Typologies of loneliness, living alone and social isolation, and their associations with physical and mental health
Open accessAbstract
Abstract The relationship between living alone, loneliness and social isolation, and how they are associated with health remain contentious. We sought to explore typologies based on shared experiences of loneliness, social isolation and living alone using Latent Class Analysis and determine how these groups may differ in terms of their physical and mental health. We used Wave 7 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 7,032; mean age = 67.3) and responses to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale, household composition, participation in social/societal activities plus frequency of contact with friends, family and relatives for the Latent Class Analysis. The optimal number of groups was identified using model-fit criteria. The socio-demographic characteristics of groups and health outcomes were explored using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. We identified a six-cluster typology: Group 1, no loneliness or isolation; Group 2, moderate loneliness; Group 3, living alone; Group 4, moderate isolation; Group 5, moderate loneliness, living alone; and Group 6, high loneliness, moderate isolation (with high likelihood of living alone). Groups experiencing loneliness and/or isolation were more likely to report poorer physical and mental health even after adjusting for socio-demographic confounders, this was particularly notable for Group 6. Our results indicate that different typologies of living alone, loneliness and isolation can be identified using data-driven techniques, and can be differentiated by the number and severity of issues they experience.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Smith and Victor found four groups that experienced either social isolation or loneliness were more likely to have physical and mental health problems compared to the majority group.
“In between these two extremes were four groups that experienced either social isolation or loneliness. These groups were also more likely to have physical and mental health problems compared to the majority group.”
From Examining social isolation and loneliness in combination in relation to social support and psychological distress using Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) data (2020) · cites this paper as [45]
The LCA section identifies four groups between the no-loneliness-or-isolation group and the most severely affected group, but one of the four (Group 3) is characterised by living alone, not by loneliness or social isolation. The Comparing groups on socio-demographic and health-related outcomes section reports poorer physical and mental health outcomes for Groups 2–6 than for Group 1 in unadjusted analyses; after adjustment, the associations for Group 3 were attenuated. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe neither socially isolated nor lonely group was younger and had a higher household income than the other groups.
“The neither socially isolated nor lonely group was younger and had a higher household income than the other groups, similar to Smith and Victor’s findings [45]”
From Examining social isolation and loneliness in combination in relation to social support and psychological distress using Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) data (2020) · cites this paper as [45]
The Discussion (p. 1722) describes Group 1, which was neither lonely nor socially isolated, as younger and wealthier. But the Socio-demographic characteristics section specifies net wealth minus pension, not household income; the income part of the claim is therefore unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe present study's prevalence rates are in line with results by Smith and Victor [45].
“They are also in line with results by Smith and Victor [45].”
From Examining social isolation and loneliness in combination in relation to social support and psychological distress using Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) data (2020) · cites this paper as Smith and Victor [45]
The LCA results (p. 1714 onward) report the proportions of the sample in six loneliness, isolation and living-alone groups, so Smith and Victor do provide prevalence results. The citing sentence gives no rates or populations to compare, however, so whether the two studies’ rates are actually in line cannot be verified. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSmith and Victor found six groups based on clustering analyses; the largest group (47%) experienced no loneliness or social isolation and had the least physical health problems and depressive symptoms.
“Recently, Smith and Victor [45], using clustering analyses based on measures of social isolation, loneliness and living alone, found six groups of people. The largest group (47% of the sample) experienced no loneliness or social isolation. This group also had the least physical health problems and depressive symptoms.”
Smith and Victor found a small proportion (4%) were both lonely and socially isolated and had a substantially increased likelihood of physical and mental health problems, relative to the majority group.
“On the opposite side of the spectrum, a small proportion (4%) of the sample were both lonely and socially isolated and had a substantially increased likelihood of physical and mental health problems, relative to the majority group.”
The socially isolated and lonely group was the most at-risk group.
“The socially isolated and lonely group was clearly the most at risk group, as expected, consistent with previous research [18,45].”
Older adults who experience both social isolation and loneliness report poorer health quality, with worse depressive symptoms and a higher number of comorbidities.
“Similarly, older adults who experience both social isolation and loneliness have been found to report poorer health quality, with worse depressive symptoms and a higher number of comorbidities (8, 48–50).”
From The impact of COVID-19 infection and enforced prolonged social isolation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [49]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691614568352 · Cited by 6,043 · see citing works
Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms
Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8 · Cited by 4,782 · see citing works
A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys: Results From Two Population-Based Studies
Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2004) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027504268574 · Cited by 4,781 · see citing works
Loneliness: the experience of emotional and social isolation
Weiss, R. S. (1974) · Cited by 2,548 · see citing works
Social isolation, loneliness, and all-cause mortality in older men and women
Steptoe, A., Shankar, A., Demakakos, P., & Wardle, J. (2013) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1219686110 · Cited by 2,503 · see citing works
Cacioppo, J. T., Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2006) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140 · Cited by 2,380 · see citing works
Perceived social isolation and cognition
Cacioppo, J. T., & Hawkley, L. C. (2009) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2009.06.005 · Cited by 2,144 · see citing works
McCutcheon, A. L. (1987) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781412984713 · Cited by 2,082 · see citing works
Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and health among older adults
Cornwell, E. Y., & Waite, L. J. (2009) · Journal of Health and Social Behavior · doi:10.1177/002214650905000103 · Cited by 2,027 · see citing works
The clinical significance of loneliness: a literature review
Heinrich, L. M., & Gullone, E. (2006) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2006.04.002 · Cited by 1,986 · see citing works
Hagenaars, J. A. P., & McCutcheon, A. L. (2002) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511499531 · Cited by 1,983 · see citing works
Valtorta, N. K., Kanaan, M., Gilbody, S., Ronzi, S., & Hanratty, B. (2016) · Heart · doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308790 · Cited by 1,971 · see citing works
Vermunt, J. K., & Magidson, J. (2002) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511499531.004 · Cited by 1,815 · see citing works
Cohort profile: The English longitudinal study of ageing
Steptoe, A., Breeze, E., Banks, J., & Nazroo, J. (2013) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/dys168 · Cited by 1,779 · see citing works
The negative side of social interaction: Impact on psychological well-being.
