Older African Americans may show lower rates of loneliness due to greater interpersonal contact within social networks. Here we tested the hypothesis that African Americans would report lower levels of loneliness than demographically-matched older White participants, and that this race difference would interact with cognitive function. One thousand one hundred and eighty participants without dementia (mean age=74.85, mean education=14.46, male/female=265/915, mean MMSE=27.95) from the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) and Minority Aging Research Study (MARS) completed a battery of clinical measures and a series of questions assessing loneliness. In the sample, 590 older nondemented African Americans (mean age=74.81, mean education=14.48, male/female=140/450, mean MMSE=27.51) were demographically matched with 590 older nondemented White participants (mean age=74.88, mean education=14.43, male/female=125/465, mean MMSE=28.38) according to age, education, and sex using propensity score matching procedures. Multiple regression analyses adjusting for the effects of age, education, and sex revealed older African Americans reported less loneliness than White adults (estimate=-0.1336, SE=0.0361, p <0.001). This effect remained significant even after further adjusting for the effects of cognitive function and socioeconomic status (estimate=-0.2158, SE=0.0387, p <0.001). In additional models, loneliness was associated with lower cognitive function (estimate=-0.0542, SE=0.0247, p=0.028); however, there was no evidence observed for a race by loneliness interaction. Older African Americans endorsed lower levels of loneliness than demographically matched older White adults, even after adjusting further for socioeconomic status and cognitive function. Loneliness was associated with lower cognitive function; however, this did not differ by race. More research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms contributing to race differences in loneliness in old age.

Mental health and loneliness in old age.

Researcher Vasiliki Tzouvara will be presenting the results of her study into loneliness among nursing home residents at the RCN international nursing research conference in Edinburgh. She believes more initiatives should be targeted at this population.