Citation

Graham EK, Beck ED, Jackson K, Yoneda T, McGhee C, Pieramici L, Atherton OE, Luo J, Willroth EC, Steptoe A, Mroczek DK, Ong AD. Psychol. Sci. 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Association for Psychological Science, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1177/09567976241242037

PMID

38687352

Abstract

Loneliness is a pervasive experience with adverse impacts on health and well-being. Despite its significance, notable gaps impede a full understanding of how loneliness changes across the adult life span and what factors influence these changes. To address this, we conducted a coordinated data analysis of nine longitudinal studies encompassing 128,118 participants ages 13 to 103 from over 20 countries. Using harmonized variables and models, we examined loneliness trajectories and predictors. Analyses revealed that loneliness follows a U-shaped curve, decreasing from young adulthood to midlife and increasing in older adulthood. These patterns were consistent across studies. Several baseline factors (i.e., sex, marital status, physical function, education) were linked to loneliness levels, but few moderated the loneliness trajectories. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of loneliness and underscore the need for targeted interventions to reduce social disparities throughout adulthood.

Language: en

Keywords

coordinated analysis; lifespan development; loneliness