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A longitudinal study of the relationship between loneliness and memory
Aitana Sanz1, José M Tomás1, Mireia Abella1
1Department of Methodology of the Behavioral Sciences, Universitat de València, Spain.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|March 29, 2026
Summary
Loneliness negatively impacts episodic memory over time, but memory does not affect future loneliness. Interventions reducing loneliness may benefit older adults
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Loneliness is linked to adverse health outcomes, including dementia.
- Existing research indicates a positive association between loneliness and episodic memory, but causality remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between loneliness and episodic memory.
- To provide evidence on the plausible causal processes linking loneliness and episodic memory.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 64,861 participants in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).
- Employed Parallel Process Latent Growth Models (PP-LGM) analyzing loneliness and memory across five time points.
- Controlled for covariates including age, gender, education, chronic disorders, depression, and living situation.
Main Results:
- Initial levels of loneliness significantly predicted a steeper decline in episodic memory.
- Conversely, initial levels of episodic memory did not predict future loneliness.
Conclusions:
- Loneliness has a longitudinal detrimental effect on memory.
- Interventions aimed at reducing loneliness may positively impact memory in older adults.
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