High prevalence and adverse health effects of loneliness in community-dwelling adults across the lifespan: role of wisdom as a protective factor. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Ellen E.; Depp, Colin; Palmer, Barton W.; Glorioso, Danielle; Daly, Rebecca; Liu, Jinyuan; Tu, Xin M.; Kim, Ho-Cheol; Tarr, Peri; Yamada, Yasunori; Jeste, Dilip V.
• Is Part Of: International psychogeriatrics. Volume 31:Number 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1447
• Page End: 1462
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: aging, -- gender differences, -- resilience, -- depression, -- anxiety; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9768905
• DOI: 10.1017/S1041610218002120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-6102

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study of loneliness across adult lifespan examined its associations with sociodemographics, mental health (positive and negative psychological states and traits), subjective cognitive complaints, and physical functioning. Design: Analysis of cross-sectional data Participants: 340 community-dwelling adults in San Diego, California, mean age 62 (SD = 18) years, range 27–101 years, who participated in three community-based studies. Measurements: Loneliness measures included UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-3), 4-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Social Isolation Scale, and a single-item measure from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale. Other measures included the San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE) and Medical Outcomes Survey- Short form 36. Results: Seventy-six percent of subjects had moderate-high levels of loneliness on UCLA-3, using standardized cut-points. Loneliness was correlated with worse mental health and inversely with positive psychological states/traits. Even moderate severity of loneliness was associated with worse mental and physical functioning. Loneliness severity and age had a complex relationship, with increased loneliness in the late-20s, mid-50s, and late-80s. There were no sex differences in loneliness prevalence, severity, and age relationships. The best-fit multiple regression model accounted for 45% of the variance in UCLA-3 scores, and three factors emerged with small-medium effect sizes: wisdom, living alone and mental well-being. Conclusions: The alarmingly high prevalence of loneliness and its association with worse health-related measures underscore major challenges for society. The non-linear age-loneliness severity relationship deserves further study. The strong negative association of wisdom with loneliness highlights the potentially critical role of wisdom as a target for psychosocial/behavioral interventions to reduce loneliness. Building a wiser society may help us develop a more connected, less lonely, and happier society.