The relationship between living alone, loneliness and social isolation, and how they are associated with health remain contentious. We sought to explore typologies based on shared experiences of ...loneliness, social isolation and living alone using Latent Class Analysis and determine how these groups may differ in terms of their physical and mental health. We used Wave 7 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 7,032; mean age = 67.3) and responses to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale, household composition, participation in social/societal activities plus frequency of contact with friends, family and relatives for the Latent Class Analysis. The optimal number of groups was identified using model-fit criteria. The socio-demographic characteristics of groups and health outcomes were explored using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. We identified a six-cluster typology: Group 1, no loneliness or isolation; Group 2, moderate loneliness; Group 3, living alone; Group 4, moderate isolation; Group 5, moderate loneliness, living alone; and Group 6, high loneliness, moderate isolation (with high likelihood of living alone). Groups experiencing loneliness and/or isolation were more likely to report poorer physical and mental health even after adjusting for socio-demographic confounders, this was particularly notable for Group 6. Our results indicate that different typologies of living alone, loneliness and isolation can be identified using data-driven techniques, and can be differentiated by the number and severity of issues they experience.
Abstract
Objectives
To examine the effect of perceived loneliness on the development of dementia (all-cause), Alzheimer´s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD).
Method
The study comprised 1,905 ...nondemented participants at baseline, drawn from the longitudinal Betula study in Sweden, with a follow-up time of up to 20 years (mean 11.1 years). Loneliness was measured with a single question: “Do you often feel lonely?”.
Results
During the follow-up, 428 developed dementia; 221 had AD, 157 had VaD, and 50 had dementia of other subtypes. The entire dementia group is denoted “all-cause dementia.” Cox regression models, adjusted for age, gender, and a baseline report of perceived loneliness, showed increased risk of all-cause dementia (hazard ratio HR = 1.46, 95% confidence interval CI 1.14–1.89), and AD (HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.20–2.37), but not VaD (HR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.87–2.08). After adjusting for a range of potential confounders, and excluding participants with dementia onset within the first 5 years of baseline (to consider the possibility of reverse causality), the increased risk for the development of all-cause dementia and AD still remained significant (HR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.01–2.25 for all-cause dementia; HR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.44–4.36 for AD).
Discussion
The results suggest that perceived loneliness is an important risk factor for all-cause dementia and especially for AD, but not for VaD. These results underscore the importance of paying attention to subjective reports of loneliness among the elderly adults and identifying potential intervention strategies that can reduce loneliness.
This study aimed to explore the efficacy of group reminiscence therapy based on Chinese traditional festival activities (CTFA-GRT) to mediate the loneliness and perceived stress of older adults ...living alone in rural China. The results can provide a scientific foundation for improving psychological health.
A randomized controlled trial of 64 (aged 65.70 ± 3.69 years) Chinese rural older adults living alone was conducted. They were randomly divided into either an eight-month intervention group or a control group. The perceived stress scale (PSS) and the UCLA loneliness scale (UCLA-LS) evaluated the perceived stress and loneliness of the two groups at three different times. A repeated-measures analysis of variance model was used to compare each outcome measure of the two groups.
The CTFA-GRT yielded a benefit for the perceived stress and loneliness of rural older adults living alone in the intervention group. Combined with a simple effects test, the PSS and UCLA-LS of those in the intervention groups significantly decreased at eight months after the baseline (F
PSS
= 23.540, F
UCLA-LS
= 40.159; all P < 0.01). In addition, the sustainable effect of this program lasted three months after the intervention (F
PSS
= 65.756, F
UCLA-LS
= 60.983; all P < 0.01).
