Social isolation, loneliness and health among older adults.

TitleSocial isolation, loneliness and health among older adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsCoyle, CE, Dugan, E
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume24
Issue8
Pagination1346-63
Date Published2012 Dec
ISSN Number1552-6887
KeywordsAged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diagnostic Self Evaluation, Female, Health Status, Humans, Logistic Models, Loneliness, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, social isolation
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of social isolation, loneliness and health outcomes among older adults.

METHODS: Using data from the Leave Behind Questionnaire of the Health and Retirement Study (2006 and 2008), (n = 11,825) several indicators of social isolation were scaled and the Hughes 3-Item Loneliness Scale was used. Two measures of health (self-rated health and mental health conditions) were examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Loneliness and social isolation were not highly correlated with one another (r = 0.201, p = 0.000). Loneliness was associated with higher odds of having a mental health problem (OR: 1.17; CI: [1.13, 1.21], p = 0.000); and isolation was associated with higher odds of reporting one's health as being fair/poor (OR:1.39; CI: [1.21, 1.59], p = 0.000).

DISCUSSION: The results suggest that global measures of isolation, that fail to distinguish between social isolation and feelings of loneliness, may not detect the impact on physical and mental health in older adults.

DOI10.1177/0898264312460275
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23006425?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

psychosocial/social isolation/health outcomes/SELF-RATED HEALTH/health Status/mental and emotional health problems/Health behavior/loneliness/Risk factors

Endnote ID

69738

Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key7777
PubMed ID23006425