Universität zu Köln

Luhmann, Maike ORCID: 0000-0001-6211-9304 and Hawkley, Louise C. (2016). Age Differences in Loneliness From Late Adolescence to Oldest Old Age. Dev. Psychol., 52 (6). S. 943 - 960. WASHINGTON: AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. ISSN 1939-0599

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Abstract

Contrary to common stereotypes, loneliness is not restricted to old age but can occur at any life stage. In this study, we used data from a large, nationally representative German study (N = 16,132) to describe and explain age differences in loneliness from late adolescence to oldest old age. The age distribution of loneliness followed a complex nonlinear trajectory, with elevated loneliness levels among young adults and among the oldest old. The late-life increase in loneliness could be explained by lower income levels, higher prevalence of functional limitations, and higher proportion of singles in this age group. Consistent with an age-normative perspective, the association of income, relationship status, household size, and work status with loneliness differed between different age groups. In contrast, indicators of the quantity of social relationships (social engagement, number of friends, contact frequency) were universally associated with loneliness regardless of age. Overall, these findings show that sources of loneliness in older adults are well understood. Future research should focus on understanding the specific sources of loneliness in middle-aged adults.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Luhmann, Maike UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-6211-9304 UNSPECIFIED Hawkley, Louise C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-274387
DOI:	10.1037/dev0000117
Journal or Publication Title:	Dev. Psychol.
Volume:	52
Number:	6
Page Range:	S. 943 - 960
Date:	2016
Publisher:	AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Place of Publication:	WASHINGTON
ISSN:	1939-0599
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT; RISK-FACTORS; HEALTH; PREDICTORS; MORTALITY; BELIEFS; QUALITY; PEOPLE; ADULTS; SCALE Multiple languages Psychology, Developmental Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/27438