Loneliness Slashes Healthy Years in Older Adults, Study Reveals

Loneliness and health

Loneliness is a feeling of disconnection and dissatisfaction with relationships. Furthermore, loneliness has been identified as a significant and well-studied predictor of mental and physical illness.

Loneliness can activate autonomic nervous responses, thereby leading to chronic stress. Furthermore, loneliness may exacerbate age-related illnesses, as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), disability, dementia, and frailty. Loneliness may act differently in males and females, with older females who are lonely more likely to be depressed and lose physical functionality.

The rise of urbanization in China has reduced the strength of traditional family relationships and the availability of family support. Older adults in China are at a greater risk of loneliness, with up to 25% currently estimated to experience loneliness.

About the study

The current study used data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, which included 15,500 participants between 65 and 99 years of age. The survey asked study participants about activities of daily living (ADL) and self-rated health (SRH) as measures of health and well-being.