Download full text
(382.4Kb)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-94085-3
Exports for your reference manager
Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study
[journal article]
Abstract To clarify the factors associated with loneliness in individuals aged 80 years and older in Germany (also stratified by sex). Methods Data from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" were employed. The analytic sample equaled 10,031 individuals. The D80+ study included community-d... view more
To clarify the factors associated with loneliness in individuals aged 80 years and older in Germany (also stratified by sex). Methods Data from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" were employed. The analytic sample equaled 10,031 individuals. The D80+ study included community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals ≥ 80 years in Germany. Multiple linear regressions were used (with sociodemographic and health-related explanatory factors). The collection of data occurred between November 2020 and April 2021 (written questionnaire). Results Higher loneliness was significantly associated with not being married (e.g., widowed compared to being married, β=.37, p<.001), being institutionalized (β=.33, p<.001), low education (high education compared to low education, β=-.07, p<.01), a higher number of chronic conditions (β=.02, p<.001), poor self-rated health (β=-.19, p<.001) and greater functional impairment (β=.15, p<.001). Sex-stratified regressions produced comparable results. However, low education was only associated with higher loneliness among men, but not women (with significant interaction: education x sex). Conclusion Several sociodemographic and health-related factors can contribute to loneliness among the oldest old in Germany, with sex-specific associations between education and loneliness. Overall, such knowledge can aid to address individuals with higher loneliness levels.... view less
Keywords
elderly; aged; solitude; social isolation; social relations; social network; exclusion; gender-specific factors; socioeconomic factors; Federal Republic of Germany
Classification
Gerontology
Free Keywords
D80+
Document language
English
Publication Year
2024
Journal
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics (2024) 123
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105443
ISSN
1872-6976
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed