Do Loneliness and Perceived Social Isolation Reduce Expected Longevity and Increase the Frequency of Dealing With Death and Dying? Longitudinal Findings Based on a Nationally Representative Sample

The aim was to examine the association between oral health-related quality of life and loneliness and perceived as well as objective social isolation. Data were used from a nationally representative survey with n = 3075 (late Summer 2021). The established Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G5) was used to quantify oral health-related quality of life. Moreover, established tools were used to quantify the outcome measures (De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale, Bude/Lantermann scale and Lubben Social Network Scale). It was adjusted for several covariates in regression analysis. Linear regressions showed that low oral health-related quality of life is associated with higher loneliness (B = 0.03, p < 0.001), higher perceived social isolation (B = 0.06, p < 0.001) and higher objective social isolation (B = 0.07, p < 0.05). Further regressions were performed (e.g., stratified by denture usage). Our study stressed the importance of low oral health-related quality of life for loneliness and social isolation (both perceived and objective). This knowledge is important to address individuals at risk. Future studies should clarify the underlying mechanisms.

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Do lonely and socially isolated individuals think they die earlier? The link between loneliness, social isolation and expectations of longevity based on a nationally representative sample

Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1111/psyg.12707 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

André Hajek ◽

Hans‐Helmut König

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Representative Sample ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Socially Isolated

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Social Networks and Depression Over Time: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Social Isolation

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1312 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 407-408

Author(s):

Abhijit Visaria ◽

Pildoo Sung ◽

Angelique W M Chan

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Representative Study ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Perceived Social Isolation ◽

The Relationship

Abstract It is well established that a strong social network is an important factor for successful ageing, specifically for promoting and maintaining psychological wellbeing at older ages. Strong social networks are a source of social support especially at a time of need, and can also help older adults remain connected, active, and engaged in group activities. In this study, we seek to better understand the underlying pathways in the relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms, specifically comparing the extent to which the relationship is mediated by the receipt of material/monetary support, relative to perceived social isolation. We use data from the Panel on Health and Aging of Singaporean Elderly, a nationally-representative study of older Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 years and older in 2009 (N=4990), with two follow-up surveys in 2011 (N=3103) and 2015 (N=1572). We conduct cross-lagged mediation analysis, and control for a number of potential confounders including cognitive function, chronic physical ailments, socioeconomic status, and demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, and family size. Our preliminary analysis shows that a reciprocal relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms is mediated to a larger extent by social isolation compared to weaker social support.

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The Need to Belong and the Relationship Between Loneliness and Health

Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie ◽

10.1026/0943-8149/a000129 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 194-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Freda-Marie Hartung ◽

Britta Renner

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Social Situation ◽

First Year ◽

Health State ◽

Need To Belong ◽

First Year University ◽

Perceived Social Isolation ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Humans are social animals; consequently, a lack of social ties affects individuals’ health negatively. However, the desire to belong differs between individuals, raising the question of whether individual differences in the need to belong moderate the impact of perceived social isolation on health. In the present study, 77 first-year university students rated their loneliness and health every 6 weeks for 18 weeks. Individual differences in the need to belong were found to moderate the relationship between loneliness and current health state. Specifically, lonely students with a high need to belong reported more days of illness than those with a low need to belong. In contrast, the strength of the need to belong had no effect on students who did not feel lonely. Thus, people who have a strong need to belong appear to suffer from loneliness and become ill more often, whereas people with a weak need to belong appear to stand loneliness better and are comparatively healthy. The study implies that social isolation does not impact all individuals identically; instead, the fit between the social situation and an individual’s need appears to be crucial for an individual’s functioning.

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