Age-Related Differences of Rumination on the Loneliness-Depression Relationship: Evidence From a...

This study examined the association of loneliness with depressive symptoms across various age groups. Loneliness is a significant risk factor for precipitating depressive symptoms. Rumination, a mechanism that underpins depression, can become intense when a person feels lonely. In addition, age is a major factor associated with changes in mental and physical health. Thus, the importance of rumination and age in moderating the loneliness-depression link were investigated.

This cross-sectional study was conducted during the acute phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Hong Kong (February 27 to March 17, 2020). A population-representative sample of 1,972 people (1,107 females; 18-92 years of age) was recruited and interviewed via telephone through random digit dialing. This sample included 394 younger adults (18-30 years), 1,106 middle-aged adults (31-64 years), and 472 older adults (65 years or above). Respondents reported depressive symptoms, subjective loneliness, state rumination, and sociodemographic factors.

Loneliness and rumination were positively associated with depressive symptoms, and they significantly interacted in predicting cognitive-affective symptoms. Further analysis of age showed that the interaction was significant only in middle-aged adults and older adults. Both rumination and age interacted with loneliness, respectively, in predicting cognitive-affective symptoms.

These findings indicate that the strength of the association between loneliness and the cognitive-affective symptoms of depression depends on rumination levels and age. An intervention to regulate rumination offers a feasible direction for health care and social care aimed at improving older adults' mental health.