Graham, Eileen K;
Beck, Emorie D;
Jackson, Kathryn;
Yoneda, Tomiko;
McGhee, Chloe;
Pieramici, Lily;
Atherton, Olivia E;
... Ong, Anthony D; + view all
(2024)
Do We Become More Lonely With Age? A Coordinated Data Analysis of Nine Longitudinal Studies.
Psychological Science
, 35
(6)
pp. 579-596.
10.1177/09567976241242037.
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Abstract
Loneliness is a pervasive experience with adverse impacts on health and well-being. Despite its significance, notable gaps impede a full understanding of how loneliness changes across the adult life span and what factors influence these changes. To address this, we conducted a coordinated data analysis of nine longitudinal studies encompassing 128,118 participants ages 13 to 103 from over 20 countries. Using harmonized variables and models, we examined loneliness trajectories and predictors. Analyses revealed that loneliness follows a U-shaped curve, decreasing from young adulthood to midlife and increasing in older adulthood. These patterns were consistent across studies. Several baseline factors (i.e., sex, marital status, physical function, education) were linked to loneliness levels, but few moderated the loneliness trajectories. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of loneliness and underscore the need for targeted interventions to reduce social disparities throughout adulthood.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Do We Become More Lonely With Age? A Coordinated Data Analysis of Nine Longitudinal Studies |
| Location: | United States |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1177/09567976241242037 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976241242037 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | coordinated analysis, lifespan development, loneliness |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10203344 |
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