Influences on Loneliness in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
A widely held stereotype associates old age with social isolation and loneliness. However, only 5% to 15% percent of older adults report frequent loneliness. In this study, we report a meta-analysis of the correlates of loneliness in late adulthood. A U-shaped association between age and loneliness is identified. Quality of social network is correlated more strongly with loneliness, compared to quantity; contacts with friends and neighbors show stronger associations with loneliness, compared to contacts with family members. Being a woman, having low socioeconomic status and low competence, and living in nursing homes were also associated with higher loneliness. Age differences in the association of social contacts and competence with loneliness are investigated as well.
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The study included baseline health measures as covariates because physical and mental health is both an outcome and a predictor of social isolation and loneliness.
“We also included several baseline health measures (chronic conditions, functional status, and depressive symptoms) in analyses, as physical and mental health is not only an outcome of social isolation and loneliness, but also a predictor [6–8].”
The study included socio-demographic variables as covariates given their known relationship with social isolation and loneliness.
“Several socio-demographic variables were included in the analyses, given their known relationship with social isolation and loneliness [6–8,53,54].”
Living alone is not necessarily indicative of loneliness; many older adults who live alone report frequent social contact and active social involvement in community organizations.
“research with older adults demonstrates that living alone is not necessarily indicative of loneliness, with many who live alone reporting frequent social contact and active social involvement in community organizations [8].”
From Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis (2016) · cites this paper as [8]
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- Authors
- Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S.
- ORCID
- Pinquart, Martin
- Venue
- Basic and Applied Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2001-12
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 245-266
- ISSN
- 0197-3533 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-4834
- OpenAlex
- W4233280328
- Cited by
- 1,036
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 68 · 2025: 81 · 2024: 87 · 2023: 101 · 2022: 115 · 2021: 105 · 2020: 81 · 2019: 63 · 2018: 62 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 0.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Basic and Applied Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Psychological Association
- 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, older adults, old age, social networks, social isolation, age differences, gender differences, socioeconomic status, self-efficacy, nursing home residents, family and friend contact, age stereotypes
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