Comparisons of the discrepancy between loneliness and social isolation across Ireland and Sweden: findings from TILDA and SNAC-K

Abstract

Purpose Loneliness may have different cultural meanings in different countries. This may manifest as differing levels of Social Asymmetry-the discrepancy between loneliness and social isolation. Since loneliness is thought to be low in Sweden relative to more southerly countries, we hypothesised that more number of individuals would also fall into the "discordant robust" category of Social Asymmetry, i.e. that more individuals in Sweden would have lower loneliness levels relative to social isolation than in Ireland. We also explored the clinical relevance of Social Asymmetry in both countries, by examining its association with cognitive functioning. Methods We derived Social Asymmetry metrics in two representative cohort studies: the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). Data pertaining to a dementia-free sample of 4565 Irish participants and 3042 Swedish participants, all aged over 60 years, were analysed using a multilevel modelling approach, with country as a higher-order variable. Results Contrary to the expected, more individuals in Ireland were "discordant robust" than in Sweden. We also found evidence for superior performance in global cognitive functioning among those in the "discordant robust" category relative to those in the discordant susceptible (i.e. those with higher levels of loneliness than social isolation) category, β = 0.61, p < .001, across both countries. Conclusions Irish older adults may be more robust to the impact of social isolation on loneliness than those in the Swedish cohort. Social Asymmetry was related to cognitive functioning in both countries, suggesting that Social Asymmetry is a clinically relevant construct.

Social isolation, social support, and loneliness and their relationship with cognitive health and dementia

“…Kungholmen (SNAC-K) cohorts. 1,49 In both studies, McHugh Power et al reported associations between social health discordance (socially isolated but not lonely) and higher cross-sectional cognitive function, which was consistent with our finding among women. years and over, and did not exclude individuals with serious chronic diseases and (2) our definitions of concordance and discordance varied slightly due to a lack of power.…”

“…years and over, and did not exclude individuals with serious chronic diseases and (2) our definitions of concordance and discordance varied slightly due to a lack of power. 1,49 This could mean that the associations between social health and cognitive health observed at younger ages and/or in less healthy populations are not generalisable to older individuals in relatively good health.…”

“…1,49 McHugh Power et al also reported an association between concordant groups (low and high lonely) and cognition,…”

Expecting the best or fearing the worst: Discrepancies between self‐rated health and frailty in an ageing Irish population

“…In order to establish the discrepancy between an individual’s SRH and FI score, a health asymmetry metric was created – a categorial variable with three categories. This was derived in a similar manner to the derivation of ‘social asymmetry’ metrics (McHugh, Kenny, Lawlor, Steptoe, & Kee, 2017; Power, Sjöberg, Kee, Kenny, & Lawlor, 2019) and to similar metrics used to describe premorbid and cognitive functioning (Benke, 2011; Bondi et al., 2008). Firstly, since SRH ratings and FI scores were not measured on similar scales, both were standardized.…”

Examining the inter-relationships between social isolation and loneliness and their correlates among older British adults before and during the COVID-19 lockdown: evidence from four British longitudinal studies

“…Loneliness arises as a negative feeling associated with the perception of an inadequate quantity and or quality of social relationships (Zavaleta et al, 2017). It can therefore be experienced in the absence of isolation and vice versa, i.e., those who are socially isolated may A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 5 not experience loneliness (Dykstra, 2006;Perlman & Letitia Anne Peplau, 1984;J. E. M. Power et al, 2019) Data from the European Social Survey collected before the pandemic indicated that 8.6 percent of the adult population had frequent feelings of loneliness whereas 20.8 percent were socially isolated (d 'Hombres et al, 2021).…”