Joan Domènech-Abella1,2, Jordi Mundó1, Lise Switsers3,4, Theo van Tilburg5, Daniel Fernández2,6,7, Ignacio Aznar-Lou6,8. 1. Department of Sociology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 2. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain. 3. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. 4. Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium. 5. Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6. Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Spain. 7. Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. 8. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Previous research indicates that social isolation, loneliness, physical dysfunction and depressive symptoms are interrelated factors, little is known about the potential pathways among them. The aim of the study is to analyse simultaneously reciprocal relationships that could exist between the four factors to clarify potential mediation effects. METHODS: Within a large representative sample of older people in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), participants aged 75 and over were followed up over a period of 11 years (four waves). We tested cross-lagged and autoregressive longitudinal associations of social network size, loneliness, physical functioning and depressive symptoms using structural equation modelling (SEM). RESULTS: Several statistically significant cross-lagged associations were found: decreasing physical functioning (Coef.=-0.03; p<0.05), as well as social network size (Coef.=-0.02; p<0.05), predicted higher levels of loneliness, which predicted an increase in depressive symptoms (Coef.=0.17; p<0.05) and further reduction of social network (Coef.=-0.20; p<0.05). Decreasing physical functioning also predicted an increase in depressive symptoms (Coef.=-0.08; p<0.05). All autoregressive associations were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Interventions focused on promoting social activities among older adults after negative life events, such as loss of social contacts or declining physical function, may alleviate feelings of loneliness and act as mental health protector. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION: Previous research indicates that social isolation, loneliness, physical dysfunction and depressive symptoms are interrelated factors, little is known about the potential pathways among them. The aim of the study is to analyse simultaneously reciprocal relationships that could exist between the four factors to clarify potential mediation effects. METHODS: Within a large representative sample of older people in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), participants aged 75 and over were followed up over a period of 11 years (four waves). We tested cross-lagged and autoregressive longitudinal associations of social network size, loneliness, physical functioning and depressive symptoms using structural equation modelling (SEM). RESULTS: Several statistically significant cross-lagged associations were found: decreasing physical functioning (Coef.=-0.03; p<0.05), as well as social network size (Coef.=-0.02; p<0.05), predicted higher levels of loneliness, which predicted an increase in depressive symptoms (Coef.=0.17; p<0.05) and further reduction of social network (Coef.=-0.20; p<0.05). Decreasing physical functioning also predicted an increase in depressive symptoms (Coef.=-0.08; p<0.05). All autoregressive associations were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Interventions focused on promoting social activities among older adults after negative life events, such as loss of social contacts or declining physical function, may alleviate feelings of loneliness and act as mental health protector. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Keywords:
Loneliness; depressive symptoms; older adults; physical functioning; social isolation