Rook, K. S. (1984) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.46.5.1097 · Cited by 1,645 · see citing works
The negative side of social interaction: Impact on psychological well-being.
Rook, K. S. (1984) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.46.5.1097 · Cited by 1,645 · see citing works
Social Integration, Social Networks, Social Support, and Health
Berkman, L. F., & Glass, T. (2000) · Social Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195083316.003.0007 · Cited by 1,513 · see citing works
Loneliness in Older Persons: A Predictor of Functional Decline and Death
Perissinotto, C. M., Stijacic Cenzer, I., & Covinsky, K. E. (2012) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.1993 · Cited by 1,269 · see citing works
Influences on Loneliness in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2001) · Basic and Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1207/153248301753225702 · Cited by 1,233 · see citing works
Loneliness, social isolation, and behavioral and biological health indicators in older adults.
Shankar, A., McMunn, A., Banks, J., & Steptoe, A. (2011) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0022826 · Cited by 1,100 · see citing works
Influences on Loneliness in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2001) · Basic and Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1207/s15324834basp2304_2 · Cited by 1,036 · see citing works
Social Disengagement and Incident Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons
Bassuk, S. S., Glass, T. A., & Berkman, L. F. (1999) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-131-3-199908030-00002 · Cited by 991 · see citing works
Loneliness and the health of older people
Luanaigh, C. Ó., & LAWLOR, B. A. (2008) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.2054 · Cited by 750 · see citing works
Being alone in later life: Loneliness, social isolation and living alone
Victor, C., Scambler, S., Bond, J., & Bowling, A. (2000) · Reviews in Clinical Gerontology · doi:10.1017/s0959259800104101 · Cited by 730 · see citing works
Zunzunegui, M.-V., Alvarado, B. E., Del Ser, T., & Otero, A. (2003) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/58.2.s93 · Cited by 719 · see citing works
The Importance of Different Forms of Social Capital for Health
Ферландер, С. (2007) · Acta Sociologica · doi:10.1177/0001699307077654 · Cited by 670 · see citing works
Gender Differences in Self-Concept and Psychological Well-Being in Old Age: A Meta-Analysis
Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2001) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/56.4.p195 · Cited by 646 · see citing works
Shankar (2013) · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31827f09cd · Cited by 635 · see citing works
Holwerda, T. J., Deeg, D. J. H., Beekman, A. T. F., van Tilburg, T. G., Stek, M. L., Jonker, C., & Schoevers, R. A. (2014) · Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp-2012-302755 · Cited by 633 · see citing works
Loneliness, social support networks, mood and wellbeing in community‐dwelling elderly
Golden, J., Conroy, R. M., Bruce, I., Denihan, A., Greene, E., Kirby, M., & Lawlor, B. A. (2009) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.2181 · Cited by 610 · see citing works
VICTOR, C. R., SCAMBLER, S. J., BOWLING, A., & BOND, J. (2005) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x04003332 · Cited by 572 · see citing works
Self-citationGender Differences in Loneliness
Borys, S., & Perlman, D. (1985) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167285111006 · Cited by 476 · see citing works
Social Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age: Review and Model Refinement
Wenger, G. C., Davies, R. B., Shahtahmasebi, S., & Scott, A. (1996) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x00003457 · Cited by 439 · see citing works
Loneliness, health and depression in older males
Alpass, F. M., & Neville, S. (2003) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/1360786031000101193 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
Changes in Older Adult Loneliness
Dykstra, P. A., van Tilburg, T. G., & Gierveld, J. D. J. (2005) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027505279712 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Elovainio, M., Hakulinen, C., Pulkki-Råback, L., Virtanen, M., Josefsson, K., Jokela, M., Vahtera, J., & Kivimäki, M. (2017) · The Lancet Public Health · doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(17)30075-0 · Cited by 411 · see citing works
Lack of social support and incidence of coronary heart disease in middle-aged Swedish men.
Orth‐Gomér, K., Rosengren, A., & Wilhelmsen, L. (1993) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-199301000-00007 · Cited by 386 · see citing works
Prevalence of frailty and disability: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Galé, C. R., Cooper, C. C., & Sayer, A. A. (2014) · Age and Ageing · doi:10.1093/ageing/afu148 · Cited by 370 · see citing works
Valtorta, N., Kanaan, M. N., Gilbody, S. M., & Hanratty, B. (2016) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010799 · Cited by 351 · see citing works
Loneliness, isolation and the health of older adults: do we need a new research agenda?
