Generational differences in loneliness and its psychological and sociodemographic predictors: an exploratory and confirmatory machine learning study

Abstract

Background Loneliness is a growing public health issue in the developed world. Among older adults, loneliness is a particular challenge, as the older segment of the population is growing and loneliness is comorbid with many mental as well as physical health issues. Comorbidity and common cause factors make identifying the antecedents of loneliness difficult, however, contemporary machine learning techniques are positioned to tackle this problem. Methods This study analyzed four cohorts of older individuals, split into two age groups – 45–69 and 70–79 – to examine which common psychological and sociodemographic are associated with loneliness at different ages. Gradient boosted modeling, a machine learning technique, and regression models were used to identify and replicate associations with loneliness. Results In all cohorts, higher emotional stability was associated with lower loneliness. In the older group, social circumstances such as living alone were also associated with higher loneliness. In the younger group, extraversion's association with lower loneliness was the only other confirmed relationship. Conclusions Different individual and social factors might underlie loneliness differences in distinct age groups. Machine learning methods have the potential to unveil novel associations between psychological and social variables, particularly interactions, and mental health outcomes.

Benefits of Sexual Activity on Psychological, Relational, and Sexual Health During the COVID-19 Breakout

“…If this last aspect is easily explained by the separation from the partner, the increased risk to be prone to anxiety and/or depression due to the solitude is less understandable, especially in younger people, such as those enrolled in this study. In agreement with our findings, literature data suggest a higher vulnerability in a sizeable part of the population to develop psychopathology, if exposed to loneliness [75] , [76] , [77] , [78] . Hence, we may conclude that the COVID-19-related quarantine has induced a general vulnerability, not only from a general health point of view, but also from a psychological and psychosexological ones.…”

Face covering adherence is positively associated with better mental health and wellbeing: a longitudinal analysis of the CovidLife surveys

“…This study accords with earlier work that found that not adhering to guidance on wearing face coverings can be viewed negatively by others (Betsch et al, 2020). It reveals another side to adherence behaviour: regardless of whether stigmatisation or discomfort felt while wearing a face covering do or do not harm mental health and wellbeing, people who do not wear face coverings have lower mental health than those who do.…”

“…Wearing face coverings in public can protect others from contracting coronavirus infections (Howard et al, 2020), but high uptake is necessary to prevent deaths from COVID-19 (Eikenberry et al, 2020;Howard et al, 2020) and reduce stigma (Betsch et al, 2020), and voluntary policy does not appear to meet these thresholds (Eikenberry et al, 2020). Our findings from the CovidLife Surveys countermand speculation that face coverings may have a negative effect on mental health and wellbeing.…”

“…Loneliness was assessed with a single question asking "How often have you felt lonely during the past week?" (Altschul et al, 2020;Solano, 1980). Loneliness prior to lockdown was assessed with a similar question: "Think back to before COVID-19 measures were introduced (i.e., January 2020), how often did you feel lonely then?"…”

The silent danger of social distancing

“…Unsurprisingly, loneliness also affects psychological well-being, inducing lower self-esteem, higher anger, higher fear of negative evaluation, lower optimism, lower positive mood and higher negative mood (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). Such adverse effects of loneliness may be most pronounced in elderly and diseased subjects, were loneliness is already highest (Altschul, Iveson, & Deary, 2020). In the elderly, loneliness is a robust predictor of cognitive decline with aging and ultimately dementia (Montoliu, Hidalgo, & Salvador, 2019).…”