Development of a machine learning-based risk assessment model for loneliness among elderly Chinese: a cross-sectional study based on Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey

The study found a 23.4% prevalence of loneliness among elderly individuals in China. SHAP values indicated that marital status has the strongest evaluative value across all forecasting periods. Specifically, elderly individuals who are never married, widowed, divorced, or separated are more likely to experience loneliness compared to their married counterparts.