Trajectories of Loneliness in Later Life – Evidence from a 10-Year English Panel Study

Giorgio Di Gessa , University College London
Valeria Bordone, University of Vienna
Bruno Arpino, University of Padua

Although the prevalence of loneliness is high among older people and is projected to rise, few studies have examined longitudinal patterns of loneliness. Using data from six waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2008/09 to 2018/19, N=4740), we used group-based trajectory modelling to identify distinctive trajectories of loneliness. Multinomial regression models were then used to examine characteristics associated with these trajectories, with a particular focus on size, support, closeness, and frequency of contact with social networks. We identified 5 groups of loneliness trajectories, with 10% classified as “stable high” lonely throughout and similar percentages of respondents who increasingly or decreasingly reported high loneliness. Results suggest that relationships and health are important determinants of loneliness trajectories: those with poor and deteriorating health as well as low-quality relationships with both friends and family were significantly more likely to be classified as having “high stable” or “increasing high” loneliness.

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 Presented in Session 67. Flash session Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health, Wellbeing and Morbidity