Social isolation, loneliness, and all-cause mortality in older men and women

Both social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased mortality, but it is uncertain whether their effects are independent or whether loneliness represents the emotional pathway through which social isolation impairs health. We therefore assessed the extent to which the association between social isolation and mortality is mediated by loneliness. We assessed social isolation in terms of contact with family and friends and participation in civic organizations in 6,500 men and women aged 52 and older who took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in 2004-2005. A standard questionnaire measure of loneliness was administered also. We monitored all-cause mortality up to March 2012 (mean…

• GO
  Government of the United Kingdom
• CR
  Cancer Research UK
• BH
  British Heart Foundation
• UC
  University College London
• EA
  Economic and Social Research Council

  Award: ES/K003178/1
• NI
  National Institute on Aging

  Awards: 2R01AG7644, 2R01AG7644-01A1, 2R01AG017644