SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Loneliness”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Associations of Trajectories of Loneliness and Neighborhood Stability with Depression, Alcohol and Substance Use, and Quality of Life among Women Living with HIV.

Social relationships are an important social determinant of health. Loneliness, the perceived gap between one's actual and desired relationships, has emerged as an important mechanism through which social relationships impact health. Like other intrapersonal-level factors associated with health, loneliness is influenced by broader social and structural factors, including characteristics of one's neighborhood social environment. Although neighborhood-level protective and risk factors for loneliness and for mental health have been identified, prior studies have often focused solely on self-reported perceptions of the neighborhood environment. Further, few have considered aspects of the neighborhood social environments, such as neighborhood stability (i.e., stability of the community with long or short-term residents), independent of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions. In the current analysis, we explored longitudinal patterns of loneliness in conjunction with neighborhood stability among women with HIV (WWH) enrolled into the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) from 2014-2019 (N 2019=1,394) to examine whether trajectories of loneliness and neighborhood stability were associated with depressive symptoms, non-prescription substance use, past-year cannabis use, number of alcoholic drinks per week, and several domains of quality of life. Loneliness at baseline (Betas = 0.24 - 0.54) and changes in loneliness over time (Betas = 0.11 - 0.26) were associated with each outcome, except for the association between changes in loneliness over time and drinks per week (Beta=0.13, p = 4.14x10-2), which did not persist after correcting for multiple comparisons. Neighborhood stability at baseline was associated with past year cannabis use (Beta=0.26, p = 1.00x10-2), depressive symptoms (Beta=-0.12, p = 1.54x10-3), and overall self-reported health (Beta=-0.08, p = 2.05x10-2). Changes in neighborhood stability across time were not associated with any outcome. Neighborhood stability moderated the association between changes in loneliness and general health perceptions. Our results demonstrate both overall loneliness and changes in loneliness over time have implications for current mental health in WWH, while changes in neighborhood stability did not.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Large-Scale Neuroimaging and Genetic Analyses of the Human Thalamus in Loneliness.

BACKGROUND: Although loneliness is prevalent and significantly impacts society globally, its neural and genetic bases remain poorly understood. The thalamus, which receives sensory information from the environment, may have a more significant role in social interactions than previously recognized. Here, we integrate neuroimaging and genetic approaches to characterize structural differences within the thalamus associated with loneliness. METHODS: We obtained thalamic nuclei volumes on brain scans from 45,834 individuals (age range: 45-82 years) in the UK Biobank and grouped them into 6 anatomical groups. We investigated effects of loneliness and social isolation using self-reported data. Then, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis on the genetic overlap between thalamic volumes and loneliness. RESULTS: The volumes of the whole thalamus and its medial, lateral, and posterior nuclei are significantly reduced in individuals with loneliness compared with those who do not feel lonely. Loneliness with frequent social contact is associated with smaller volumes, whereas social isolation without loneliness shows no such reduction in thalamus volumes. Leveraging data from GWASs on thalamic volumes (n = 30,114) and loneliness (n = 370,342) in the UK Biobank, we identified shared loci between thalamus structure and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the emerging view that the thalamus plays important roles in social interactions and in the experience of loneliness.

Genetic architecture↗

PubMed1990

Loneliness and coping among tertiary-level adult cancer patients in the home.

This exploratory study measured the degree of loneliness experienced by adult cancer patients. All were in the initial phases of the illness, that is, currently receiving treatment consisting of either chemotherapy or radiation therapy on an outpatient basis and/or recuperating from surgery in the home setting. All were within 100 days of initial diagnosis of cancer. The UCLA Loneliness Scale by Peplau was used in measuring loneliness. In addition, the coping methods of this same group of patients were examined using the Jalowiec Coping Scale to determine predominant methods of coping with the situational crisis imposed by cancer diagnosis and treatment. The instruments were administered in the home or in an outpatient setting and patients were accessed through cancer treatment centers and from oncologists in the southern Illinois area. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of loneliness, to identify predominant coping methods, and to discern the relationship, if any, between coping methods employed and the degree of loneliness reported by the adult cancer patients. The conceptual framework chosen for the study was taken from the work of Lazarus and Jalowiec with regard to coping; the work of Peplau, Russell, and Cutrone on loneliness formed the conceptual basis for the portion of the study regarding that dimension. A total of 41 cancer patients were surveyed--21 were male and 20 were female. The median age was 60 years, and the mean educational level was 10.5 years. There were significant differences found between loneliness scores by age categories and by marital status, as well as a relationship between membership in organizations and loneliness scores. There were significant relationships found between coping methods (confrontive, emotive, palliative) employed and the degree of loneliness experienced by these cancer patients. Coping methods were also ranked by frequency of use, and interesting patterns emerged--especially noteworthy were group findings regarding most- versus least-preferred methods. Based on the sample results of this small study, a profile of vulnerability emerges for the adult cancer patient within 100 days of diagnosis. Nursing interventions aimed at alleviating loneliness and facilitating positive coping are indicated, as well as the need for continued study with an expanded population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2000

