Loneliness as a gender-specific predictor of physical and mental health-related quality of life in older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older persons is influenced by physical and mental health, as well as by their social contacts and social support. Older women and men have disparate types of social networks; they each value social ties differently and experience loneliness in unique and personal ways. The aim of this study is, therefore, to determine the longitudinal association between loneliness and social isolation with HRQOL in older people-separated by gender.

Methods

Data stem from the third and fourth follow-up of the ESTHER study-a population-based cohort study of the older population in Germany. A sample of 2171 older women and men (mean age: 69.3 years, range 57-84 years) were included in this study; HRQOL was assessed by using the Short Form-12 q

SUBMITTER: Boehlen FH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188519 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature