Alone in the Crowd: The Structure and Spread of Loneliness in a Large Social Network

Cacioppo, John T.; Fowler, James H.; Christakis, Nicholas A.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1319108

Cited by 180 publications

(258 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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238

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“…However, the significant direct effect of cognition on loneliness is inconsistent with some previous studies reporting that discrete cognitive domains, not global cognitive function, predicted loneliness (O'Luanaigh et al, 2012;Schnittger et al, 2012) and that baseline cognition was not associated with later loneliness (Wilson et al, 2007). Besides less engagement in social activities due to diminished cognition, we also consider reduced social network size resulting from cognitive impairment as an alternative explanation for this reverse relationship (Alspach, 2013;Cacioppo, Fowler, & Christakis, 2009).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Zhong

Chen

et al. 2016

GERONB

220

191

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Objectives: To examine the relationship between loneliness and cognitive function and to explore the mediating role of physical health on the loneliness-cognition relationship in Chinese older adults (OAs). Method: Data came from a nationally representative sample of 14,199 Chinese OAs (aged 65+) from 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A latent variable cross-lagged panel model combined with mediation analysis was used to determine the relationship between loneliness and cognitive function and the mediating effect of increase in the number of chronic conditions (ΔNCCs) on the ascertained loneliness-cognition relationship. Results: Severe loneliness at prior assessment points was significantly associated with poorer cognitive function at subsequent assessments, and vice versa. The ΔNCCs partially mediated this prospective reciprocal relationships, accounting for 2.58% of the total effect of loneliness on cognition and 4.44% of the total effect of cognition on loneliness, respectively. Discussion: Loneliness may predict subsequent cognitive decline, and vice versa. This loneliness-cognition relationship is partially explained by their impact on physical health. Multidisciplinary interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and cognitive decline per se and their associated risk factors as well as improving chronic illness management would be beneficial for emotional well-being and cognitive health in OAs.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 90%

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Zhong

Chen

et al. 2016

GERONB

220

191

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“…In secondary school in particular, when students reach adolescence, the influence of their peer group becomes increasingly important and therefore these results may be considered even more dramatic in that context. In general, self-perceived social participation levels as reported in this study lead to the assumption that there is a serious need for intervention, especially with regard to the negative effects of feeling lonely (see, for example, Cacioppo et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Evaluation of a short version of the Illinois Loneliness and Social Satisfaction Scale in a sample of students with and without special educational needs – an empirical study with primary and secondary students in Austria

Schwab¹

2015

British J Special Edu

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The first aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of a short version of the Illinois Loneliness and Social Satisfaction Scale with children with special educational needs. The second aim was to explore loneliness in relation to self‐perceived social integration, school well‐being and the social self‐concept of students from primary and secondary schools, in both inclusive and regular classes. This study had 1,115 student participants (408 fourth graders and 707 seventh graders), of whom 126 were diagnosed as having special educational needs. Factor analyses confirmed a unidimensional latent factor structure. The scale showed satisfactory reliability and the validity coefficients indicated that the scale is suitable for surveys including students with special educational needs. Generally speaking, the level of self‐rated loneliness is low. Nevertheless, students with special educational needs in inclusive classes felt significantly lonelier than students without special educational needs in inclusive classes.

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“…Prior studies show that loneliness is associated with greater risk of physical health conditions such as obesity, vascular resistance, diminished immunity, alcoholism, and mortality in adults (see Cacioppo, Fowler, and Christakis 2009;Heinrich and Gullone 2006). There are several studies reporting that childhood loneliness is also linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and major depressive disorder in adulthood (Cacioppo, Hawkley, and Thisted 2010;Caspi et al 2006;Danese et al 2009).…”

Section: Health Consequences Of Lonelinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescent Loneliness and Health in Early Adulthood

Goosby

Bellatorre

Walsemann

et al. 2013

Sociological Inquiry

120

102

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The health consequence of loneliness in the early life course is an understudied topic in the sociological literature. Using data from Waves 1–3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we examine pre‐disease pathways in the relationship between adolescent loneliness and early adult health. Our results indicate that loneliness during adolescence is associated with diagnosed depression, poorer adult self‐rated health, and metabolic risk factors related to cardiovascular disease. High depressive symptoms and parent support are important pathways through which the health consequences of loneliness are exacerbated or offset. There is also evidence that lonely youth remain at higher risk for experiencing adult depression and poor self‐rated health even in the presence of equivalent levels of parental support relative to non‐lonely adolescents. Furthermore, lonely adolescent females are more vulnerable to reporting poor adult self‐rated health and being overweight or obese in adulthood. In sum, our study demonstrates the importance of adolescent loneliness for elevating the risk of poor health outcomes in adulthood.

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Alone in the Crowd: The Structure and Spread of Loneliness in a Large Social Network

Cited by 180 publications

References 82 publications

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Evaluation of a short version of the Illinois Loneliness and Social Satisfaction Scale in a sample of students with and without special educational needs – an empirical study with primary and secondary students in Austria

Adolescent Loneliness and Health in Early Adulthood

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