Social and emotional loneliness among non-demented and demented elderly people.

There is a lack of studies about loneliness and cognitive functioning among elderly people and, above all, among those with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to investigate loneliness, both social and emotional, in non-demented and demented elderly people. The study is based on 589 persons, who answered the question about social loneliness (often being lonely) in the Kungsholmen longitudinal project. All subjects were examined extensively to reach a diagnosis and to determine the dementia level. Data were collected through structured interviews on subjective social loneliness as well as emotional loneliness (feelings of loneliness, from often to never) and background variables (age, sex, housing and housing conditions). Non-demented elderly subjects reported themselves to be lonely significantly less often compared to demented subjects, but there were no differences in the emotional experience of loneliness. Social loneliness was more common in the different levels of dementia and increased with reduced cognitive functioning, while emotional loneliness decreased. Living together with someone and living in one's own apartment showed a positive influence on feelings of loneliness.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

General health mediates the relationship between loneliness, life satisfaction and depression. A study with Malaysian medical students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between life satisfaction, loneliness, general health and depression among 172 medical students in Malaysia. METHOD: Participants completed a questionnaire battery, which included the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Beck's Depression Inventory, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. RESULTS: Life satisfaction was negatively and significantly correlated with suicidal attitudes, loneliness and depression; and positively with health, which was negatively and significantly correlated with depression and loneliness. Self-concept was negatively correlated with loneliness and depression, depression was positively and significantly correlated with loneliness. Mediational analyses showed that the effects of loneliness and life dissatisfaction on depression were fully mediated by health. CONCLUSION: Even though less satisfied, and particularly lonelier, individuals are more likely to report higher levels of depression, this is only the case because both higher loneliness and life dissatisfaction are associated with poorer health. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in developing nations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Facets of loneliness and depression among Chinese children and adolescents.

The authors examined the relation among different facets of loneliness and depression in a sample of 6,356 Chinese children and adolescents from Grades 4-9. Loneliness and depression were closely related among the primary (Grades 4-6) and secondary (Grades 7-9) students, both boys and girls. Although the different facets of loneliness were predictive of the various facets of depression, peer-related loneliness and aloneness were more predictive of depression in both groups than was parent-related loneliness. The students in Grades 5 and 6 scored lower for loneliness but a little higher for depression than did the students in Grade 4. The students in Grades 8 and 9 scored higher than the students in Grade 7 for loneliness and depression. The primary boys scored higher than the primary girls for both loneliness and depression. Among the secondary students, there was no difference between the scores of the boys and those of the girls for loneliness, but the boys scored lower than the girls for depression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Loneliness among elderly people living in stockholm: a population study.

The purpose was to investigate experienced loneliness among the elderly. The material included 1725 people, aged 75 and over. The study describes relationships between loneliness, social network, cognitive function and health. Thirty-five per cent experienced loneliness, and a higher percentage was found among women. A gradual increase in loneliness was found up to the age of 90, after which a levelling was found. Elderly persons living together with a partner experienced less loneliness. There were no significant differences between those with and without children. Ten per cent reported not having any friends and, of these, one out of two experienced loneliness. A high frequency of experienced loneliness was found among elderly people with reduced cognitive function. Subjectively experienced bad health and loneliness were strongly related to each other, i.e. a person who experienced loneliness did usually not feel completely healthy.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

A community survey of loneliness.

