Lifecourse Trajectories and Cross-generation Trends in Social Isolation: Findings from Five Successive British Birth Cohort Studies

Abstract

Despite growing concerns in the UK about social isolation, there remains a lack of evidence on the extent and time trends of social isolation from longitudinal, population-based studies. There is also little research that assesses the multiple domains of social isolation across the lifecourse and between generations in a holistic way accounting for different contexts. By applying a multi-context, multiple-domain framework of social isolation to 5 successive British birth cohorts, we provide conceptual and empirical understanding of social isolation trajectories across the lifecourse and identify potential generational and sex differences in trends. Where data were available, comparable social isolation indicators were generated to enable lifecourse trajectories and cross-generation trends to be explored. Information on isolation was available across the following relational contexts: household i.e., living alone; partnership, family and friends outside the household; education and employment networks; and community engagement. Trajectories were modelled stratified by sex using a multilevel growth curve framework. We analysed data from 73,847 individuals (48.5% female), in 5 successive cohorts born in 1946 (N=5,362), 1958 (N=16,742), 1970 (N=16,950), 1989-90 (N=15,562), and 2000-01 (N=19,231). Exploration of a range of social isolation indicators across several contexts provided a nuanced picture of social isolation across the lifecourse and between generations in the UK, with no clear pattern of increased or decreased isolation over time. For example, more people are living alone, less women are out of education and employment in midlife, more people are volunteering, but fewer people regularly engage in religious activity. It therefore highlights the need to focus on a range of social isolation indicators across contexts to understand how people compensate for specific types of isolation, and to understand structural differences in social configurations in the UK, which may not only define the timing and sequencing of life transitions but also social isolation.

Social isolation in mid-life: associations with psychological distress, life satisfaction and self-rated health in two successive British birth cohorts

“…These findings support previous studies that suggest men are more isolated across the lifecourse than females (Umberson et al, 2022;Read et al, 2020), and could indicate that men living alone have reduced positive health behaviours (Berkman et al, 2000). Study members born in the 1970 BCS cohort were also more likely to belong to classes experiencing multiple forms of isolation, supporting previous research that showed an increase in some forms of social isolation over time in the UK (Mansfield et al, 2024).…”

“…In the current study, a lack of frequent contact with friends and relatives outside of the household was defined as less than monthly contact and few study members reported isolation on this domain. In contrast, a lack of community engagement, based on not being a member of a community group or organisation, less than monthly religious activity and a lack of volunteering was highly prevalent in these cohorts (Mansfield et al, 2024). It could be that there is a wellbeing benefit for the minority who regularly engage with their community, but given that not doing so has become normalised, a significant increase in psychological distress is not observed.…”

“…Similarly, cohort members who lived alone reported lower life satisfaction, particularly if they were also out of education and employment. These results only held in the female sample which is important given we know that women's labour market trajectories are complex (Widmer & Ritschard, 2009), with more time out in mid-life (Mansfield et al, 2024). Policies that increase parents' choices around labour market participation should be prioritised, and, for women who are out of education and employment during this life stage, more opportunities for community involvement might improve their overall health.…”

“…Analyses in the current study were stratified by sex given known differences in social isolation experiences between males and females (Mansfield et al, 2024). For example, males were found to be generally more socially isolated in a US longitudinal study based on items relating to romantic relations, friends, family and the community (Umberson et al, 2022).…”