The CTFA-GRT significantly decreased the perceived stress and loneliness of rural older adults living alone in China.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Prior research in non-U.S. samples has found a complex nonlinear relationship between loneliness and age. This research has shown that established predictors of loneliness—poor health, being ...unmarried, living alone, and having infrequent social interactions—help to explain age differences in loneliness. However, while some variables were found to be universal predictors of loneliness at all ages, others were relevant in specific age groups only. In this study, we describe age differences in frequency of loneliness from age 18 to 89+ years in the U.S. and examine age differences in predictors of loneliness from age-specificity and age-normative perspectives. We used cross-sectional nationally representative data from the General Social Survey (N = 2,477) and found a nonlinear relationship between age and loneliness that closely resembles prior research. However, we found no evidence for age-specific predictors of loneliness. Household income, household size, marital status, health, and frequency of socializing were “universal” predictors of loneliness; their associations with loneliness did not differ in strength with age. Our hypothesis that individuals who deviated from age-specific norms would experience more intense loneliness was not supported. Implications for research and loneliness interventions are discussed.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments issued movement restrictions and placed areas into quarantine to combat the spread of the disease. In addition, individuals were ...encouraged to adopt personal health measures such as social isolation. Information regarding the disease and recommended avoidance measures were distributed through a variety of channels including social media, news websites, and emails. Previous research suggests that the vast amount of available information can be confusing, potentially resulting in overconcern and information overload.
This study investigates the impact of online information on the individual-level intention to voluntarily self-isolate during the pandemic. Using the protection-motivation theory as a framework, we propose a model outlining the effects of cyberchondria and information overload on individuals' perceptions and motivations.
To test the proposed model, we collected data with an online survey (N=225) and analyzed it using partial least square-structural equation modeling. The effects of social media and living situation were tested through multigroup analysis.
Cyberchondria and information overload had a significant impact on individuals' threat and coping perceptions, and through them on self-isolation intention. Among the appraisal constructs, perceived severity (P=.002) and self-efficacy (P=.003) positively impacted self-isolation intention, while response cost (P<.001) affected the intention negatively. Cyberchondria (P=.003) and information overload (P=.003) indirectly affected self-isolation intention through the aforementioned perceptions. Using social media as an information source increased both cyberchondria and information overload. No differences in perceptions were found between people living alone and those living with their families.
During COVID-19, frequent use of social media contributed to information overload and overconcern among individuals. To boost individuals' motivation to adopt preventive measures such as self-isolation, actions should focus on lowering individuals' perceived response costs in addition to informing them about the severity of the situation.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Social frailty is a common condition in older people, but its consequences are largely unknown. Therefore, in this longitudinal analysis, we aimed to investigate the association between social ...frailty and risk of all-cause mortality in a large sample of older people.
Longitudinal, cohort.
Older people participating to the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).
Social frailty was defined based on financial difficulty, household status, social activity, and contacts with other people: social frailty was defined as ≥2 points, social pre-frailty (1 point), and robustness (0 points). Survival status during ten years of follow-up was assessed using administrative data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) of the association between social frailty status and all-cause mortality.
At baseline, compared to social robust participants, social frail subjects reported a significant higher presence of potential risk factors for all-cause mortality. During the ten years of follow-up, after adjusting for 10 potential confounders, social frailty at baseline (vs. robustness) was associated with a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 1.31; 95 % CI: 1.04–1.64; p = 0.02), whilst social pre-frail was not. Among the single factors contributing to social frailty, poverty increased the risk of all-cause mortality by approximately 60 % (HR = 1.60; 95 % CI: 1.33–1.93; p < 0.0001) as well as living alone (HR = 1.46; 95 % CI: 1.10–1.94; p = 0.009).
Social frailty was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in a large cohort of older people, highlighting the importance of identifying this phenomenon in older adults to inform targeted intervention efforts.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This article is a personal reflection of how the current COVID‐19 pandemic affects our working lives and wellbeing, as single female academics who live alone in the UK. We offer a dialogue of our ...daily lives of being confined at home with lockdown measures extended. In particular, we focus on the experience of, and coping with, isolation and loneliness. Is isolation making us more socially connected? Through ‘virtual’ working and changing learning environments for us as teachers and learners, we explore changes in our working life and subsequent changes in the domestic environment. By capturing our lived experiences, we create an intellectual and safe space to voice our emotional struggles — as ‘invisible’ isolated individuals containing and consuming loneliness on our own. We foster alternative conversations as to how we might engender new perspectives from single female academics to combat social isolation in the workplace.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Little is known about the collective patterns of health-related behaviors of older adults living alone. We aimed to identify subgroups of older adults living alone based on their health lifestyle and ...examine the relationship between these subgroups and sociodemographic characteristics, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms.