BACKGROUND: Loneliness is associated with an increased incidence of a wide range of physical and mental health problems. The detection, prevention and amelioration of loneliness is an important public health issue for nurses. METHODS: This study reports findings from the 2002 Central Queensland Social Survey. The aims of the study were to (i). establish the extent of loneliness in a community sample; and (ii). to identify the factors that are predictors of loneliness. A random sample of 1241 subjects were interviewed by Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing. This interview included the Loneliness Scale formulated by De Jong Gierveld and Kamphuis. FINDINGS: Loneliness is a common phenomenon and risk factors include experience of domestic violence in current relationship, not having recent paid employment, not being married/partnered, and the number of children under 18 years in a household. Loneliness is not associated with higher rates of health care professional consultations. CONCLUSION: Loneliness is a very common problem and should be seen as a major public health issue. Nurses, through a community capacity building framework, have a major role to play in the prevention of loneliness.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Loneliness and peer relations in young children.

Recent studies indicate that feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction can be reliably assessed with third- through sixth-grade children, and that children who are sociometrically rejected by their peers are significantly more lonely than other children. The present research was designed (a) to examine whether loneliness could be reliably assessed in a population younger than previously studied, (b) to learn whether young children who are poorly accepted by peers report elevated levels of loneliness and social dissatisfaction, (c) to assess whether young children understand the concept of loneliness, and (d) to examine the behavioral characteristics of lonely young children. Kindergarten and first-grade children (N = 440) responded to a questionnaire about feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction in school. A subset of children (N = 46) were individually interviewed to assess their understanding of loneliness. To assess sociometric status and behavior, peers were asked to respond to various sociometric measures and behavioral assessment items. Teachers also provided behavioral information about children using a newly developed instrument. Results indicated that nearly all children understood loneliness, that loneliness was reliably assessed in young children, and that poorly accepted children were more lonely than other children. In addition, children who reported the most loneliness were found to differ from others on several behavioral dimensions.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Loneliness and social adaptation in Brazilian, Canadian, Chinese and Italian children: a multi-national comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Research on children's loneliness has been conducted mostly in Western, especially North American, cultures. The purpose of the study was to examine relations between loneliness and social adaptation among children and adolescents in four different societies. METHODS: A total of 2263 children from grade 3 to grade 6, aged 9 to 12 years, in Brazil, Canada, P. R. China, and Southern Italy participated in the study. The participants completed a self-report measure of loneliness. Information about social behaviors and peer relationships was obtained from peer assessments. RESULTS: Multi-group analyses revealed that the overall patterns of relations among social behaviors, peer relationships and loneliness differed across the samples. Specifically, sociability was positively associated with peer relationships and made negative indirect contributions to loneliness through peer relationships in all four samples. Aggression made significant indirect contributions to the prediction of loneliness in Chinese children, but not in other samples. Shyness-sensitivity was associated with loneliness directly in Brazilian and Italian children and indirectly through peer relationships in Canadian children, but not associated with loneliness in Chinese children. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the nature of children's loneliness may be affected by the broad socio-cultural context.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Gender and marital-history differences in emotional and social loneliness among Dutch older adults.

In this study, Weiss's (1973) theorizing about the sources of emotional and social loneliness is elaborated--with notions about the asymmetric gratifications derived from marriage, about the conflicting loyalties that result from remarriage, and about selection into marriage--in order to reach an understanding of gender differences in loneliness, both in and outside of marriage. First and subsequent marriages are considered, as well as marital disruptions and never marrying. The data (N = 3737) are from the 1992 Dutch survey on older adults' living arrangements and social networks (NESTOR-LSN). Marital-history differences emerge, not only for emotional loneliness, but also (and contrary to Weiss's theoretical conceptualizations) for social loneliness. The marital-history differences in emotional and social loneliness are greater among men than women. For men, the marriage bond appears not only to be more central to emotional well-being than is the case for women but also to play a pivotal role in their involvement with others. Marital history offers the best explanation for differences in emotional loneliness among men, but social embeddedness characteristics also account for differences in emotional loneliness among women. Apparently, whereas men are more likely to find an intimate attachment in marriage, women also find protection from emotional loneliness in other close ties. The marital-history differences in social loneliness are largely mediated by social embeddedness characteristics, partly in different ways for men and women. Involvement in activities outside the home serves as the context for sociability for men, whereas parenthood plays a more important role in women's social engagements.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Differential indicators of loneliness among elderly. The importance of type of partner relationship, partner history, health, socioeconomic status and social relations].

