How Race, Gender, and Cohort Shape Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Americans
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Social isolation and loneliness in older adults differ significantly by race, gender, and generation. Interventions must be culturally informed to address these disparities.
Area Of Science
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background
- Social isolation and loneliness are critical concerns for older adults.
- Existing research often overlooks the intersectional nature of these experiences.
- Generational and ethno-racial differences in social lives may evolve over time.
Purpose Of The Study
- To examine intersectional differences in social isolation and loneliness.
- To compare these experiences across two American cohorts: the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers.
- To track changes in social isolation and loneliness over time within these cohorts.
Main Methods
- Utilized data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) (N=4328) from 2005-2023.
- Employed random-effects models to analyze longitudinal data.
- Examined differences across ethno-racial groups, gender, and two distinct birth cohorts.
Main Results
- At baseline, Silent Generation Black men reported higher social isolation than other groups.
- Silent Generation White women exhibited the most significant increase in social isolation.
- Silent Generation Hispanic women and Baby Boomer Hispanic men experienced a decrease in loneliness.
Conclusions
- Intersectional differences in social isolation and loneliness persist among older adults.
- Culturally informed interventions are necessary to address pandemic-related impacts.
- An intersectional approach is crucial for understanding and mitigating social isolation and loneliness in aging populations.
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