Valtorta, N., & Hanratty, B. (2012) · Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine · doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.120128 · Cited by 343 · see citing works
Dahlberg, L., & McKee, K. (2013) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.856863 · Cited by 343 · see citing works
Old people in three industrial societies
Markson, E. W. (1969) · Social Science & Medicine (1967) · doi:10.1016/0037-7856(69)90027-4 · Cited by 323 · see citing works
A Longitudinal Analysis of Loneliness Among Older People in Great Britain
Victor, C. R., & Bowling, A. (2012) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2011.609572 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Self-citationHealth risk appraisal in older people 1: are older people living alone an "at-risk" group?
Kharicha, K., Iliffe, S., Harari, D., Swift, C. G., Gillmann, G., & Stuck, A. E. (2007) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Predictors of loneliness among older women and men in Sweden: A national longitudinal study
Dahlberg, L., Andersson, L. F., McKee, K., & Lennartsson, C. (2014) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2014.944091 · Cited by 292 · see citing works
Hawthorne, G. (2008) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-007-0279-8 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Loneliness among older Europeans
Sundström, G., Fransson, E. I., Malmberg, B., & Davey, A. (2009) · European Journal of Ageing · doi:10.1007/s10433-009-0134-8 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults
Barg, F. K., Huss‐Ashmore, R., Wittink, M. N., Murray, G. F., Bogner, H. R., & Gallo, J. J. (2006) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/61.6.s329 · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Lee, H. Y., Jang, S., Lee, S., Cho, S., & Park, E. (2007) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2007.05.007 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
The Influence of Living Alone on Depression in Elderly Persons
Dean, A., Kolody, B., Wood, P., & Matt, G. E. (1992) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/089826439200400101 · Cited by 173 · see citing works
Centrality of social ties to the health and well-being of older adults
Lubben, J. (2003) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Dhalwani, N. N., O’Donovan, G., Zaccardi, F., Hamer, M., Yates, T. E., Davies, M. J., & Khunti, K. K. (2016) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0330-9 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Iliffe, S., Kharicha, K., Harari, D., Swift, C. G., Gillmann, G., & Stuck, A. E. (2007) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Hamer, M., Molloy, G. J., de Oliveira, C. M., & Demakakos, P. (2009) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.004 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Living Alone, Socially Isolated or Lonely—What are We Measuring?
Perissinotto, C. M., & Covinsky, K. E. (2014) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1007/s11606-014-2977-8 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Being Alone Versus Being with People: Disengagement in the Daily Experience of Older Adults.
Larson, R., Zuzanek, J., & Mannell, R. (1985) · Journal of Gerontology · doi:10.1093/geronj/40.3.375 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
The enigmatic phenomenon of loneliness
Dahlberg, K. (2007) · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1080/17482620701626117 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Zebhauser, A., Hofmann‐Xu, L., Baumert, J., Häfner, S., Lacruz, M. E., Emeny, R. T., Döring, A., Grill, E., Huber, D., Peters, A., et al. (2014) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.3998 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Nummela, O., Seppänen, M., & Uutela, A. (2011) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2010.10.023 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Dhalwani, N. N., Zaccardi, F., O’Donovan, G., Carter, P., Hamer, M., Yates, T. E., Davies, M. J., & Khunti, K. K. (2016) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · doi:10.1093/gerona/glw146 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Cloutier, D., Kobayashi, K. M., & Smith, A. P. (2011) · Journal of Aging Studies · doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2011.03.012 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Living arrangements and dietary quality of older U.S. adults
Davis, M. A., Murphy, S. P., Neuhaus, J. M., & Lein, D. (1990) · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(21)01872-1 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
McHugh, J., Kenny, R., Lawlor, B., Steptoe, A., & Kee, F. (2017) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.4509 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Au, B., Smith, K. J., Gariépy, G., & Schmitz, N. (2015) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.4250 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
The enigmatic phenomenon of loneliness
Dahlberg, K. (2007) · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being · doi:10.3402/qhw.v2i4.4960 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Psychological correlates of loneliness in the older adult
Walton, C. G., Shultz, C. M., Beck, C. M., & Walls, R. C. (1991) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/0883-9417(91)90017-y · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Social support networks of older migrants in England and Wales: the role of collectivist culture
Burholt, V., Dobbs, C., & Victor, C. R. (2017) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x17000034 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Social work and health care in an aging society : education, policy, practice, and research
Berkman, B., & Harootyan, L. K. (2003) · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Badawi, G., Pagé, V., Smith, K. J., Gariépy, G., MALLA, A. K., Wang, J., Boyer, R., Strychar, I. M., LESAGE, A. D., & Schmitz, N. (2012) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.07.018 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Living in the 21st century: older people in England
Marmot, M. G. (2008) · doi:10.1920/ps.ifs.2024.1136 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Ellwardt, L., Aartsen, M., & van Tilburg, T. G. (2016) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbw142 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
A Model of Estrangement—Including a Theoretical Understanding of Loneliness
Andersson, L. F. (1986) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1986.58.3.683 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Isolation, desolation and loneliness
Townsend, P. (1980) · doi:10.4324/9781315125480-14 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Old and Alone: a Sociological Study of Old People
Kutner, B. (1968) · Journal of Gerontology · doi:10.1093/geronj/23.1.99a · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Alzheimer's disease: charting the crossroads between neurology and psychology
Gilbert, T., & Herbst, M. (2013) · Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp-2012-304479 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Change in social detachment in older age in England
Barnes, M., Jivraj, S., & Nazroo, J. Y. (2012) · doi:10.1920/ps.ifs.2024.0857 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Investigating the dynamics of social detachment in older age
Tomaszewski, W., & Barnes, M. (2008) · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 78 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Kimberley J. Smith and Christina Victor https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X18000132 Published online by Cambridge University Press
- Kimberley J. Smith and Christina Victor https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X18000132 Published online by Cambridge University Press
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Torous, J., Jän Myrick, K., Rauseo-Ricupero, N., & Firth, J. (2020) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/18848 · Cited by 946 · see citing works
“…health may be particularly important during periods of isolation/prolonged home time, due to the adverse psychological effects of reduced exercise [29] or prolonged sedentary behavior [30], and the ongoing debate about certain types of screen time and social media usage (with quality of online…”
BackgroundAbdi, S., Spann, A., Borilovic, J., de Witte, L., & Hawley, M. (2019) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1189-9 · Cited by 623 · see citing works
Contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown beneficial for mental health.
