Factors associated with the risk for loneliness in older adults with diabetes

As the U.S. population ages, the prevalence of loneliness among older adults, especially those living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, has become a serious public health concern. Previous studies have identified a variety of factors associated with loneliness in older adults with diabetes, but have limitations to generalize to U.S. older adults. This study analyzed data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), which included 542 participants aged 50 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetes. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of loneliness, including covariates that were demographic factors and variables such as depressive symptoms, social support, and functional limitations. Analyses showed that being divorced and never married, having low levels of social support, and having high levels of depressive symptoms were significant predictors of loneliness; these factors explained an additional 20.2% of the variance in loneliness risk beyond demographic covariates. This study highlights the complex interplay of social, psychological, and physical factors in predicting loneliness among older adults with diabetes in the United States, highlights the important role of social support and mental health in mitigating loneliness, and suggests the need for targeted interventions focused on strengthening social networks and addressing depressive symptoms. Future studies should examine longitudinal associations and control for additional diabetes-related factors to further clarify these findings.