Comparing loneliness in England and the United States, 2014-2016: Differential item functioning and risk factor prevalence and impact.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to compare mean levels of loneliness, and correlates of loneliness, among older adults in the U.S. and England. Comparisons are conducted after attending to comparability of the loneliness measure between countries based on tests for discriminatory capacity and differential item functioning of the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Cross-sectional data from the 2015-16 wave of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) and the 2014-2015 wave of the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) were analyzed using graded item response models and multiple indicators and multiple causes (MIMIC) models. Risk factors included demographic variables, health characteristics, and social characteristics that were harmonized across surveys. Because of differences

SUBMITTER: Hawkley LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7577322 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature