Loneliness and depression in the elderly: the role of social network
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Purpose Loneliness and depression are associated, in particular in older adults. Less is known about the role of social networks in this relationship. The present study analyzes the influence of social networks in the relationship between loneliness and depression in the older adult population in Spain.Methods A population-representative sample of 3535 adults aged 50 years and over from Spain was analyzed. Loneliness was assessed by means of the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Social network characteristics were measured using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index. Major depression in the previous 12 months was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the survey data.Results Feelings of loneliness were more prevalent in women, those who were younger (50-65), single, separated, divorced or widowed, living in a rural setting, with a lower frequency of social interactions and smaller social network, and with major depression. Among people feeling lonely, those with depression were more frequently married and had a small social network. Among those not feeling lonely, depression was associated with being previously married. In depressed people, feelings of loneliness were associated with having a small social network; while among those without depression, feelings of loneliness were associated with being married.Conclusion The type and size of social networks have a role in the relationship between loneliness and depression. Increasing social interaction may be more beneficial than strategies based on improving maladaptive social cognition in loneliness to reduce the prevalence of depression among Spanish older adults.
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A higher prevalence of loneliness is evident in women (50-65-year-old), single, separated, divorced or widowed, living in a rural setting, lower frequency of social interactions and smaller social networks.
“A higher prevalence of loneliness is evident in women (50–65-year-old), single, separated, divorced or widowed, living in a rural setting, lower frequency of social interactions and smaller social networks (31).”
A strong association between loneliness and depression has been found.
“A strong association between loneliness and depression has been found (31–33).”
Size of the network, frequency of contact with members and quality of the network are dimensions of an individual's social network.
“Size of the network, frequency of contact with members and quality of the network are dimensions of an individual’s social network (31).”
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“noted that among those who felt lonely, individuals with depression had a smaller social network [41].”
BackgroundDomènech-Abella, J., Gabarrell-Pascuet, A., García-Mieres, H., Mortier, P., Felez-Nobrega, M., Cristóbal-Narváez, P., Vilagut, G., Olaya, B., Alonso, J., & Haro, J. M. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115327 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Domènech-Abella, J., Lara, E., Rubio-Valera, M., Olaya, B., Moneta, M. V., Rico-Uribe, L. A., Ayuso-Mateos, J. L., Mundó, J., & Haro, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
- Venue
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Published
- 2017-02-02
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 381-390
- ISSN
- 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
- 1433-9285
- OpenAlex
- W2584117699
- Cited by
- 508
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 48 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 75 · 2023: 74 · 2022: 78 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 6
- FWCI
- 29.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RECERCAT (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya) (submittedVersion)
- Dipòsit Digital de la Universitat de Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
- Keywords
- loneliness, depression, older adults, social networks, social network size, social interaction, marital status, gender differences, rural residence, social cognition
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Middle Aged, Social Support, Spain
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