Using data from the 1992 NESTOR-survey 'Living arrangements and social networks of older adults' (N = 4494), the aim of the present study is to identify specific categories of older adults who are most vulnerable to loneliness. By looking at different types of partner relationships (first, second, and third marriages; consensual unions; partners who are not household members) and at partner histories (never married, ever divorced, ever widowed, remarried), this study elaborates on previous research which has tended to look only at the presence versus the absence of partner relationships. Findings indicate that different types of partner relationships provide differential protection against loneliness. There appears to be a 'shadow of the past' of a previous divorce or widowhood in second and third partnerships, which accounts for generally higher levels of loneliness. Single men tend to be more lonely than single women. Moreover, there are no differences in loneliness between men who have always been single and those previously married. Among single women, differences in partner history are relevant: never married single women tend to be least vulnerable to loneliness. The differences in loneliness between older adults with different types of partner relationships and partner histories are only partially attributable to network and social participation differences. The latter independently contribute to the explanation of loneliness. The role of non-social determinants (health and socioeconomic position) is also examined. The results underscore the socially isolating effects of sensory impairments. Older adults with functional limitations, and those with visual or auditory problems tend to be more lonely, findings which are only partially attributable to differences in the number and quality of social relationships. Socioeconomic circumstances primarily have an indirect influence on loneliness. Those with higher levels of educational attainment and higher incomes tend to have more extensive social networks and are therefore less prone to loneliness.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

Loneliness as a predictor of hospital emergency department use.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that loneliness is a significant risk factor for many ailments from colds to heart disease. If lonely patients are at greater risk for illness, then we might expect that they would use the emergency department (ED) more often and incur greater medical costs than those who are not lonely. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of loneliness in patients in an ED and to evaluate it as a predictor of ED use, hospital admission, and chronic illness. METHODS: We evaluated a convenience sample of 164 ED patients with the University of California-Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Version 3 and a survey of patient characteristics. Using medical record review and patient self-report, we determined total ED visits, the presence of chronic illness, and discharge diagnoses during a 1-year retrospective period. We evaluated data with least mean square regression and a 2-tailed t test. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant correlation between loneliness score and total hospital ED visits (P <.001). The mean loneliness score (39) was equal to that of normal populations. Patients scoring higher than the mean used the ED 60% more per year than patients who scored lower (P = .008). There was no association between a patient's loneliness score and baseline chronic illness or severity of current illness (P = .56). Spanish-speaking patients had higher loneliness scores than English-speaking patients (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Loneliness is a predictor of hospital ED use independent of chronic illness and is potentially very expensive to society. We recommend further studies be done to examine if allocating resources for preventing, diagnosing, and treating loneliness would be cost effective.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed2025

A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies of Depression and Loneliness in Black Women with Hypertension in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension disproportionately affects Black women with subsequent complications that can extend beyond physical health. Notably, there is a significant relationship between hypertension, depression, and loneliness, with hypertensive Black women more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression. Since loneliness and social isolation are predictors of depression, recognizing and addressing these interconnected health concerns could improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This systematic review presents a synthesis of findings on depression screening practices, depression symptoms, and loneliness in quantitative studies of Black women with hypertension in the United States. METHODS: Using the EbscoHost platform, a comprehensive literature search for studies measuring depression and loneliness in Black women with hypertension was conducted. The following databases were selected: Medline Complete, CINAHL Complete, APA PsychArticles, and PsychINFO. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were included; 16 focused on depression, and these studies highlighted a significant burden of depression in this demographic compared to their counterparts. Five studies reported loneliness and its relation to depression and hypertension. Loneliness and social isolation, as independent risk factors, exacerbated symptoms of depression and contributed to the onset and progression of hypertension. Two prior reviews corroborated these findings. Studies have emphasized the role of trust in clinical interactions and the importance of appropriate therapeutic interventions. DISCUSSION: Black women with hypertension are at a heightened risk for symptoms of depression, compounded by feelings of loneliness. Loneliness and depression are linked to physiological stress, contributing to hypertension. These problems are underrecognized and undertreated across populations, and this lack of recognition and treatment contributes to health inequity.

