Late-Life Loneliness in 11 European Countries: Results from the Generations and Gender Survey

Abstract

This study explores country differences in late-life loneliness in Europe among men and women and establishes the role of micro-level differences in socioeconomic status, health, and social variables in these patterns. We use cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the Generations and Gender Survey. The analysis comprises 33,832 Europeans aged 60-80 from 11 countries. A six-item short version of the de JongGierveld Scale is used to measure loneliness, yet we employ a different method of calculating loneliness scores than in prior work. Findings show considerable between-country heterogeneity in late-life loneliness, especially among women. The rate of a quite severe level of loneliness is 30-55 % among men and women in Eastern Europe, compared with 10-20 % among their peers in Western and Northern Europe. Loneliness is strongly associated with lower socioeconomic status, poorer health, and not having a partner. More than half of the country variance in loneliness is mediated by health, partnership status, and socioeconomic disparities across countries. Differences in societal wealth and welfare and cultural norms may account for some of the unexplained country variance in loneliness.

The relationship between wealth and loneliness among older people across Europe: Is social participation protective?

“…In our Europe-wide study, the least advantaged groups experienced higher levels of loneliness and participated less in social activities, concurring with previous research (Bosma et al, 2015;de Jong Gierveld et al, 2015;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015;McMunn et al, 2009). This suggests that a lack of financial resources may constrain some individuals from fully participating in society, which may lead to loneliness and social isolation among those who are already at risk via a number of different pathways, including poor health and widowhood.…”

“…Loneliness is influenced by a myriad of factors including age, marital status, social networks and participation, functional limitations and mental health (Aartsen and Jylha, 2011;Bosma et al, 2015;Cacioppo et al, 2010;Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). Loneliness affects individuals of any age (Yang and Victor, 2011), but older people are particularly susceptible as a result of losing close friends and relatives, as well as the increased prevalence of limiting health conditions.…”

“…Loneliness affects individuals of any age (Yang and Victor, 2011), but older people are particularly susceptible as a result of losing close friends and relatives, as well as the increased prevalence of limiting health conditions. Gender differences in loneliness exist; older women frequently report higher levels of loneliness compared to men (Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). These differences are largely explained by health status, living arrangements and socioeconomic position (Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015).…”

“…Gender differences in loneliness exist; older women frequently report higher levels of loneliness compared to men (Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). These differences are largely explained by health status, living arrangements and socioeconomic position (Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). Gender may also moderate the influence of particular risk factors for loneliness.…”

“…A disadvantaged socioeconomic position is linked with loneliness (Aylaz et al, 2012;Bosma et al, 2015;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015;Victor et al, 2005), but in general, studies have rarely adopted an inequalities lens. Socioeconomic inequalities in loneliness may arise via a number of pathways.…”