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The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain

The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain
The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain
This study examines the prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in Great Britain, and makes comparisons with the findings of studies undertaken during the last five decades. In addition, the risk factors for loneliness are examined using a conceptual model of vulnerability and protective factors derived from a model of depression. Loneliness was measured using a self-rating scale, and measures of socio-demographic status and health/social resources were included. Interviews were undertaken with 999 people aged 65 or more years living in their own homes, and the sample was broadly representative of the population in 2001. Among them the prevalence of 'severe loneliness' was seven per cent, indicating little change over five decades. Six independent vulnerability factors for loneliness were identified: marital status, increases in loneliness over the previous decade, increases in time alone over the previous decade; elevated mental morbidity; poor current health; and poorer health in old age than expected. Advanced age and possession of post-basic education were independently protective of loneliness. From this evidence we propose that there are three loneliness pathways in later life: continuation of a long-established attribute, late-onset loneliness, and decreasing loneliness. Confirmation of the different trajectories suggests that policies and interventions should reflect the variability of loneliness in later life, for undifferentiated responses may be neither appropriate nor effective.
loneliness, social exclusion, elderly people, social isolation, age, model, nonresponders, associations, diseases, network, health, bias
0144-686X
357 - 375
Victor, Christina R.
0bd2e4a8-94b1-4212-9734-4497621b9aa4
Scambler, Sasha J.
af77f1ec-1238-4f40-9446-d72c2fd77c46
Bowling, Ann
796ca209-687f-4079-8a40-572076251936
Bond, John
330e95f0-b152-4eed-905f-3b0bfcc00417
Victor, Christina R.
0bd2e4a8-94b1-4212-9734-4497621b9aa4
Scambler, Sasha J.
af77f1ec-1238-4f40-9446-d72c2fd77c46
Bowling, Ann
796ca209-687f-4079-8a40-572076251936
Bond, John
330e95f0-b152-4eed-905f-3b0bfcc00417

Victor, Christina R., Scambler, Sasha J., Bowling, Ann and Bond, John (2005) The prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain. Ageing & Society, 25 (6), 357 - 375. (doi:10.1017/S0144686X04003332).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in Great Britain, and makes comparisons with the findings of studies undertaken during the last five decades. In addition, the risk factors for loneliness are examined using a conceptual model of vulnerability and protective factors derived from a model of depression. Loneliness was measured using a self-rating scale, and measures of socio-demographic status and health/social resources were included. Interviews were undertaken with 999 people aged 65 or more years living in their own homes, and the sample was broadly representative of the population in 2001. Among them the prevalence of 'severe loneliness' was seven per cent, indicating little change over five decades. Six independent vulnerability factors for loneliness were identified: marital status, increases in loneliness over the previous decade, increases in time alone over the previous decade; elevated mental morbidity; poor current health; and poorer health in old age than expected. Advanced age and possession of post-basic education were independently protective of loneliness. From this evidence we propose that there are three loneliness pathways in later life: continuation of a long-established attribute, late-onset loneliness, and decreasing loneliness. Confirmation of the different trajectories suggests that policies and interventions should reflect the variability of loneliness in later life, for undifferentiated responses may be neither appropriate nor effective.

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More information

Published date: 22 April 2005
Keywords: loneliness, social exclusion, elderly people, social isolation, age, model, nonresponders, associations, diseases, network, health, bias
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 334614
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/334614
ISSN: 0144-686X
PURE UUID: 34283563-7b05-4bdd-afc7-c37557c99112

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Date deposited: 30 Mar 2012 13:06
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 10:35

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Contributors

Author: Christina R. Victor
Author: Sasha J. Scambler
Author: Ann Bowling
Author: John Bond

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