A total of 3137 older adults living alone were sampled from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Latent class analysis was performed using 11 health-related behaviors: smoking; alcohol consumption; fruit, vegetable, and dairy product consumption; exercise; cultural leisure; social groups; educational activities; health check-ups; and dementia screening. Multinomial logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.
Three classes were identified: Consistently Healthy (CH), Moderately Healthy but Inactive (MHI), and Unhealthy but Active (UA). Compared to the CH, members of the MHI tend to have no formal education and rarely meet relatives. Members of the UA were more likely to be male and employed. The MHI and UA were more likely to have lower incomes, meet with children less frequently or have no children, and rarely meet friends, neighbors, and acquaintances when compared to the CH. Members of the UA group had the highest risk of reduced life satisfaction and increased depressive symptoms.
The cross-sectional design precluded causal inferences.
Our study sheds light on the heterogeneity of health lifestyles among older adults living alone and highlights the need for tailored interventions to promote healthy aging in this population.
•There was heterogeneity in health lifestyles among older adults living alone.•Three groups were identified by performing latent class analysis.•Life satisfaction and depressive symptoms differ greatly among the three groups.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Social isolation is a potentially reversible risk factor for suicide.
A matched case control study design was used. The study population was from England and identified from an electronic primary ...case database with linkage to a secondary care database and Office for National Statistics mortality data. Cases were individuals who had been recorded as dying by suicide. Controls were randomly selected, matched by primary care centre and date of suicide mortality.
Data were available from 14,515 cases who died from suicide and 580,159 controls. After adjustment for age and sex, the risk of suicide in individuals who had previously been reported to be either living alone or suffering loneliness was increased (Odds ratio OR 4.9; 95 % confidence intervals CI: 4.4 to 5.5). Age affected the level of this risk, with individuals aged 15 to 34 years who were lonely or lived alone having a much higher risk of suicide (OR 16.4; 95 % CI: 8.7 to 31.1).
We can demonstrate an association between loneliness and living alone, but this may not be a causal effect. The conclusions may not be generalisable to societies outside the UK.
Loneliness and social isolation are associated with an approximately five-fold increase in risk of mortality from suicide, which was substantially higher in younger adults. These represent potentially reversible risk factors for suicide mortality and may also help identify individuals who are at a higher risk of suicide.
•Loneliness and social isolation are associated with an approximately five-fold increase in risk of mortality from suicide.•These associations were much higher in younger individuals.•These may help identify individuals who are at a higher risk of suicide.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 94(1) of American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (see record 2024-54394-001). In the article (https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000667), the ...title was corrected to “Alone in the Shadow of Terror: Coping Strategies and Internal Resources of Older Adults Living Alone in a Continuous Traumatic Situation” because the word “coping” was omitted during the composition of the article. The online version of this article has been corrected. Continuous traumatic situations (CTS) caused by prolonged exposure to terrorist threat can harm individuals’ mental and physical health. For older adults living alone in CTS, this risk joins the challenges of aging and loneliness, creating a triple vulnerability. No previous research has explored this particular vulnerability and specifically addressed the coping strategies and internal resources used by older adults to manage these stressful circumstances. The present study aimed to fill this lacuna, by exploring how older adults living alone in CTS cope with these challenges and the internal resources that help them do so. In-depth interviews with 15 persons aged 65 + years living alone in Sderot, an Israeli city exposed to a continuous terror threat, were conducted and analyzed thematically. Participants described various coping strategies. Some are deployed at the psychological level: positive thinking, deliberate disengagement, perception of being alone as an advantage, and social comparison; others have behavioral implications: acknowledging reality and dealing with it and “turning it into an engine.” Participants also identified four internal resources that helped them cope: functional independence, faith, character traits, and previous experience with stressful life events. Participants coped with the difficulties of living alone in CTS actively and creatively, relying on various psychological and functional resources. The findings support theories that emphasize older adults’ resilience and ability to cope with stress and trauma, suggesting ways to strengthen the resilience of older adults facing CTS, particularly those living alone. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
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CEKLJ, FFLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PEFLJ, UPUK
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