Thinking it's boring in old age increases risk for future loneliness: findings from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS)

Although often considered trivial, prolonged boredom is associated with apathy, cognitive decline, mental health problems, and social withdrawal. In older age, cognitive and health decline as well as shrinking social networks may increase boredom. Likewise, they lead to loneliness, a profound risk factor of health in older age. As aging stereotypes may diminish health and well-being, we aimed to understand whether thinking that aging means being bored (AAB) more often is linked with loneliness.

Using data on N = 2490 older adults from two waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS, 2011 and 2017), we assessed whether AAB is a predictor of loneliness using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and mediation analysis.

About 11% of participants believe aging to be associated with increased boredom. Loneliness is exponentially increased the more participants expect boredom in age, even when controlling for sociodemographic, physical, and mental health data. There is a direct effect of AAB on loneliness but no indirect effects via depression or health.

Believing that aging is associated with boredom is independently linked with loneliness beyond mental and physical health. As ageing stereotypes may influence behaviour and well-being, psychosocial aspects must be incorporated for comprehensive geriatric care.