Humans↗

PubMed1985

Loneliness, birth order and social loss among a group of elderly women.

This paper is concerned with birth order as a childhood experience which may effect how and when older adults experience loneliness. In this study 207 elderly women (mean age 77) were studied in terms of birth order, social loss, depressive disorder and loneliness. As hypothesized, firstborns will experience less loneliness than laterborns under socially stable circumstances. But, after a social loss, firstborns are likely to experience more loneliness than laterborns. The effect of social loss and loneliness was also examined in terms of two health outcome variables--depressive disorder and physical complaints. No direct or indirect (via loneliness) effect of social loss on the health variables was found. Loneliness was found to have an effect on depressive disorder but not on physical complaints. Finally, for firstborns an interaction between social loss and loneliness was observed on physical complaint outcomes.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns of loneliness in an immigrant population.

Loneliness has been recognized as a public health problem that requires the attention of clinicians and researchers both as a condition in itself and in its relation to other conditions. This study sought to examine the relationship between self-reported loneliness, psychological distress, and social support among immigrants. A community survey of 386 recent immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union was conducted using the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA-LS), Talbieh Brief Distress Inventory (TBDI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). A cross-sectional design, and correlation and factor analyses were used to study the relationship between the studied variables. The distress-related and distress-free patterns of loneliness were distinguished as independent constructs, each with a specific sphere of influence. Distress-related loneliness accounted for 56.3% and distress-free for 18.2% of the total variance in individual loneliness scores. Distress-related loneliness is a generalized negative experience embedded in an array of distress symptoms, while distress-free loneliness appears to be a normal psychological reaction to dissatisfaction with current friend support. An important implication of this study in mental health practice is the sensitivity to these differences when treating recent immigrants.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Psychological and social factors predictive of loneliness: a cognitive and behavioral approach].

The objective of the present study was to explore the psychological and social mechanisms leading to loneliness. Based on cognitive and behavioral approaches developed in health psychology, we tested several models that might allow one to predict certain determinants of the feeling of loneliness. Included in the study were 45 individuals suffering from loneliness who had come to one of several Centres Thérapeutiques de Lutte contre l'Isolement "Recherche et Rencontres". The subjects were asked to respond to four scales: the UCLA loneliness scale, Cattell's 16 PF 5 personality scale, Sherbourne and Stewart's social support scale, and Lazarus and Folkman's Ways of Coping Checklist. The present results confirm the previously reported deficit of social support perceived by subjects in this population. Concerning their personality, this population sample falls outside national norms in 7 dimensions: compared to the general population, the socially isolated individual appears essentially to be introverted and anxious, emotionally unstable, avoiding conflicts, timid and ill at ease in the company of -others, imaginative and distracted. To face up to their feeling of loneliness, they have a tendency to use coping styles such as "keep it to yourself" and "wishful thinking". On the other hand, they resort very little to social support. Among the pertinent variables, 5 predictive factors were recognized, and they could explain 51% of the variance in the feeling of loneliness: they include the global score of perceived social support, coping strategies focussed around wishful thinking, coping strategies that avoid resort to social support, personality traits of imaginativeness and absent-mindedness, and an introverted personality. Three predictors contributed independently to the model: absence of resort to social support, the use of wishful thinking, and the imaginative-distracted personality trait. We likewise found evidence for a mediator role of the absence of resort to social support in the relation between the levels of perceived social support and the feeling of loneliness. Thus it is not so much the deficit in the subject's social relations that determines his feeling of loneliness as it is his difficulty of appealing to others when in distress. These results suggest that it would be judicious to develop specific therapeutic interventions for this type of person that would permit them to adjust more actively and to behave more realistically.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1994

Loneliness in young children and their parents.

Although many researchers have studied loneliness, they have done so as if people are free from social context. An alternative perspective is that people exist within ongoing social groups. In the current study, we considered the relationship among family members in level of loneliness and the predictors of loneliness for each family member. Subjects were 52 first-grade children and their parents (47 mothers, 32 fathers). The loneliness of children was significantly correlated with the level of loneliness of their mothers, but not their fathers. For all three types of family members, loneliness was associated with using fewer relationship-enhancing strategies. For children and mothers, loneliness was also associated with having more negative attitudes toward others. Finally, for mothers with young children, loneliness was associated with having smaller social networks.

Child↗