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Published on: May 18, 2022
Loneliness, health, and longevity.
Jochanan Stessman1, Yakir Rottenberg1, Inna Shimshilashvili1
1Department of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation, Jerusalem Institute of Aging Research, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Summary
Subjective loneliness in older adults (70-90) did not predict declines in health, function, or longevity. This study found no association between feeling lonely and increased morbidity or mortality in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Objective measures of loneliness are linked to adverse health outcomes in the elderly.
- The impact of subjective loneliness on health in older adults remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between subjective loneliness and subsequent health, functional status, and longevity in individuals aged 70-90 years.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study (Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study, 1990-2010) assessed loneliness, health, comorbidity, depression, and function.
- Data were collected from participants aged 70, 78, and 85, with mortality data analyzed over subsequent periods.
- Loneliness was assessed by asking participants how often they felt lonely, dichotomized as never versus rarely/often/very often.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of loneliness ranged from 23.8% to 27.9% across age groups (70, 78, 85).
- Not being married was the only consistent predictor of loneliness across all ages.
- No significant association was found between subjective loneliness and deterioration in functional status, mood, cognition, chronic pain, comorbidity, or mortality between ages 70 and 90.
Conclusions:
- Subjective loneliness in individuals aged 70-90 years is not associated with increased morbidity or mortality.
- Findings do not support the hypothesis that subjective loneliness negatively impacts health trajectories in later life.
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