Exploring the effect of loneliness on all-cause mortality: Are there differences between older adults and younger and middle-aged adults?

Lara, Elvira; Moreno-Agostino, Darío; Martín‐María, Natalia; Miret, Marta; Rico-Uribe, Laura Alejandra; Olaya, Beatriz; Cabello, María; Haro, Josep María; Ayuso-Mateos, José Luís

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113087

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…People who are lonely are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart disease (Steptoe et al, 2004, Valtorta et al, 2016), as well as experience cognitive decline and develop dementia (Boss et al, 2015, Donovan et al, 2017, Gerst-Emerson and Jayawardhana, 2015, Kuiper et al, 2015). Loneliness is also associated with increased all-cause mortality risk (Lara et al, 2020, Rico-Uribe et al, 2018). Biological studies of the mechanisms underlying these adverse associations have highlighted inflammatory pathways as one explanation for such findings, with loneliness associated with higher levels of inflammation and impaired immune regulation (Cole et al, 2007, Hackett et al, 2012, Walker et al, 2019), which are in turn associated with chronic stress, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors (Dowlati et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness during lockdown: trajectories and predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 35,712 adults in the UK

Steptoe

Fancourt

2020

Preprint

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There are increasing worries that lockdowns and stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a rise in loneliness, which is recognised as a major public health concern. But profiles of loneliness during the pandemic and risk factors remain unclear. Data from 35,712 UK adults in the UCL COVID -19 Social Study (a panel study collecting data weekly during the pandemic) were analysed from 21/03/2020-03/05/2020. The sample was well-stratified and weighted to population proportions of gender, age, ethnicity, education and geographical location. Growth mixture modelling was used to identify the latent classes of loneliness growth trajectories and their predictors. Analyses revealed four classes, with the baseline loneliness level ranging from low to high. In the first six weeks of lockdown, loneliness levels increased in the highest loneliness group, decreased in the lowest loneliness group, and stayed relatively constant in the middle two groups. Younger adults (OR=2.17-6.81), women (OR=1.59), people with low income (OR=1.3), the economically inactive (OR=1.3-2.04) and people with mental health conditions (OR=5.32) were more likely to be in highest loneliness class relative to the lowest. Further, living with others or in a rural area, and having more close friends or greater social support were protective. Perceived levels of loneliness in the first few weeks of lockdown during COVID-19 were relatively stable in the UK, but for many people these levels were high with no signs of improvement. Results suggest that more efforts are needed to address loneliness, especially amongst young people.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness during lockdown: trajectories and predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 35,712 adults in the UK

Steptoe

Fancourt

2020

Preprint

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“…These factors include age, gender, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Loneliness has closely related with the mental health of both adolescents [ 84 ] and older adults [ 85 ], though older adults are uniquely susceptible to observed relationships between loneliness and increased risks of physical inactivity, cognitive impairment, fatigue, and impaired activities of daily living [ 86 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Long-Term Public Health Impact of Social Distancing on Brain Health: Topical Review

Kumar

Salinas

2021

IJERPH

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Social distancing has been a critical public health measure for the COVID-19 pandemic, yet a long history of research strongly suggests that loneliness and social isolation play a major role in several cognitive health issues. What is the true severity and extent of risks involved and what are potential approaches to balance these competing risks? This review aimed to summarize the neurological context of social isolation and loneliness in population health and the long-term effects of social distancing as it relates to neurocognitive aging, health, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The full scope of the underlying causal mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness in humans remains unclear partly because its study is not amenable to randomized controlled trials; however, there are many detailed experimental and observational studies that may provide a hypothesis-generating theoretical framework to better understand the pathophysiology and underlying neurobiology. To address these challenges and inform future studies, we conducted a topical review of extant literature investigating associations of social isolation and loneliness with relevant biological, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes, and provide recommendations on how to approach the need to fill key knowledge gaps in this important area of research.

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“…Loneliness is closely linked with accelerated loss of physical functioning and health and age (7,8), thus, taking action to counter loneliness is timely and important. Interventions designed to increase long-term PA participation and promote social connectedness (9) may effectively stop or slow mobility loss (10) and diminish loneliness (11)(12)(13). However, interventions that aim to positively promote social connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness among older adults are often grouped with interventions that promote social contact/ reduce isolation (related but distinct concepts) (14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

Franke

Sims‐Gould

Nettlefold

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness.Methods: CTM is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults to understand how CTM facilitated or impeded their PA and social connectedness.Results: PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that further delineates mechanisms (e.g., sharing experiences vs. lectures), that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

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Exploring the effect of loneliness on all-cause mortality: Are there differences between older adults and younger and middle-aged adults?

Cited by 25 publications

References 26 publications

Loneliness during lockdown: trajectories and predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 35,712 adults in the UK

Loneliness during lockdown: trajectories and predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 35,712 adults in the UK

The Long-Term Public Health Impact of Social Distancing on Brain Health: Topical Review

“It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

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