Pouso, S., Borja, Á., Fleming, L. E., Gómez-Baggethun, E., White, M. P., & Uyarra, M. C. (2021) · Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143984 · Cited by 604 · see citing works
“There is very strong evidence suggesting that isolation from others can damage mental health (Leigh-Hunt et al., 2017; Smith and Victor, 2019; Brooks et al., 2020).”
Du Preez, A., Onorato, D., Eiben, I., Musaelyan, K., Egeland, M., Zunszain, P. A., Fernandes, C., Thuret, S., & Pariante, C. M. (2021) · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.07.015 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
Su, Y., Rao, W., Li, M., Caron, G., D’Arcy, C., & Meng, X. (2022) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610222000199 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Intolerance of Uncertainty and Loneliness in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Parlapani, E., Holeva, V., Nikopoulou, V. A., Sereslis, K., Athanasiadou, M., Godosidis, A., Stephanou, T., & Diakogiannis, I. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00842 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
“1% of older adults in Europe live alone, whereas in Greece, only about one out of four older adults lives alone (57) Although living alone does not necessarily equate loneliness (110), it was proven a strong predictor of loneliness (111).”
BackgroundManca, R., De Marco, M., & Venneri, A. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.585540 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Menec, V. H., Newall, N. E., Mackenzie, C. S., Shooshtari, S., & Nowicki, S. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230673 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
“Recently, Smith and Victor [45], using clustering analyses based on measures of social isola- tion, loneliness and living alone, found six groups of people.”
BackgroundResultInfluentialThe association of widowhood and living alone with depression among older adults in India
Srivastava, S., Debnath, P., Shri, N., & Muhammad, T. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01238-x · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Shaw, R. J., Cullen, B., Graham, N., Lyall, D. M., Mackay, D., Okolie, C., Pearsall, R., Ward, J., John, A. M., & Smıth, D. J. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.026 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Sleep and mental health in athletes during COVID-19 lockdown
Facer‐Childs, E. R., Hoffman, D. T., Tran, J. N., Drummond, S. P. A., & Rajaratnam, S. M. W. (2021) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/zsaa261 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
“In addition, social isolation and loneliness are associated with reduced physical activity [30] and an increase in depressive symptoms [31].”
BackgroundHong, J. H., Nakamura, J. S., Berkman, L. F., Chen, F. S., Shiba, K., Chen, Y., Kim, E. S., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2023) · SSM - Population Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101459 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
A Conceptual Review of Loneliness in Adults: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
Mansfield, L., Victor, C. R., Meads, C., Daykin, N., Tomlinson, A., Lane, J., Gray, K., & Golding, A. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182111522 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
“In public health, for example, loneliness has been problematised and medicalised because of the associations with a range of negative mental and physical health outcomes [4], including increased mortality, morbidity, poorer health behaviours and excess service use [5], cardiovascular disease [6,7], reduced physical ac…”
BackgroundYang, Y., Liu, K., Li, S., & Shu, M. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17238931 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
“A number of studies have pointed out that pandemic [3,4] and social isolation [5,6] could negatively influence the mental health of the general population.”
BackgroundDepressive symptoms predict increased social and emotional loneliness in older adults
Power, J. M., Hannigan, C., Hyland, P., Brennan, S., Kee, F., & LAWLOR, B. A. (2018) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1517728 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Nisar, Q. A., Haider, S., Ali, F., Naz, S., & Ryu, K. (2020) · International Journal of Hospitality Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102794 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
“Policymakers and practitioners must understand perceived isolation as a construct, identify its determinants, and learn how it is linked to outcomes (Smith and Victor, 2019) like interpersonal deviance.”
