Prevalence and risk factors for social isolation among older adults in the United States of America

Social isolation is defined as a situation in which an individual has a small social network and/or lacks meaningful reciprocal social relationships and engagement with others, or where one lacks the sense of social belonging. Previous studies have indicated prevalence of social isolation among older adults ranges from 7 to 43%. Social isolation has been associated with poor physical and mental health and mortality. However, very little is known about risk factors of social isolation. The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of social isolation in a large sample (n = 7658) of older adults in the United States of America on the age range 65 to 95 years. The results suggested that the prevalence of social isolation among 65 to 95-year-old Americans was roughly 22%. A binary logistic regression was performed to examine risk factors for social isolation. When age, gender, income, and education were explored together in a model, age was the only risk factor associated with social isolation. Higher age increased the risk for social isolation by 3% and was consistently found a risk factor for social isolation. When the model was adjusted, being a woman increased the risk for social isolation by 42%. The results suggested income and education were not associated with social isolation. Keywords: Social isolation, older adults, age, gender, income, education

Author dc:creator

• Elísa Ýr Halldórsdóttir 1995-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Félagsleg einangrun
• Aldraðir
• Kynferði
• Psychology
• Social participation
• Older people
• Sex (Biology)

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/37511

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/37511