Age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age

Luhmann, Maike; Hawkley, Louise C.

doi:10.1037/dev0000117

Cited by 758Health disparities and outcomesAging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Health, and Disability

Age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age

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Luhmann, Maike, Hawkley, Louise C.·2016·Developmental Psychology

DOI 10.1037/dev0000117PMC PMC8015413

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Abstract

Contrary to common stereotypes, loneliness is not restricted to old age but can occur at any life stage. In this study, we used data from a large, nationally representative German study (N = 16,132) to describe and explain age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age. The age distribution of loneliness followed a complex nonlinear trajectory, with elevated loneliness levels among young adults and among the oldest old. The late-life increase in loneliness could be explained by lower income levels, higher prevalence of functional limitations, and higher proportion of singles in this age group. Consistent with an age-normative perspective, the association of income, relationship status, household size, and work status with loneliness differed between different age groups. In contrast, indicators of the quantity of social relationships (social engagement, number of friends, contact frequency) were universally associated with loneliness regardless of age. Overall, these findings show that sources of loneliness in older adults are well understood. Future research should focus on understanding the specific sources of loneliness in middle-aged adults. (PsycINFO Database Record

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According to earlier studies, loneliness scores rise in later life and are primarily explained by the high prevalence of functional limitations.
“According to earlier studies, loneliness scores rise in later life and are primarily explained by the high prevalence of functional limitations [20].”
From Factors associated with loneliness in a national study among persons 80 years and older in India in 2017-2018 (2025) · cites this paper as [20]
The Results section says loneliness is higher among the oldest old and that their higher prevalence of functional limitations partly explains this. The Discussion calls it a significant part of the late-life increase, not the primary explanation; the paper also identifies lower income and a higher proportion of single people as contributors. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Authors: Luhmann, M., & Hawkley, L. C.
Affiliations: University of Cologne (DE)
University of Chicago (US)
ORCID: Luhmann, Maike
Hawkley, Louise C.
Venue: Developmental Psychology
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2016-06
Volume: 52
Issue: 6
Pages: 943-959
ISSN: 0012-1649 (ISSN-L)
1939-0599
DOI: 10.1037/dev0000117
PMC: PMC8015413
OpenAlex: W2402676363
Cited by: 758
References: 57
Citations by year: 2026: 83 · 2025: 98 · 2024: 105 · 2023: 93 · 2022: 114 · 2021: 110 · 2020: 73 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 3
FWCI: 35.20
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: Developmental Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Aging (R01AG033903, R01AG043538)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords: loneliness, age differences, life course, late adolescence, early adulthood, oldest old, income, functional limitations, relationship status, social engagement, interpersonal relationships, middle-aged adults
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cross-Sectional Studies, Employment, Female, Germany, Health Status, Humans, Income, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Characteristics, Marital Status, Nonlinear Dynamics, Friends, Young Adult

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Age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age

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