Onset of loneliness in older adults: results of a 28 year prospective study

Abstract

The goal of this research is to test whether often observed correlates of loneliness in older age are related to onset of loneliness longitudinally. Despite the increasing number of longitudinal studies, the investigation of factors that are related to onset of loneliness is still limited. Analyses are based on data of the TamELSA study, which is a population-based prospective study in Tampere, Finland and started in 1979. For the present study 469 older adults aged between 60 and 86 years at baseline, who were not lonely at baseline, were selected and followed-up in 1989, 1999 and 2006. During the 28 years of follow-up approximately one third (N = 178) of the study population developed feelings of loneliness. Logistic regression analyses indicated that losing a partner, reduced social activities, increased physical disabilities, increased feelings of low mood, uselessness and nervousness, rather than baseline characteristics, are related to enhanced feelings of loneliness at follow-up. The higher incidence of loneliness among women can be fully explained by the unequal distribution of risk factors among men and women (e.g., women more often become widowed). Our results are in line with the cognitive approach that conceptualizes loneliness as an unpleasant feeling due to a perceived discrepancy between the desired and the achieved level of social and personal resources.

El sentimiento de soledad en la vejez

“…Pinquart y Sörensen (2001), tras realizar un meta-análisis de estudios que han tratado sobre las diferencias de género en la soledad, argumentan que las mujeres la padecen en una magnitud superior. Este hecho puede deberse a que los varones son más reservados al reconocer en las encuestas que sufren el problema (de Jong Gierveld, van Tilburg y Dykstra 2016), así como a la desigual exposición de unas y otros a los principales factores de riesgo que lo motivan, como la viudez (Aartsen y Jylhä 2011). Lo cierto es que otros muchos trabajos defienden que afecta más a las mujeres (Nicolaisen y Thorsen 2017; Iecovich, Jacobs y Stessman 2011; Savikko et al 2005), incluso si analizan a personas de cualquier edad (Victor y Yang 2012 Dykstra 1995).…”

“…Desde una ópti-https://doi.org/10.3989/ris.2018.76.1.16.164 ca cualitativa, sus resultados ayudan a comprender lo que encuentran todas las encuestas realizadas: la fuerte vinculación existente entre la viudedad y el sentimiento de soledad (Victor y Bowling 2012;Aartsen y Jylhä 2011;Dykstra, van Tilburg y De Jong Gierveld 2005). Sin embargo, la hemos descubierto, no tanto entre quienes perdieron al cónyuge en una etapa prematura de su curso vital sino, mucho más, entre quienes enviudan en la vejez.…”

Loneliness in old age in Eastern and Western European societies: theoretical perspectives

“…Moreover, it has been shown that changes in social integration, e.g. losing a partner and reduced social activities account for changes in loneliness over time (Van Aartsen and Jylhä 2011). Does the 'deficit hypothesis' (loneliness results from unfulfilled social needs) help to explain the loneliness differences between Eastern and Western European societies?…”

The relationship between wealth and loneliness among older people across Europe: Is social participation protective?

“…Loneliness is influenced by a myriad of factors including age, marital status, social networks and participation, functional limitations and mental health (Aartsen and Jylha, 2011;Bosma et al, 2015;Cacioppo et al, 2010;Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). Loneliness affects individuals of any age (Yang and Victor, 2011), but older people are particularly susceptible as a result of losing close friends and relatives, as well as the increased prevalence of limiting health conditions.…”