The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain
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This study examines the prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in Great Britain, and makes comparisons with the findings of studies undertaken during the last five decades. In addition, the risk factors for loneliness are examined using a conceptual model of vulnerability and protective factors derived from a model of depression. Loneliness was measured using a self-rating scale, and measures of socio-demographic status and health/social resources were included. Interviews were undertaken with 999 people aged 65 or more years living in their own homes, and the sample was broadly representative of the population in 2001. Among them the prevalence of ‘severe loneliness’ was seven per cent, indicating little change over five decades. Six independent vulnerability factors for loneliness were identified: marital status, increases in loneliness over the previous decade, increases in time alone over the previous decade; elevated mental morbidity; poor current health; and poorer health in old age than expected. Advanced age and possession of post-basic education were independently protective of loneliness. From this evidence we propose that there are three loneliness pathways in later life: continuation of a long-established attribute, late-onset loneliness, and decreasing loneliness. Confirmation of the different trajectories suggests that policies and interventions should reflect the variability of loneliness in later life, for undifferentiated responses may be neither appropriate nor effective.
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Loneliness is experienced by approximately 40% of older people.
“The related, but distinct concept of loneliness is reported to be experienced by approximately 40% of this age group [32-34].”
From Interventions targeting social isolation in older people: a systematic review (2011) · cites this paper as [34]
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- Authors
- VICTOR, C. R., SCAMBLER, S. J., BOWLING, A., & BOND, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Reading (GB)
- University of Roehampton (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- Venue
- Ageing and Society
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2005-04-22
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 357-375
- ISSN
- 0144-686X (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1779
- OpenAlex
- W2123271605
- Cited by
- 572
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 11.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- discovery.ucl.ac.uk
- Locations
- Ageing and Society (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Research Repository (Kingston University London) (submittedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- loneliness, older adults, prevalence, risk factors, marital status, time alone, psychiatric morbidity, elderly health, educational attainment, loneliness trajectories, social isolation
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