Predictors of loneliness and different types of social isolation of rural-living older adults in the United Kingdom

• Published in: Ageing and society Vol. 37; no. 10; pp. 2012 - 2043
• Main Authors: DE KONING, JOLANTHE LOUISE, STATHI, AFRODITI, RICHARDS, SUZANNE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Aging; Deprivation; Deviation; Families & family life; Health problems; Health status; Intervention; Loneliness; Mental health; Older people; Risk factors; Rural areas; Rural communities; Social isolation; Social networks; Social support; Well being; Widowhood; United Kingdom > UK; Loneliness; social isolation; rural area
• ISSN: 0144-686X; 1469-1779
• DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X16000696

Loneliness and social isolation are recognised, conceptually distinct threats to health and wellbeing in older age but limited evidence is available on their predictors in rural populations. This study performed logistical regression modelling to explore the predictors of loneliness, isolation from one's family and isolation from one's community in 884 British rural-living older adults (57.9% female; mean age = 71.5, standard deviation = 8.1 years) within the Grey and Pleasant Land data-set. While 13 per cent of participants reported feeling lonely, 49 per cent reported isolation from their family and 9 per cent reported isolation from their community. Minimal cross-over between groups was observed. Widowhood, financial difficulties, area deprivation, and self-reported impairments in physical and mental health predicted loneliness. Greater financial difficulty gave lower odds of isolation from one's family, and higher levels of community engagement gave lower odds of isolation from the community. Ageing in place (longer residency) was the only common predictor for all three dependent variables. Initiatives aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation in rural-living older people must recognise that the two concepts are distinct, affecting different population sub-groups with mostly different risk factor profiles. Future interventions and policies should clearly identify whether their target is loneliness or social isolation and tailor their interventions appropriately.