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Cited by 730Health disparities and outcomesAging, Health, and DisabilityAging and Gerontology Research

Being alone in later life: Loneliness, social isolation and living alone

Open access
Victor, Christina, Scambler, Sasha, Bond, John, Bowling, Ann·2000·Reviews in Clinical Gerontology
DOI 10.1017/s0959259800104101
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Abstract

Introduction The context for the review of loneliness and social isolation in later life is that of ‘successful aging’ and ‘quality of life’. The term ‘quality of life‘ includes a broad range of areas of life and there is little agreement about the definition of the term. Models of quality of life range from identification of ‘life satisfaction’ or ‘social wellbeing’ to models based upon concepts of independence, control, and social and cognitive competence. However, regardless of how the concept of quality of life is defined, research has consistently demonstrated the importance of social and family relationships in the definition of a ‘good quality of life’.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0959259800104101

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35 of 35 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Social isolation, loneliness, and social activity were controlled for.

    “Social isolation, loneliness, and social activity were also controlled for as these factors have been associated with living alone (Victor et al., 2000(Victor et al., , 2005) ) and with cognitive function (DiNapoli et al., 2014;Ellwardt et al., 2013;Gerst-Emerson et al., 2014;Gow et al., 2013;Shankar et al., 2013;Zunzunegui et al., 2003).”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Victor et al., 2000

  • Older people face changes in their social environments and as a result may be at greater risk of social isolation and feelings of loneliness.

    “Older people face changes in their social environments and as a result may be at greater risk of social isolation and feelings of loneliness (Finlay & Kobayashi, 2018;Klinenberg, 2016;Victor, Scambler, Bond, & Bowling, 2000).”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Victor et al., 2000

  • Living alone, social isolation, and loneliness are distinct concepts and living alone does not necessarily mean that an individual will be isolated, feel lonely, or engage in less social activity.

    “Living alone, social isolation, and loneliness are distinct concepts and living alone does not necessarily mean that an individual will be isolated, feel lonely, or engage in less social activity (Klinenberg, 2016;Victor et al., 2000).”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Victor et al., 2000

  • In later life, social networks are likely to reduce in size due to the increasing independence of adult children, the death of close social contacts, and the increased selectivity of social interactions with age.

    “In later life, social networks are likely to reduce in size due to the increasing independence of adult children, the death of close social contacts, and the increased selectivity of social interactions with age (Baltes & Baltes, 1990;Bordone & Weber, 2012;Carstensen, 1992;de Jong Gierveld & Havens, 2004;Fredrickson & Carstensen, 1990;Freund & Baltes, 1998;Victor et al., 2000).”

    From Living alone and cognitive function in later life (2019) · cites this paper as Victor et al., 2000

  • Unhealthy eating and loneliness negatively influence quality of life in older age.

    “Unhealthy eating and loneliness negatively influence quality of life (QoL) in older age [1,2].”

    From Use and Effect of Web-Based Embodied Conversational Agents for Improving Eating Behavior and Decreasing Loneliness Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (2021) · cites this paper as [2]

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Authors
Victor, C., Scambler, S., Bond, J., & Bowling, A.
Affiliations
  • St George's Hospital (GB)
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • University College London (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2000-11
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
407-417
ISSN
  • 0959-2598 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-9036
DOI
10.1017/s0959259800104101
OpenAlex
W2123162645
Cited by
730
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 89 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 23
FWCI
2.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 125 d)
Locations
  • Reviews in Clinical Gerontology (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
  • Research Repository (Kingston University London) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Keywords
loneliness, social isolation, living alone, old age, successful aging, quality of life, interpersonal relationships, family relationships, older adults

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