BackgroundFreak‐Poli, R., Kung, C. S. J., Ryan, J. L., & Shields, M. A. (2022) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbac039 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
“…social isolation, social support, and loneliness (National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2020), because they have been found to have differential pathways to poor health and disease (Cacioppo & Hawkley, 2003; Menec et al., 2019; Shankar et al., 2011; Smith & Victor, 2019; Steptoe et al., 2013).”
Gálvez-Hernández, P., Paz, L. G., & Muntaner, C. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057729 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Lorant, V., Smith, P., den Broeck, K. V., & Nicaise, P. (2021) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03109-1 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
van Hees, S., van den Borne, B. H. P., Menting, J., & Sattoe, J. N. T. (2019) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2019.103933 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
‘It's a lonely old world’: Developing a multidimensional understanding of loneliness in farming
Wheeler, R., Lobley, M., McCann, J., & Phillimore, A. (2022) · Sociologia Ruralis · doi:10.1111/soru.12399 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Social isolation and multiple chronic diseases after age 50: A European macro-regional analysis
Cantarero, D., Sáez, M. P., & Blázquez‐Fernández, C. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205062 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Neighborhood, social isolation and mental health outcome among older people in Ghana
Gyasi, R. M., Yeboah, A. A., Mensah, C. M., Ouédraogo, R., & Addae, E. A. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.024 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Kristensen, K., König, H., & Hajek, A. (2019) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-019-7741-x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
“It is worth noting that the opposite direction, in which loneliness, social exclusion and network size predict multimorbidity, has also been investigated previously and significant associations have been found [27, 55].”
BackgroundWhat Time Alone Offers: Narratives of Solitude From Adolescence to Older Adulthood
Weinstein, N., Nguyen, T.-V. T., & Hansen, H. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714518 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
“Loneliness is associated with detrimental solitude (or self-isolation) and has substantial implications for mental and physical health (Victor et al., 2000; Matias et al., 2011; O'Súilleabháin et al., 2019; Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundKröger, T. (2022) · Sustainable development goals series · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-97243-1 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Koehn, S. D., Ferrer, I., & Brotman, S. (2020) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x20001348 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
“Globally, populations are ageing, and governments and policy makers are increasingly recognising the deleterious effects of loneliness and social isolation on the health of their oldest citizens, particularly the most elderly among them (Ministry of Social Development, 2001; Campaign to End Loneliness, 2011; National…”
BackgroundInfluentialInternet access and older adults' health: Evidence from China
Ding, X., Yuan, L., & Zhou, Y. (2023) · China Economic Review · doi:10.1016/j.chieco.2023.102047 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Hsu, H. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17249181 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“…age, sex, race, education, socioeconomic status, marital status or widowhood, working status, having children or not, social relationship with friends and neighbors, social anxiety, Internet use, self-rated health, disability, resilience, previous depression, and built environment [10,21,29–43].”
InfluentialLongitudinal Examination of Emotional Functioning in Older Adults After Spousal Bereavement
Szabó, Á., Kok, A. A. L., Beekman, A. T. F., & Huisman, M. A. (2019) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbz039 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Xiang, X., Lai, P. H. L., Bao, L., Sun, Y., Chen, J., Dunkle, R. E., & Maust, D. T. (2020) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/0898264320953693 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
“Deficiency in social relationships, reflected by both objective and subjective measures, has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes (Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundNeves, B. B., Waycott, J., & Maddox, A. (2021) · Sociological Research Online · doi:10.1177/13607804211029298 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
“…later life does not equal loneliness – among the top factors that enhance older people’s vulnerability to loneliness are living alone or in aged-care facilities while experiencing health conditions and circumstances that affect social interaction (Gardiner et al., 2020; Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundA Systematic Review of the Relationship between Social Isolation and Physical Health in Adults
Sherman, D. W., Alfano, A. R., Alfonso, F., Duque, C. R., Eiroa, D., Marrero, Y., Muñecas, T., Radcliffe-Henry, E., Rodríguez, A. L., & Sommer, C. L. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12111135 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
“Smith and Victor [47] suggested that studies should explore the differing characteristics of social isolation and loneliness to determine how these concepts are related to health.”
BackgroundTrajectories of family care over the lifecourse: evidence from Canada
Fast, J. E., Keating, N. C., Eales, J., Kim, C., & Lee, Y. (2020) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x19001806 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
“Evidence is mounting of frail older people with unmet needs for support (Humphries et al., 2016) and who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness (Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundLong, R. M., Terracciano, A., Sutin, A. R., Creaven, A., Gerstorf, D., D’Arcy-Bewick, S., & O’Súilleabháin, P. S. (2022) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000001151 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“Loneliness and social isolation may also be differentiated from living alone, which reflects a one-person household (20).”
BackgroundZhang, Y., & Bennett, M. (2023) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbad166 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“It is well-established that there is a significant difference in mental health between those who live alone and those who live with others, especially among older adults (Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundAttachment, loneliness, and online perceived social support
Benoit, A. A., & DiTommaso, E. (2020) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110230 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
A quarantined lodging stay: The buffering effect of service quality
Wong, I. A., & Yang, F. X. (2020) · International Journal of Hospitality Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102655 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“In essence, feeling social rejection from society is a key factor that leads to worries and panic, which further exacerbates one’s feeling of being isolated from social ties and even human interaction (Smith and Victor, 2019).”
