Perceived Loneliness Among Older Adults

Older adults experience unique isolation, such as living alone and losing loved ones, which correlates with worse mental health. Few studies have examined how the number of close relationships impacts perceived isolation in older adults. I hypothesize the number of close relationships in an older adult’s life may predict perceived isolation; further, I will assess if depression moderates this relationship. This secondary analysis is based on a study of 153 older adults in the northeastern part of the United States (average age = 67.51, SD = 8.3180). The participants completed a measure of perceived isolation (UCLA Loneliness Scale, ULS-3), a measure of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS), and answered the question “How many friends do you have?”, as well as indicated if they were in a relationship. In the current analysis, the number of relationships was significantly predictive of perceived isolation (M = 4.75, SD = 1.8), R2 = .14, F(2, 117) = 9.67, p < .001. Depression (M = 4.03, SD = 1.93) significantly increased the variance accounted for by the model, change in R2 = .30, F(4, 114) = 22.78, p < .001. However, it did not significantly moderate the relationship between the number of relationships and perceptions of isolation, t = -1.26, p = .21. Results indicate older adults with fewer close relationships experience greater perceived isolation. Depression may play a larger role in isolation perceptions, which warrants further study. Supporting older adults with fewer close relationships may reduce feelings of isolation.