Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): a longitudinal mediation analysis.
By Z. Santini, Paul E. Jose, Erin York Cornwell, A. Koyanagi, Line Nielsen, C. Hinrichsen, C. Meilstrup, K. R. Madsen, V. Koushede. Lancet Public Health, 2020
1,327 citations recorded by the source corpus.
BACKGROUND Research indicates that social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of mental disorders, but less is known about the distinct contributions of different aspects of isolation. We aimed to distinguish the pathways through which social disconnectedness (eg, small social network, infrequent social interaction) and perceptions of social isolation (eg, loneliness, perceived lack of support) contribute to anxiety and depression symptom severity in community-residing older adults aged 57-85 years at baseline. METHODS We did a longitudinal mediation analysis with data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). The study included individuals from the USA born between 1920 and 1947. Validated measures on social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and depression and anxiety symptoms were used. Structural equation modelling was used to construct complete longitudinal path models. FINDINGS Using data from 3005 adults aged 57-85 years, we identified two significant longitudinal mediation patterns with symptoms of depression, and two with anxiety symptoms. Overall, social disconnectedness predicted higher subsequent perceived isolation (β=0·09; p<0·0001), which in turn predicted higher depression symptoms (β=0·12; p<0·0001) and anxiety symptoms (β=0·12; p<0·0001). The reverse pathways were statistically supported as well, suggesting bi-directional influences. INTERPRETATION Social network structure and function are strongly intertwined with anxiety and depression symptoms in the general population of older adults. Public health initiatives could reduce perceived isolation by facilitating social network integration and participation in community activities, thereby protecting against the development of affective disorders. FUNDING Nordea-fonden.
Subfields: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Health, Social Psychology
View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/92e6bf8daf5920ee50a7bfd96e7e3d5eb23eb1e2
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Citations in the corpus
- The Trajectory of Loneliness in Response to COVID-19 (2020, background): “Loneliness in older adulthood, for example, increases risk of depression and anxiety (Santini et al., 2020), physical health problems (Penninx et al., 1999; Stickley & Koyanagi, 2018), and ultimately leads to premature mortality (O’Súilleabháin et al., 2019; Pantell et al., 2013).”
- The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations (2024, background): “A mediation analysis has found support for a pathway from social isolation to loneliness and subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms 223 , though again bidirectionality was observed.”