The longitudinal association between loneliness and depressive symptoms in the elderly: a systematic review

As, Barbara Adriana Lambert Van; Imbimbo, Enrico; Franceschi, Angela; Menesini, Ersilia; Nocentini, Annalaura

doi:10.1017/s1041610221000399

Cited by 71 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The second part of the survey consisted of four validated questionnaires on health-related quality of life, loneliness, spirituality, and anxiety/depression. The scores obtained with these four measures were all related to each other in the expected direction [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ]: for example, health-related quality of life and spirituality were positively associated to each other, and so were loneliness and anxiety/depression scores; moreover, the first pair of variables was negatively associated to the second pair of variables. Furthermore, the data obtained in these questionnaires revealed that the scores obtained by our sample of Italian elderly during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 were generally in line with those obtained on elderly samples before the pandemic [ 83 , 86 , 87 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictive Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pascut

Feruglio

Crescentini

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 health emergency and restrictive measures have increased psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression, in the general population. However, little is known about mental health conditions and the possible risk and protective factors of specific population groups, such as institutionalized vs. community-dwelling elderly. We investigated the abovementioned aspects in a sample of 65–89-year-old people during the third wave of COVID-19 in Italy. We employed a sociodemographic survey and four questionnaires on health-related quality of life (SF-36), loneliness (UCLA), spirituality (FACIT-Sp), and anxiety/depression (HADS). Our findings suggest that the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the elderly had not been seriously impaired by the events related to the pandemic, although most of the participants reported a worsening of their social life and a moderate/high fear of COVID-19. In regression analyses, these two latter aspects turned out to be predictors of higher anxiety, while spiritual well-being and the possibility to get out of the house/institution emerged as protective factors against anxiety and for preserving quality of life, respectively. Our findings help refine the picture of the condition of the elderly in the aftermath of the pandemic, giving some hints about how to continue supporting their well-being and quality of life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictive Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pascut

Feruglio

Crescentini

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Loneliness is associated with low well-being, poor physical and mental health, and mortality (e.g. Rico-Uribe et al 2018 ; Solmi et al 2020 ; Van As et al 2021 ). Although an individual experience, societal perspectives can contribute to the understanding of loneliness (de Jong Gierveld and Tesch-Römer 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A social exclusion perspective on loneliness in older adults in the Nordic countries

et al. 2022

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Several factors associated with loneliness are also considered indicators of social exclusion. While loneliness has been proposed as an outcome of social exclusion, there is limited empirical evidence of a link. This study examines the associations between social exclusion indicators and loneliness in older adults (60+ years) in four Nordic countries. Data from four waves of the European Social Survey were pooled, providing a total of 7755 respondents (Denmark n = 1647; Finland n = 2501, Norway n = 1540; Sweden n = 2067). Measures of loneliness, demographic characteristics, health, and eight indicators of social exclusion were selected from the survey for analysis. Country-specific and total sample hierarchical logistic regression models of loneliness were developed. Significant model improvement occurred for all models after social exclusion indicators were added to models containing only demographic and health variables. Country models explained between 15.1 (Finland) and 21.5% (Sweden) of the variance in loneliness. Lower frequency of social contacts and living alone compared to in a two-person household was associated with a higher probability of loneliness in all countries, while other indicators were associated with loneliness in specific countries: lower neighbourhood safety (Sweden and Denmark); income concern (Sweden and Finland); and no emotional support (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden). A robust relationship was apparent between indicators of social exclusion and loneliness with the direction of associations being highly consistent across countries, even if their strength and statistical significance varied. Social exclusion has considerable potential for understanding and addressing risk factors for loneliness.

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“…37 Longitudinal research has found a significant and positive association between loneliness and depressive symptoms. 38 However, personal resources, gender, health status, and age can affect older people's experiences and feelings of loneliness. 25 Participating women were in a worse mood and quality of life and more emotional loneliness than men.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is also evidence demonstrating that living alone, especially in the presence of external coercion (such as children leaving home and losing a spouse in old age), can lead to anxiety, depression, and an increased sense of loneliness 37 . Longitudinal research has found a significant and positive association between loneliness and depressive symptoms 38 . However, personal resources, gender, health status, and age can affect older people's experiences and feelings of loneliness 25 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A perspective on the sense of loneliness and its determinants in Iranian older people

et al. 2022

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Background The sense of loneliness is one of the common problems of older people and their quality of life, and is affected by many factors such as personal resources, gender, health condition, and age. This study investigates the determinants of the sense of loneliness between older men and women in Birjand. Methods This study was a part of the community‐based prospective cohort study of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). Individuals over 60 years of age and their families (selected by random cluster sampling) were assessed through structured interviews with questionnaires such as Patient Health Questionnaire, Short‐Form‐12, Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire, loneliness, and social support questions. Results The mean age of the participants in the study was 68.59 ± 6.72, and 53.2% were women. Based on the findings of pathway analysis, the most critical determinants of loneliness in older men and women were the number of children (total effect = −0.112, P = 0.006) and mood, respectively (total effect = 0.142, P < 0.001). According to results, older people with fewer children feel lonelier. Conclusion Compared with men, emotional loneliness is more common in older women. Older women, who lost their husbands, suffer from loneliness, mental health disorders, and low quality of life.

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The longitudinal association between loneliness and depressive symptoms in the elderly: a systematic review

Cited by 71 publications

References 65 publications

Predictive Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Predictive Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A social exclusion perspective on loneliness in older adults in the Nordic countries

A perspective on the sense of loneliness and its determinants in Iranian older people

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