Negative old-age life events and well-being in later life: the moderating and mediating role of loneliness

Lise Switsers · Joan Domènech‐Abella · Liesbeth De Donder · Sarah Dury

21 citations0/0 files storedInternational Psychogeriatrics

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Aging and Gerontology Research Aging, Health, and Disability Health disparities and outcomes

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people - Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015-2018). SETTING: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). PARTICIPANTS: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. MEASUREMENTS: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). RESULTS: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.

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References

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2024Overview of the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents: A meta-analysis 2024Loneliness prevalence of community-dwelling older adults and the impact of the mode of measurement, data collection, and country: A systematic review and meta-analysis 2021The “timbre” of loneliness in later life 2026Life Stressors and Loneliness in Older Adults: The Role of Family Functioning and Self-Perceptions of Aging

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