Dataset Information

Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

ABSTRACT: A substantial portion of the older adult population suffers from frequent feelings of loneliness, but a large proportion remains relatively unscathed by loneliness. To date, research examining both protective and risk factors for loneliness has not included data from the United States. The present study used the first two waves of data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to examine sociodemographic, structural, and functional factors thought to be associated with loneliness in older adults. Functional limitations and low family support were associated with an increase in loneliness frequency (as were more strained friendships) and with transitioning from nonlonely to lonely status. Better self-rated health, higher levels of socializing frequency, and lower family strain were associated with transitioning from lonely to nonlonely status. Interventions that target these factors may be effective in preventing and reducing loneliness and its effects on health and well-being in older adults.

SUBMITTER: Hawkley LC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6355458 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

Hawkley Louise C LC Kocherginsky Masha M

Research on aging 20170317 4

A substantial portion of the older adult population suffers from frequent feelings of loneliness, but a large proportion remains relatively unscathed by loneliness. To date, research examining both protective and risk factors for loneliness has not included data from the United States. The present study used the first two waves of data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to examine sociodemographic, structural, and functional factors thought to be associated with loneliness ...[more]

PMID: 29519211

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Project description:BackgroundFrailty is a growing concern among the aging population. Due to their vulnerability and reduced physiological reserves, frail older adults face an increased risk of functional decline and loss of independence. In frail older adults, the concept of healthy aging emphasizes maintaining independence, functionality, and a high quality of life despite frailty and other age-related challenges.ObjectiveGrounded in the multidimensional model of healthy aging and aging-related resilience theory, we aimed to propose and test a hypothesized model. The model included exogenous variables (cognitive and physical function, perceived health) and mediators (resilience, social support, and daily activity) as influencing factors of healthy aging among frail older adults.MethodsThe cross-sectional study was conducted in South Korea using a national survey of 505 frail older adults living in the community. The sample was representative across age groups, sex, and regional distributions. A structural equation modeling was employed to test a hypothesized model, examining both direct and indirect effects of influencing factors on healthy aging. Data were collected between October and December 2023 and analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0.ResultsA total of 505 frail older adults with an average age of 74 participated in the study. The hypothesized model demonstrated a good fit with the data. The exogenous variables and mediators accounted for 43 % of the variance in healthy aging. Resilience, cognitive function, and perceived health had significant direct and indirect effects on healthy aging. Daily activity also had a significant direct effect on healthy aging. Social support, while not directly affecting healthy aging, exerted a significant indirect effect through daily activity. Similarly, physical function influenced healthy aging indirectly via daily activity. The model was tested after controlling for age, sex (ref=male), economic status, and years of education. Among these confounding variables, economic status was a significant influencing factor in healthy aging (β = 0.14, p = 0.016).ConclusionCognitive and physical function, alongside resilience and social support as mediators, significantly associated with healthy aging in frail older adults through daily activity. Health promotion strategies could focus on resilience and social support to empower individuals and strengthen social connectedness, thereby supporting independence in daily life and healthy aging. Further, we need to explore diverse social and cultural activities associated with healthy aging in this population to expand the definition of active aging.

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Dataset Information

Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

Publications

Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

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