Perceived loneliness among older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Cheng

et al. 2018

Objectives:Loneliness and social networks have been extensively studied in relation to cognitive impairments, but how they interact with each other in relation to cognition is still unclear. This study aimed at exploring the interaction of loneliness and various types of social networks in relation to cognition in older adults.Design:a cross-sectional study.Setting:face-to-face interview.Participants:497 older adults with normal global cognition were interviewed.Measurements:Loneliness was assessed with Chinese 6-item De Jong Gierverg’s Loneliness Scale. Confiding network was defined as people who could share inner feelings with, whereas non-confiding network was computed by subtracting the confiding network from the total network size. Cognitive performance was expressed as a global composite z-score of Cantonese version of mini mental state examination (CMMSE), Categorical verbal fluency test (CVFT) and delayed recall. Linear regression was used to test the main effects of loneliness and the size of various networks, and their interaction on cognitive performance with the adjustment of sociodemographic, physical and psychological confounders.Results:Significant interaction was found between loneliness and non-confiding network on cognitive performance (B = .002, β = .092, t = 2.099, p = .036). Further analysis showed a significant interaction between loneliness and the number of family members in non-confiding network on cognition (B = .021, β = .119, t = 2.775, p = .006).Conclusions:Results suggested that a non-confiding relationship with family members might put lonely older adults at risk of cognitive impairment. Our study might have implications on designing psychosocial intervention for those who are vulnerable to loneliness as an early prevention of neurocognitive impairments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness interacts with family relationship in relation to cognitive function in Chinese older adults

Fung

Cheng

et al. 2018

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“…Loneliness has been linked to poor mental health [e.g., depression, hopelessness, substance use, and cognitive impairment], as well as worse physical health [e.g., malnutrition, worse motor function, hypertension, disrupted sleep, frailty], and higher mortality (Aanes et al, 2011;Boss et al, 2015;Cacioppo et al, 2002;Tabue Teguo et al, 2016;Yu et al, 2016). Biological mechanisms such as dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and dysregulated immune function have been proposed to mediate the link between loneliness and these poor health outcomes (Cacioppo et al, 2002;van Beljouw et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High prevalence and adverse health effects of loneliness in community-dwelling adults across the lifespan: role of wisdom as a protective factor

Depp

Palmer

et al. 2018

213

151

Objectives:This study of loneliness across adult lifespan examined its associations with sociodemographics, mental health (positive and negative psychological states and traits), subjective cognitive complaints, and physical functioning.Design:Analysis of cross-sectional dataParticipants:340 community-dwelling adults in San Diego, California, mean age 62 (SD = 18) years, range 27–101 years, who participated in three community-based studies.Measurements:Loneliness measures included UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-3), 4-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Social Isolation Scale, and a single-item measure from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale. Other measures included the San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE) and Medical Outcomes Survey- Short form 36.Results:Seventy-six percent of subjects had moderate-high levels of loneliness on UCLA-3, using standardized cut-points. Loneliness was correlated with worse mental health and inversely with positive psychological states/traits. Even moderate severity of loneliness was associated with worse mental and physical functioning. Loneliness severity and age had a complex relationship, with increased loneliness in the late-20s, mid-50s, and late-80s. There were no sex differences in loneliness prevalence, severity, and age relationships. The best-fit multiple regression model accounted for 45% of the variance in UCLA-3 scores, and three factors emerged with small-medium effect sizes: wisdom, living alone and mental well-being.Conclusions:The alarmingly high prevalence of loneliness and its association with worse health-related measures underscore major challenges for society. The non-linear age-loneliness severity relationship deserves further study. The strong negative association of wisdom with loneliness highlights the potentially critical role of wisdom as a target for psychosocial/behavioral interventions to reduce loneliness. Building a wiser society may help us develop a more connected, less lonely, and happier society.

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“…Next, Fung et al (2019) examines loneliness in older Chinese adults and the links with different types of relationships and cognitive functioning. Loneliness is an important social aspect of successful aging, with a number of studies emphasizing its influence on mental and physical health (Aanes et al, 2011;Boss et al, 2015;Cacioppo et al, 2002;Tabue Teguo et al, 2016;Yu et al, 2016). While exploratory, the findings from the Fung et al paper indicate that the interaction between loneliness and a non-confiding social network (i.e., the participants did not feel they could express their inner feelings with their social contacts) were significantly associated with poor cognitive functioning.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging successfully and healthfully

2019