Sociodemographic and Health-Related Risks for Loneliness and Outcome Differences by Loneliness Status in a Sample of U.S. Older Adults

Abstract

This study assesses sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with loneliness and outcome differences between loneliness groups using a sample of 13,812 older adults from the U.S Health and Retirement Study. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were followed by logistic regression to evaluate risks and analysis of covariance testing to determine outcome differences. Overall, prevalence of loneliness was 16.9%. Nonmarried status, poorer self-report of health, lower educational level, functional impairment, increasing number of chronic illnesses, younger age, lower income, and less people living in the household were all associated with loneliness. The chronically lonely group reported less exercise, more tobacco use, less alcohol use, a greater number of chronic illnesses, higher depression scores, and greater average number of nursing home stays. Future research evaluating the effectiveness of both prevention and treatment interventions for loneliness in older adults would provide empirical data to further guide gerontological nursing practice.

Situational versus chronic loneliness as risk factors for all-cause mortality

“…Similar prevalence rates were recently found in Finland in a random sample of people aged 75 and over (Savikko et al, 2005). In the U.S.A., on the other hand, only 17% of people aged 50 and above reported loneliness (Theeke, 2007). It may well be, however, that these studies under-represent levels of loneliness amongst older people because the labels of "loneliness" and "lonely people" often have negative social connotations that motivate respondents to avoid characterizing themselves as lonely (Victor et al, 2000;.…”

“…They found that both social isolation and loneliness demonstrated health-damaging effects. Finally, in a longitudinal study that employed the situational/chronic differentiation, chronically lonely individuals had shown poorer physical health in terms of chronic illnesses and greater number of nights in nursing homes (Theeke, 2007).…”

A Study of Social Support, Loneliness, Sleep Quality, and Perceived Health Status among Community-dwelling Older Adults

“…특히, 노인의 경우 생활하는 시간대 와 상관없이 20-40%에서 고독감을 느끼며 (Theeke, 2010), 5-7%에서 지속적이거나 심한 증상을 경험한 다고 한다 (Victor, Scambler, Bowling & Bond, 2005 (Victor, et al, 2005). 선행연구에서 고독감은 우울 증상 (Theeke, 2010), 수면장애 및 주간의 일상 생활 기능 장애 (Hawkley, Preacher & Cacioppo, 2010), 신체적 기능 감소 (Hawkley, Thisted, & Cacioppo, 2009) 회복력은 고갈된 신체적 · 정신적 기능을 중화시키고 스트레스에 대한 회복력을 향상시키는 원동력이다 (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2003 (Cacioppo, et al, 2002;Hawkley, et al, 2010). (Golden et al, 2009), 건강상태 (Cacioppo, et al, 2002: Hawkley, et al, 2003, 사회적 지지 (Cornwell & Waite, 2009;Hur, 2011;Segrin & Domschke, 2011), 우울 (Theeke, 2010) Psychiatric Research,28, …”

Differences in late-life loneliness: a comparison between Turkish and native-born older adults in Germany

“…In long-standing research on loneliness, some of the aforementioned characteristics of older migrants are repeatedly found to be main risk factors for developing feelings of loneliness. There is a consistent, strong and positive link between loneliness and poor health (for reviews see Hawkley and Cacioppo 2010;Ó Luanaigh and Lawlor 2008;Theeke 2007). Loneliness not only increases health-risk behaviour (e.g.…”