Family, Collectivism, and Loneliness from a Cross-Country Perspective
Taniguchi, H., & Kaufman, G. (2021) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-021-09978-8 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“Loneliness is associated with lower self-esteem, higher depression, and physiological decline (Hawkley et al., 2010; Shankar et al., 2011; Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundExploring the determinants and mitigating factors of loneliness among older adults
Smale, B. J. A., Wilson, J., & Akubueze, N. (2022) · Wellbeing Space and Society · doi:10.1016/j.wss.2022.100089 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Horgan, S. A., Prorok, J. C., Ellis, K., Mullaly, L., Cassidy, K.-L., Seitz, D. P., & Checkland, C. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21060664 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“Mental health, as it underpins overall functioning, is a critical stimulus that shapes the overall ability to age well [6,7].”
BackgroundSocial Isolation Profiles and Older Adult Substance Use: A Latent Profile Analysis
Farmer, A. Y. R., Wang, Y., Peterson, N. A., Borys, S. V., & Hallcom, D. K. (2021) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbab078 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Pandya, S. P. (2019) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2019.1691143 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Sahi, R. S., Schwyck, M. E., Parkinson, C. M., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-97421-1 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Rodriguez, M., Pratt, S., Bellet, B. W., & McNally, R. J. (2023) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12887 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Specifically, individuals who are lonely may perceive solitude as aversive, painful, and a reminder of their social isolation (Smith & Victor, 2019; Weinstein et al., 2021).”
Wu, F., & Sheng, Y. (2019) · International Journal of Nursing Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.11.003 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“It has been suggested that social isolation could lead to increases in the negative outcomes of physical and psychological health among older adults [11].”
BackgroundBoekhout, J. M., Volders, E., Bolman, C. A. W., de Groot, R. H. M., & Lechner, L. (2021) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/08982643211015027 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“…al., 2000; Mendes de Leon et al., 2003; Puts et al., 2007), with higher feelings of loneliness (Griffith et al., 2017; Nicolaisen & Thorsen, 2012; Smith & Victor, 2018; van Hees et al., 2020) and with depression or anxiety (Adams et al., 2004; Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2014; Global Council on Brain…”
BackgroundBuilding social capital through sport engagement: evidence for adults aged 50 years and older
Santos, J. M. S., Rungo, P., & Lera‐López, F. (2022) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x22000046 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“According to this perspective, older adults ’ isolation results from a gradual and irreversible abandonment of social roles, narrowing role sets and a weakening of existing social bonds (Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundPark, J. H., Min, S., Eoh, Y., & Park, S. H. (2020) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-020-02693-1 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Liu, K., Yang, Y., Li, M., Li, S., Sun, K., & Zhao, Y. (2021) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106190 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Previous studies show that social isolation caused by public health crises or natural disasters can negatively influence the mental health of the general population (Hall & Chapman, 2008; Rohde et al., 2016; Rubin et al., 2010; Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundBoulton, E., Kneale, D., Stansfield, C., Heron, P., Sutcliffe, K., Hayanga, B., Hall, A., Bower, P., Casey, D., Craig, D., et al. (2021) · F1000Research · doi:10.12688/f1000research.27076.2 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Willis, P., & Vickery, A. (2022) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/hsc.13732 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“While overlapping, loneliness, living alone and social isolation are distinguishable concepts and living alone is not a reliable measure of loneliness (Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundSusanty, S., Chung, M., Chiu, H., Chi, M., Sophia Huey-Lan, H. U., Kuo, C., & Chuang, Y. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19084911 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Iamtrakul, P., & Chayphong, S. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192114572 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Jung, A.-R., Lee, K., & Park, E.-A. (2023) · Geriatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.07.011 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Neves, B. B., & Petersen, A. R. (2024) · The Sociological Review · doi:10.1177/00380261231212100 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Yet it is surrounded with definitional ambiguity and even conflated with social isolation or living alone, despite a body of research showing those concepts differ (Shanas et al., 1968; Smith & Victor, 2019).”
Ansari, S., Muhammad, T., & Dhar, M. (2021) · Journal of Population Ageing · doi:10.1007/s12062-021-09343-5 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Wang, J., Zhou, Y., Zhang, Q., Li, J., Zhai, D., Li, J., Han, B., & Liu, Z. (2024) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-023-04611-9 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“This is because older people living alone lack the company and care of their families, and they are more likely to feel lonely in the face of aging and loss [65].”
BackgroundMarital status, close social network and loneliness of older adults in the Czech Republic
Štípková, M. (2019) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x19001442 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Social isolation and loneliness have negative impacts on physical and mental health and survival (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010, 2015; Ye Luo et al., 2012; Rico-Uribe et al., 2016; Courtin and Knapp, 2017; Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundCabello, M., Izquierdo, A., & Leal, I. (2021) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1111/hsc.13260 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“This result is in line with previous literature that has showed that people living alone did not show poor mental health, but people living alone and feeling alone did (Smith & Victor, 2019).”
