The role of social network structure and function in moderate and severe social and emotional loneliness: The Dutch SaNAE study in older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loneliness is a serious public health problem. This became even more visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the key social network aspects contributing to loneliness remain unknown. Here, we evaluated social network structure and function and associations with (moderate/severe) social and emotional loneliness in older adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study includes online questionnaire data (SaNAE cohort, August-November 2020), in independently living Dutch adults aged 40 years and older. For the separate outcomes of social and emotional loneliness, associations with structural social network aspects (e.g., network diversity - having various types of relationships, and density - network members who know each other), and functional social network aspects (i

SUBMITTER: Steijvers LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10788429 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature