Longitudinal associations between loneliness, social isolation, and healthcare utilisation trajectories: a latent growth curve analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To explore the longitudinal associations between eight-year trajectories of loneliness, social isolation and healthcare utilisation (i.e. inpatient, outpatient, and nursing home care) in US older adults.

Methods

The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study in 2006-2018, which included a nationally representative sample of American adults aged 50 and above (N = 6,832). We conducted latent growth curve models to assess the associations between trajectories of loneliness and isolation and healthcare utilisation over 8 years.

Results

Independent of sociodemographic and health-related confounders, social deficits were associated with a lower likelihood of baseline physician visits (loneliness β= -0.15, SE = 0.08; social isolation β= -0.19, SE = 0.08), b

SUBMITTER: Gao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11464645 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature