“Being all alone makes me sad”: loneliness in older adults with depressive symptoms

Abstract

BackgroundThe consequences of co-occuring persistent loneliness and late life depression are yet

The Impact of Loneliness on Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction Among Older, Sicker Adults

“…In these studies, measures and definitions of QOL were not consistent; however, results generally indicated that loneliness decreased QOL (Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Golden et al, 2009; Lim & Kua, 2011; Taube et al, 2014; van Beljouw et al, 2014). In addition, the impact of loneliness on patient satisfaction with medical services (e.g., physician or insurance plans) has not been examined, although several studies have shown that anxiety decreases patient satisfaction specifically with mental health services (Hundt et al, 2013; Stein et al, 2011).…”

“…Loneliness is generally defined as a discrepancy between an individual’s desired and actual social relationships, whether in their quality or quantity (Aartsen & Jylha, 2011; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Luo, Hawkley, Waite, & Cacioppo, 2012; van Beljouw et al, 2014). While not an experience unique to old age, loneliness is common among older adults, with 12% to 46% reporting at least some level of loneliness (Aartsen & Jylha, 2011; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Ellwardt, Aartsen, Deeg, & Steverink, 2013; Golden et al, 2009; Hawkley, Thisted, Masi, & Cacioppo, 2010; Holwerda et al, 2014; Lim & Kua, 2011; Netz, Goldsmith, Shimony, Arnon, & Zeev, 2013; Perissinotto, Cenzer, & Covinsky, 2012; Steptoe, Shankar, Demakakos, & Wardle, 2013; Victor & Bowling, 2012; van Beljouw et al, 2014).…”

“…While not an experience unique to old age, loneliness is common among older adults, with 12% to 46% reporting at least some level of loneliness (Aartsen & Jylha, 2011; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Ellwardt, Aartsen, Deeg, & Steverink, 2013; Golden et al, 2009; Hawkley, Thisted, Masi, & Cacioppo, 2010; Holwerda et al, 2014; Lim & Kua, 2011; Netz, Goldsmith, Shimony, Arnon, & Zeev, 2013; Perissinotto, Cenzer, & Covinsky, 2012; Steptoe, Shankar, Demakakos, & Wardle, 2013; Victor & Bowling, 2012; van Beljouw et al, 2014). Loneliness among older adults is a concern of many countries around the world and has been documented in research studies in the United States (Hawkley et al, 2010; Perissinotto et al, 2012), the United Kingdom (Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Steptoe et al, 2013), Ireland (McHugh & Lawlor, 2013; Schnittger, Wherton, Prendergast, & Lawlor, 2012), France (Amieva et al, 2010), Norway (Aanes, Hetland, Pallesen, & Mittelmark, 2011), the Netherlands (Ellwardt et al, 2013; van Beljouw et al, 2014), Finland (Aartsen & Jylha, 2011), Sweden (Taube, Kristensson, Sandberg, Midlov, & Jakobsson, 2014), Singapore (Lim & Kua, 2011), and Israel (Netz et al, 2013). Although estimates of loneliness vary due to differences in older populations studied as well as measures and definitions of loneliness used, prevalence rates for loneliness are remarkably consistent and stable over time across the scientific literature (Cacioppo, Hughes, Waite, Hawkley, & Thistel, 2006; Hawkley et al, 2010; Victor & Bowling, 2012).…”

“…Characteristics associated with loneliness generally include older age, widowhood/single status, lower income, poor health, functional limitations, hearing or vision impairments, depression, cognitive impairment, and loss of social networks/support (Aartsen & Jylha, 2011; Cacioppo et al, 2006; Cohen-Mansfield & Parpura-Gill, 2007; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Golden et al, 2009; Hawkley et al, 2010; Lim & Kua, 2011; Netz et al, 2013; Perissinotto et al, 2012; Pronk et al, 2011; Schnittger et al, 2012; Steptoe et al, 2013; Taube et al, 2014; van Beljouw et al, 2014; Victor & Bowling, 2012). Clinical outcomes associated with loneliness include depression, reduced sleep quality, increased blood pressure, physical inactivity, functional decline, cognitive impairment, and increased mortality (Aanes et al, 2011; Amieva et al, 2010; Buchman et al, 2010; Cacioppo et al, 2006; Cohen-Mansfield & Parpura-Gill, 2007; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Ellwardt et al, 2013; Hawkley et al, 2010; Holwerda et al, 2014; Lim & Kua, 2011; Luo et al, 2012; McHugh & Lawlor, 2013; Netz et al, 2013; Perissinotto et al, 2012; Steptoe et al, 2013; Taube et al, 2014; van Beljouw et al, 2014; Victor & Bowling, 2012).…”

“…Clinical outcomes associated with loneliness include depression, reduced sleep quality, increased blood pressure, physical inactivity, functional decline, cognitive impairment, and increased mortality (Aanes et al, 2011; Amieva et al, 2010; Buchman et al, 2010; Cacioppo et al, 2006; Cohen-Mansfield & Parpura-Gill, 2007; Dahlberg & McKee, 2014; Ellwardt et al, 2013; Hawkley et al, 2010; Holwerda et al, 2014; Lim & Kua, 2011; Luo et al, 2012; McHugh & Lawlor, 2013; Netz et al, 2013; Perissinotto et al, 2012; Steptoe et al, 2013; Taube et al, 2014; van Beljouw et al, 2014; Victor & Bowling, 2012). Directionality and causality for the associations of various health indicators with loneliness are not always consistent in the literature.…”