Loneliness and social support of older people in China: a systematic literature review
Abstract
Loneliness is a serious problem for older people, which can be alleviated by social support. The dramatic population ageing together with social and economic change in China increases the likelihood of loneliness and the availability of different sources of social support of older people. The aim of this review was to identify the prevalence of loneliness and its related factors and sources of social support of older people in China. Electronic literature searches were conducted in September 2011 using Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, China Academic Journal and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals. Twenty-six papers were identified and reviewed. The prevalence of loneliness varied across the studies, reflecting the different measurements and samples. Marital status, gender, age, educational level, economic level, living arrangements, health status and social support were significant factors related to loneliness. The family was the most important source of social support followed by friends. The receipt of family support improved subjective well-being and mental health, but the effects of support from friends were inconsistent. Chinese older people received relatively little support from neighbours, governmental or other social organisations. Further well-designed studies are needed to identify additional factors related to loneliness and to understand the support from friends, neighbours, formal organisations and other sources.
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Social support plays a central role in enhancing psychosocial outcomes among diverse age groups and populations, serving as an intermediary element in the connection between loneliness and a range of health consequences, such as depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and overall psychological wellness.
“Indeed, social support plays a central role in enhancing psychosocial outcomes among diverse age groups and populations, serving as an intermediary element in the connection between loneliness and a range of health consequences, such as depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and overall psychological wellness (Chen et al., 2014;Harandi et al., 2017;Hutten et al., 2021;Liu et al., 2016;Wan Mohd Az”
From The relationship between social media use and psychosocial outcomes in older adults: A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Chen et al., 2014
The relative importance of the quality versus the quantity of social relationships with respect to this association may vary depending on whether they are between family or friends.
“The relative importance of the quality versus the quantity of such social relationships with respect to this association may vary depending on whether they are between family or friends 23-25 .”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as [24]
The overview found an association (+) between loneliness and general health and wellbeing, supported by one review or multiple lower quality reviews.
“| General health & wellbeing (Aminzadeh & Dalziel 2002, Annear et al 2014, Chen et al 2014, Pinquart & Sorensen 2000) | + | + | |”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as Chen et al 2014
The overview found an association (+) between social isolation and general health and wellbeing, supported by one review or multiple lower quality reviews.
“| General health & wellbeing (Aminzadeh & Dalziel 2002, Annear et al 2014, Chen et al 2014, Pinquart & Sorensen 2000) | + | + | |”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as Chen et al 2014
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- Authors
- Chen, Y., Hicks, A., & While, A. E.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- Venue
- Health & Social Care in the Community
- Publisher
- Hindawi Limited
- Published
- 2013-05-28
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 113-123
- ISSN
- 0966-0410 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2027019492
- Cited by
- 229
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Health & Social Care in the Community (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- loneliness, social support, older adults, China, population aging, family support, friends, living arrangements, marital status, subjective well-being, mental health, prevalence of loneliness, risk factors
- MeSH terms
- Aged, China, Humans, Loneliness, Risk Factors, Social Support, Prevalence
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