ResultPandemic Diaries: Lived Experiences of Loneliness, Loss, and Hope Among Older Adults During COVID-19
Neves, B. B., Colón-Cabrera, D., Sanders, A., & Warren, N. (2022) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnac104 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“Interactions between loneliness and personal contexts have also been documented (Cohen-Mansfield et al., 2016; O’Sullivan, Burns, et al., 2021; Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundInfluentialLam, J. (2021) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbab219 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Alshakhsi, S., Chemnad, K., Almourad, M. B., Altuwairiqi, M., McAlaney, J., & Ali, R. (2022) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11055 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Jiang, Y., Li, M., & Chung, T. A. (2022) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115568 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Heu, L. C., van Zomeren, M., & Hansen, N. (2020) · International Journal of Intercultural Relations · doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.05.005 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Relationships between social withdrawal and facial emotion recognition in neuropsychiatric disorders
de la Torre‐Luque, A., Viera-Campos, A., Bilderbeck, A. C., Carreras, M. T., Vivancos, J., Díaz‐Caneja, C. M., Aghajani, M., Saris, I. M. J., Raslescu, A., Malik, A., et al. (2021) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110463 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Project eARTh: participatory arts and mental health recovery, a qualitative study
Hui, A., Stickley, T., Stubley, M., & Baker, F. (2019) · Perspectives in Public Health · doi:10.1177/1757913918817575 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Omari, O. A., Sabei, S. D. A., Rawajfah, O. A., Sharour, L. M. A., Hashmi, I. A., Qadire, M. I. A., & Khalaf, A. (2021) · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association · doi:10.1177/10783903211017640 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…Shevlin, 2012), belonging to an ethnic minority, being gay or lesbian, having poor health, suffering from cognitive disability or sensory impairment, having reduced mobility, and being male (Age Concern New Zealand, 2020; Ozben, 2013; Smith & Victor, 2019) are examples of predictors of loneliness.”
BackgroundEdberg, A., & Bolmsjö, I. (2019) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/13607 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Loneliness is often related to either physical aspects of life, where a need for closeness and touch are in focus, or to social isolation, where a need for human relationships are in focus [6].”
Zhang, X., Han, H., Lin, Q., Zhuang, J., Ren, Z., Su, Y., & Xia, Y. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192013308 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all countries imposed strict regulations, such as social distancing and movement restrictions [1,2], which had a negative effect on mental health, leading to symptoms such as depression and anxiety [3,4].”
BackgroundKraut, R. E., Li, H. Z., & Zhu, H. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0277562 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Pouso, S., Borja, Á., Fleming, L. E., Gómez‐Baggethun, E., White, M. P., & Uyarra, M. C. (2020) · doi:10.31235/osf.io/gpt3r · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Tsai, T.-Y., Chiu, C., Wang, T., Tseng, H., Chen, K., Chen, P. S., & Yang, Y.-K. (2022) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03824-3 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Although loneliness and social isolation have been linked with depression, cardiovascular disease and declined physical function, when researchers simultaneously examine loneliness and social isolation with health, the results are often mixed [20].”
BackgroundBanerjee, S., & Boro, B. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14329-9 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Evaluation of an intervention targeting loneliness and isolation for older people in North Wales
Roberts, J. R., & Windle, G. (2019) · Perspectives in Public Health · doi:10.1177/1757913919868752 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Health Soc Care Community 2017; 25(3): 799–812.”
BackgroundInfluentialCarrasco, P. M., Crespo, D. P., García, A. I. R., Ibáñez, M. L., Rubio, B. M., & Montenegro-Peña, M. (2024) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-024-01708-7 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Other findings support this data, and in a longitudinal study of 7,032 older adults, those who lived alone and did not feel lonely were less at risk of depressive disorders, chronicity (2 or more chronic diseases), impaired activities of daily living or poor health status [29].”
ResultToze, M., Westwood, S., & Hafford‐Letchfield, T. (2021) · International Journal of Transgender Health · doi:10.1080/26895269.2021.1977210 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Canadian Social Connections: A Thematic Analysis
Lowe, C. T., Rafiq, M., MacKay, L. J., Letourneau, N. L., Ng, C. F., Keown-Gerrard, J., Gilbert, T., & Ross, K. M. (2022) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075221113365 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“This impact may be because lack of access to social connections changes access to resources and influences health behaviours (Levula et al., 2016; Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundRyu, S. I., Park, Y., Kim, J., Huh, I., Chang, S. J., Jang, S., & Noh, E.-Y. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0270260 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Ooi, L. L., Liu, L., Roberts, K. C., Gariépy, G., & Capaldi, C. A. (2023) · Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada · doi:10.24095/hpcdp.43.4.02 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Trajectories of Early Adolescent Loneliness: Implications for Physical Health and Sleep
Eccles, A. M., Qualter, P., Panayiotou, M., Hurley, R., Boivin, M., & Tremblay, R. E. (2020) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-020-01804-3 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Loneliness is related, but distinct from social isolation (Smith and Victor 2019); it is characterised by dissatisfaction with current relationships (Cacioppo and Cacioppo 2014) and a feeling of emotional or physical disconnection from others (Qualter et al. 2015).”
