Loneliness among older adults in the Czech Republic: A socio-demographic, health, and psychosocial profile

Longitudinal changes in mental health following the COVID-19 lockdown: Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe

“…Our finding of increased loneliness is compatible with other studies [14] , [24] . Generally, loneliness is more common in populations at risk of isolation and separation such as older individuals, who are more likely to live alone and tend to be more isolated from their friends and families [49] .…”

“…Generally, loneliness is more common in populations at risk of isolation and separation such as older individuals, who are more likely to live alone and tend to be more isolated from their friends and families [49] . To cope with loneliness, especially emotional loneliness, it is essential to have a significant other (e.g., a close friend or family member) who can provide emotional support [14] , [49] , [50] . This may have been especially important during the COVID-19, but at the same time the lockdown restricted this possibility, which is supported by the increased risk of loneliness among those having 2 or more close social relations, as these contacts may have been suddenly reduced or limited as a result of the lockdown.…”

“…Generally, social isolation and lack of social and emotional support lead to adverse somatic and mental health outcomes [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , and in middle-aged and older adults (aged 50+ years) reduced social connectedness (i.e., interacting with few close social contacts) is related to depressive symptoms [12] . Among older people (aged 65+ years), loneliness, defined as a discrepancy between desired and real social relations [13] , is most pronounced among those who are less satisfied with their social relationships [14] . Moreover, as older and retired people participate in physical leisure activities and recreational activities to keep socially connected [15] , they may be more susceptible to adverse mental health outcomes such as loneliness when restrictions such as social distancing and isolation are imposed.…”

Longitudinal Changes in Mental Health Following the COVID-19 Lockdown: Results From the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe

“…Generally, social isolation and lack of social and emotional support lead to adverse somatic and mental health outcomes [ 8 -] , [9] , [10] , [ 11 ], and in middle-aged and older adults (aged 50 + years) reduced social connectedness (i.e., interacting with few close social contacts) is related to depressive symptoms [12] . Amongst older people (aged 65 + years), loneliness, defined as a discrepancy between desired and real social relations [13] , is most pronounced amongst those who are less satisfied with their social relationships [14] . Moreover, as older and retired people participate in physical leisure activities and recreational activities to keep socially connected [15] , they may be more susceptible to adverse mental health outcomes, such as loneliness when restrictions such as social distancing and isolation are imposed.…”

Loneliness may mediate the relationship between depression and the quality of life among elderly with mild cognitive impairment

“…39 However, a study in the elderly population of the Czech Republic concluded that there is a non-significant gender-related difference among the elderly in terms of loneliness. 40 Future studies using multi-centric longitudinal designs, with a more comprehensive list of associated conditions, may give a better understanding of this relationship. Moreover, the gender-related difference in loneliness may benefit from the use of a more robust statistical approach by adjusting for a comprehensive list of associated conditions.…”