Social isolation and loneliness have long been the focus of research. Recently, these issues have also been gaining increased attention from policymakers and the media.
By Verena Menec, PhD
In Canada, the National Council of Seniors declared social isolation among seniors as its priority area for 2013–14. In the UK, the “Campaign to End Loneliness” is tackling loneliness by disseminating research knowledge and providing service organizations with information on how to approach the issue. CBC headlines like “One is the loneliness number” have brought these issues to the attention of the general public.
Loneliness is often discussed in conjunction with social isolation, and the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language. However, researchers have pointed out that the two concepts need to be differentiated. Whereas social isolation arises in situations where a person does not have enough people to interact with, an objective state, loneliness is the subjective experience of distress over not having enough social relationships or not enough contact with people. Although the two concepts can be related, a person can be socially isolated but not feel lonely, whereas an individual with a seemingly large social network can still experience loneliness. Loneliness should also not be mistaken for depression, even though they may also be correlated.
If loneliness is not about having enough people to interact with, then what causes it? One theory is that loneliness comes about because of maladaptive thoughts about oneself and others. People who are lonely are more likely than individuals who are not lonely to believe that other people will reject them. They are also more likely to have feelings of low self-worth.
What does the evidence say?
The health consequences of both social isolation and loneliness have been examined extensively, although the literature is far from consistent in terms of measures used to assess the two concepts, making it sometimes difficult to compare results across studies. Moreover, the majority of studies include only measures of either social isolation or loneliness; the number of studies that include both is limited, which means that it is not clear if one is more important than the other.
Despite these methodological problems, the literature is quite consistent in terms of demonstrating that both social isolation and loneliness are health risks. For example, in a meta-analysis of 148 studies focusing on the relationship between social isolation (varyingly measured in terms of social networks and the extent to which social supports were available) and mortality, it was found that having more or more supportive social relationships was indeed related to a decreased mortality risk. Based on the strength of the findings, the authors concluded that lack of social relationships is as strong a risk factor for mortality as smoking, obesity or lack of physical activity.
Similarly, older adults who are lonely have an increased risk of dying sooner and are more likely to experience a decline in their mobility, compared with those who are not lonely.
Who is at risk?
Older adults are at increased risk of being socially isolated or lonely. By the time people reach their 80s, the majority live on their own, mostly because of widowhood. This is particularly the case for older women who are more likely to be widowed than older men. Older people’s social networks often get smaller for other reasons as well children may have moved away, along with grandchildren, and aging siblings and friends may have died. Loneliness is also prevalent among older adults. In a recent study, one in five Canadians aged 65 or older indicated that they felt lonely some of the time or often. The proportion is even higher among those 85 years or older 25 per cent of individuals in that age bracket felt lonely some of the time or often. Living alone, health problems and disability, sensory impairment such as hearing loss and major life events such as loss of a spouse have all been identified as risk factors for social isolation and loneliness.
What interventions have been implemented?
Given that social isolation arises from having too few or no social relationships, whereas loneliness is the subjective perception of insufficient relationships, interventions would need to target different causes. Intervention research on how to deal with social isolation is limited; however, qualitative research suggests that creating opportunities for social interaction, such as attending social programs, even via telephone, may help to reduce social isolation.
As for loneliness, a review study included 50 studies that used a wide range of interventions, including several designed to change maladaptive perceptions, as well as other interventions such as enhancing social supports. For example, participants in one intervention study joined a workshop that focused, among other things, on identifying positive relationships from the past, how to apply positive aspects of past relationships to present relationships, and gaining awareness of personal accomplishments. The review showed that interventions that focused on changing people’s maladaptive perceptions were more effective than all other types of interventions.
What is the bottom line?
Clinicians can probe for potential social isolation and loneliness among their patients by asking about family and friends or recent losses. Three questions that are often used in assessments are:
1) How often do you feel that you lack companionship?
2) How often do you feel left out?
3) How often do you feel isolated from others?
Making a patient aware of programs available for older adults, such as active living programs, seniors centres or transportation options to be able to attend such programs, may help those who are socially isolated. Patients who express loneliness even though they appear to have access to social opportunities may be better served by referral to mental health services.
Dr. Verena Menec is a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and the Director of the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba. Her main research interests lie in healthy aging, determinants of healthy aging, age-friendly communities, and health care utilization among older adults.
Reprinted with permission of The McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (mcmasteroptimalaging.org).