BackgroundSocial isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: a population study
Martínez-Garcia, M., Sansano‐Sansano, E., Castillo-Hornero, A., Femenía, R., Roomp, K., & Oliver, N. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-16628-y · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Loneliness, older people and a proposed social work response
Hagan, R. J. (2020) · Journal of Social Work · doi:10.1177/1468017320927630 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
A latent class analysis of health lifestyles and health outcomes among Chinese older adults
Zhang, L. (2020) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x20001063 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“…as ADL and recurrent falling (see e.g. Peres et al., 2008; Morrow-Howell, 2010; Murtaugh et al., 2010; Peeters et al., 2010; Li et al., 2013; Smith and Victor, 2019); (d) mental health, including physiological wellbeing, depression and cognitive function (see e.g. Wang et al., 2002;…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialVismara, L., Lucarelli, L., & Sechi, C. (2022) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00767-y · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Quite a few studies have demonstrated that loneliness has a negative effect on psychological health [50, 62].”
BackgroundBallesio, A., Zagaria, A., Ottaviani, C., Steptoe, A., & Lombardo, C. (2022) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105770 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Sabatini, S., Martyr, A., Hunt, A., Gamble, L. D., Matthews, F. E., Thom, J. M., Jones, R. W., Allan, L. M., Knapp, M. R. J., Quinn, C., et al. (2024) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-024-04707-w · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Jing, J., Dahlberg, L., Canter, D. V., & Plater-Zyberk, E. (2024) · Health & Social Care in the Community · doi:10.1155/2024/4172682 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Te closer the points were, the more similar their representing places were conceptualised, and vice versa [67].”
BackgroundMethodHong, S., Lee, S., Song, K., Kim, M.-J., Kim, Y., Kim, H., & Kim, H. (2022) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104431 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Social exclusion and social isolation in later life
Huisman, M. A., & van Tilburg, T. G. (2021) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815970-5.00007-3 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Sung, P., Lee, J., & Chan, A. W.-M. (2022) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/08982643221137939 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Email: pildoosung@gmail.com United Kingdom, Smith and Victor (2019) found six social isolation profiles: (1) no loneliness or disconnectedness; (2) moderate loneliness; (3) living alone; (4) moderate disconnectedness; (5) moderate loneliness, living alone; and (6) high loneliness, moderate disconnectedness (with a hig…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialVolunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018
Wu, Z., Chen, X., Zhang, L., Wang, Y., Leeson, G. W., Chen, G., Baker, J. S., & Yue, G. X.-G. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2023.024638 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Han, S. H., Kim, K., & Burr, J. A. (2021) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114081 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Fernández‐Carro, C., & Gumà, J. (2022) · Social Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s11205-022-02885-x · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Although research has repeatedly shown that higher education protects against late-life loneliness (Smith & Victor, 2019), the reasons for this association have remained unexplored.”
BackgroundWorry about debt is related to social loneliness in older adults in the Netherlands
Loibl, C., Drost, M., Huisman, M., Suanet, B., de Bruin, W. B., McNair, S., & Summers, B. (2021) · Ageing & Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x21000325 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Both anxiety and depression are associated with loneliness (O’Luanaigh and Lawlor, 2008; Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundTime- and place-dependent experiences of loneliness in assisted living facilities
Jansson, A. H., Karisto, A., & Pitkälä, K. H. (2019) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x19001211 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Furthermore, it may be difficult for survey data, on which studies are for the most part based, to provide a sufficiently rich and diverse picture of loneliness (Smith and Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundInfluentialZaccaria, D., Cavalli, S., Masotti, B., da Rocha, C. G., von Gunten, A., & Jopp, D. S. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19105940 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Consistent with Smith and Victor’s findings [47], this group may be the least at risk of suffering adverse outcomes of social isolation and loneliness (i.”
BackgroundRelationship Status and Well-Being in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Carotta, C. L., Lavender‐Stott, E. S., Garcia, A. S., & Liu, H. (2022) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x221105242 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Although overlapping features exist between loneliness and social isolation, they are separate constructs (Smith & Victor, 2019).”
BackgroundInfluentialFive ways to wellbeing at the zoo: improving human health and connection to nature
Rose, P. E., & Riley, L. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1258667 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“…mental health (Patel et al., 2007; Tiwari, 2023), in part caused by contemporary challenges to living (Jakovljevic et al., 2020) modern ways of communicating and living (Kelly et al., 2018; Smith and Victor, 2019), and a widespread disconnection with nature and the natural world (Gelsthorpe, 2017).”
Forward, C., Khan, H. T. A., & Fox, P. (2020) · Journal of Women & Aging · doi:10.1080/08952841.2020.1788365 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“In the UK, a third of those aged 80+ years reported they feel lonely on a daily basis (Thomas, 2015) and research have made headlines dubbing Britain the loneliest country in Europe raising concerns regarding the impact this has on individuals’ health (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Orr, 2014; Smith and Victor, 2018).”
Background
- Authors
- SMITH, K. J., & VICTOR, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Brunel University of London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- SMITH, KIMBERLEY J.
- Venue
- Ageing and Society
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2018-04-10
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1709-1730
- ISSN
- 0144-686X (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1779
- OpenAlex
- W2785718018
- Cited by
- 337
- References
- 78
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 61 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 26.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Ageing and Society (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Brunel University Research Archive (BURA) (Brunel University London) (submittedVersion)
- 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, social isolation, living alone, typology, older adults, physical health, mental health, social networks, household composition, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
