Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study

André Hajek; Razak M Gyasi; Hans-Helmut König

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2024.105443

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Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study

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Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study

André Hajek, Razak M Gyasi and Hans-Helmut König

Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.123, 105443

08/2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105443

PMID: 38631279

Appears in Recent National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine Publications

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Abstract

Spousal loss

Functional impairment

Oldest old

Sex differences

Self-rated health

Social exclusion

Chronic conditions

Social connectedness

Education

Social isolation

Aged, 80 and over

Loneliness

Nursing home

Social support

Objectives To clarify the factors associated with loneliness in individuals aged 80 years and older in Germany (also stratified by sex). Methods Data from the nationally representative “Old Age in Germany (D80+)” were employed. The analytic sample equaled 10,031 individuals. The D80+ study included community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals ≥ 80 years in Germany. Multiple linear regressions were used (with sociodemographic and health-related explanatory factors). The collection of data occurred between November 2020 and April 2021 (written questionnaire). Results Higher loneliness was significantly associated with not being married (e.g., widowed compared to being married, β=0.37, p<.001), being institutionalized (β=0.33, p<.001), low education (high education compared to low education, β=-0.07, p<.01), a higher number of chronic conditions (β=0.02, p<.001), poor self-rated health (β=-0.19, p<.001) and greater functional impairment (β=0.15, p<.001). Sex-stratified regressions produced comparable results. However, low education was only associated with higher loneliness among men, but not women (with significant interaction: education x sex). Conclusion Several sociodemographic and health-related factors can contribute to loneliness among the oldest old in Germany, with sex-specific associations between education and loneliness. Overall, such knowledge can aid to address individuals with higher loneliness levels.

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Title: Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study
Creators: André Hajek - University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Razak M Gyasi - Southern Cross University
Hans-Helmut König - University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Publication Details: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.123, 105443
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Identifiers: 991013181300002368
Academic Unit: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Factors associated with loneliness among individuals aged 80 years and over: Findings derived from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study

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