A Model of Loneliness in Older Adults

Loneliness and physical health status in older adults have been correlated strongly but the predictive direction is unclear. This study examined the relationship between personality, cognition, social network, and age modeled as predictors of loneliness in older Americans. Self-assessed health mediated the relationship. The sample consisted of 208 independently living individuals 60 to 106 years of age from the southern region of the United States. Model comparison revealed health did not mediate the relationship significantly but that self-reported loneliness itself mediated between personal characteristics and perceived health. Results indicate anxiety, frequency of telephone contact, and age, but not frequency of face-to-face contact with others or cognitive functioning, affect perceived loneliness. Perceived loneliness mediates the effects of anxiety, frequency of telephone contact, and age on self-assessed health. Feelings of loneliness decrease one's evaluation of physical well-being.