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Are Loneliness and Social Isolation Associated with Quality of Life in Older Adults? Insights from Northern and Southern Europe

Author

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  • Giorgi Beridze

    (Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet-Stockholm University, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Alba Ayala

    (National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Oscar Ribeiro

    (Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas

    (Institute of Economics, Geography and Demography (IEGD), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28037 Madrid, Spain)

  • Carmen Rodríguez-Blázquez

    (National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    The Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain)

  • Vicente Rodríguez-Rodríguez

    (Institute of Economics, Geography and Demography (IEGD), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28037 Madrid, Spain)

  • Fermina Rojo-Pérez

    (Institute of Economics, Geography and Demography (IEGD), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28037 Madrid, Spain)

  • Maria João Forjaz

    (Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga

    (Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet-Stockholm University, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
    Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Purpose: Loneliness and social isolation have detrimental effects on health in old age; however, the prospective associations with quality of life (QoL) remain unclear. Furthermore, despite the existence of a European north-south gradient in the distribution of loneliness and social isolation, little is known whether the associations are context-specific. We investigated the relationships between loneliness, social isolation and QoL of older adults residing in the North (Sweden) and South (Spain) of Europe. Methods: Study sample consisted of 2995 Swedish and 4154 Spanish older adults who participated in waves six and seven of the Study on Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Loneliness and social isolation were measured at the baseline, and QoL was measured at the baseline and follow-up using CASP-12. Prospective associations were assessed via multivariate linear regression. Results: In Sweden, subjects with higher vs. lower loneliness had 1.01 (95% CI: −1.55, −0.40) units lower QoL, while every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.27 (95% CI: −0.42, −0.09)-unit decrease in QoL. In Spain, every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.66 (95% CI: −1.11, −0.22)-unit decrease in QoL. The association was stronger in subjects aged ≤65 years old and those with no chronic diseases. The association with loneliness was not statistically significant in Spain. Conclusion: Loneliness and social isolation are prospectively associated with decreased QoL among older adults, yet the associations are contextually bound. Future interventions should target both exposures, among others, in order to increase QoL in this group.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgi Beridze & Alba Ayala & Oscar Ribeiro & Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas & Carmen Rodríguez-Blázquez & Vicente Rodríguez-Rodríguez & Fermina Rojo-Pérez & Maria João Forjaz & Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga, 2020. "Are Loneliness and Social Isolation Associated with Quality of Life in Older Adults? Insights from Northern and Southern Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8637-:d:448532
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tanskanen, J. & Anttila, T., 2016. "A prospective study of social isolation, loneliness, and mortality in Finland," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(11), pages 2042-2048.
    2. Howard Litwin, 2010. "Social Networks and Well-being: A Comparison of Older People in Mediterranean and Non-Mediterranean Countries," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(5), pages 599-608.
    3. Allin, S. & Masseria, C. & Mossialos, E., 2009. "Measuring socioeconomic differences in use of health care services by wealth versus by income," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(10), pages 1849-1855.
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