The effect of loneliness on depression: A meta-analysis

Erzen, Evren; Çıkrıkçı, Özkan

doi:10.1177/0020764018776349

Cited by 536 publications

(380 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Women reported feelings of loneliness more often than men, as has been found earlier [41], but the association with psychological distress was equal in both genders. Previous studies have shown that loneliness is a signi cant risk factor for depression [94] and other common mental disorders [43] as well as for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts [95]. Furthermore, loneliness is associated with an increased risk of many health problems [95], and it has been increasingly seen as an important public health problem [96].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study

Viertiö¹,

Kiviruusu²,

Piirtola³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundPsychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences.MethodsWe used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.ResultsWomen reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).ConclusionsSatisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study

Viertiö¹,

Kiviruusu²,

Piirtola³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Women reported feelings of loneliness more often than men, as has been found earlier [41], but the association with psychological distress was equal in both genders. Previous studies have shown that loneliness is a signi cant risk factor for depression [91] and other common mental disorders [43] as well as for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts [92]. Furthermore, loneliness is associated with an increased risk of many health problems [92], and it has been increasingly seen as an important public health problem [93].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Contributing to Psychological Distress in the Working Population, With A Special Reference to Gender Difference - A Population-Based Study

Viertiö

Kiviruusu

Piirtola

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundPsychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under 18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).Conclusions Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.

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“…Three meta-analyses focused on studies with children and adolescents. [28][29][30] The included meta-analyses based on cross-sectional designs reported a significant positive association between social isolation and late-life suicidal ideation, 31 depression in adults, 32 late life depression, 26 psychosis, 28,33,34 smoking behavior in adolescents, 29 depression and social anxiety in childhood and adolescence, 28,30 and social anxiety disorder in adults. 35 The meta-analyses based on longitudinal studies suggest that social isolation is associated with higher risk of depression in adults, 36 post-acute coronary syndrome depression, 37 and dementia and cognitive impairment in later life.…”

Section: Selection and Characteristics Of Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health. A rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social isolation and health

Morina

Kip

Hoppen

et al. 2020

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Background: The imperative for physical distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may deteriorate physical and mental health. We aimed at summarizing the strength of evidence in the published literature on the association of social isolation and loneliness with physical and mental health. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in April 2020 to identify meta-analyses using the Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy included terms of social isolation, loneliness, living alone, and meta-analysis. Eligible meta-analyses needed to report any sort of association between an indicator of social isolation and any physical or mental health outcome. The findings were summarized in a narrative synthesis. Results: Twenty-five meta-analyses met our criteria, of which 10 focused on physical health and 15 on mental health outcomes. A total of more than 3 million individuals had participated in the 692 primary studies. The results suggest that social isolation is associated with chronic physical symptoms, frailty, coronary heart disease, malnutrition, hospital readmission, reduced vaccine uptake, early mortality, depression, social anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment in later life, and suicidal ideation. Conclusions: The existing evidence clearly indicates that social isolation is associated with a range of poor physical and mental health outcomes. A potential negative impact on these outcomes needs to be considered in future decisions on physical distancing measures.

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The effect of loneliness on depression: A meta-analysis

Abstract: According to the results of the research, loneliness may be said to be a significant variable affecting depression. The findings obtained are discussed in light of the literature.

Cited by 536 publications

References 71 publications

Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study

Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study

Factors Contributing to Psychological Distress in the Working Population, With A Special Reference to Gender Difference - A Population-Based Study

A potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health. A rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social isolation and health

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