Loneliness drives cognitive impairment, can lead to shorter life, study suggests

Older adults who struggle with loneliness face a faster mental and physical decline than those who are strictly socially isolated, according to a University of California, Davis study. The research, published June 15 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, suggests loneliness more strongly drives cognitive impairment and shorter lifespans than being alone.

Why is loneliness different from social isolation?

Loneliness is a perception, while isolation is the physical state of being alone. According to Tomiko Yoneda, an assistant professor of psychology at UC Davis and the study’s lead author, an individual can be in a crowd and feel lonely, or be alone and feel content in their solitude.

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The research team used statistical modeling to track these two factors as older adults moved through stages of cognitive impairment and mortality. The analysis found that social isolation on its own had only a weak association with shorter life and was not consistently linked to cognitive decline.

Did You Know? The study’s findings are based on data from 175,000 participants over the age of 50 across 18 different countries.

How does loneliness drive cognitive impairment?

A 10% increase in reports of feeling lonely was associated with an 8%-9% increased risk of transitioning from no impairment to mild cognitive impairment, or experiencing severely impaired cognitive function, according to the study.

Loneliness also impacts recovery. Researchers found that reporting loneliness more frequently was associated with a 3% lower likelihood of returning from mild cognitive impairment to no impairment. Eileen K. Graham, an associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University, stated that lonelier individuals may be more likely to progress to severe stages and less likely to recover.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that because loneliness acts as a consistent risk factor even before cognitive decline is measurable, early intervention is critical. Addressing the perception of loneliness, rather than just the number of social contacts, could potentially lower the long-term costs associated with dementia and cognitive ailment care.

How could these risks be reduced?

Researchers suggest that strengthening social connections could help individuals worried about cognitive decline. Hospitals and care organizations may be able to incorporate screening tools specifically designed to identify loneliness in patients.

Community-level changes could also play a role. The study authors suggest that creating opportunities for older adults to engage with others and build a sense of belonging may blunt the effects of loneliness on cognitive impairment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between loneliness and social isolation?
Loneliness is the perception of being alone even when surrounded by people, whereas isolation is the physical state of being alone.

What was the specific risk increase linked to loneliness?
A 10% increase in reports of loneliness was associated with an 8%-9% higher risk of severely impaired cognitive function or moving from no impairment to mild impairment.

Who funded this research?
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Do you think community-based programs are the most effective way to combat loneliness in older adults?