TY - JOUR
T1 - Overview of the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents
T2 - A meta-analysis
AU - Susanty, Sri
AU - Nadirawati, Nadirawati
AU - Setiawan, Agus
AU - Haroen, Hartiah
AU - Pebrianti, Sandra
AU - Harun, Hasniatisari
AU - Azissah, Danur
AU - Suyanto, Jipri
AU - Sarasmita, Made Ary
AU - Chipojola, Rose
AU - Khwepeya, Madalitso
AU - Banda, Kondwani Joseph
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024
PY - 2025/1
Y1 - 2025/1
N2 - Background: Globally, loneliness is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental and physical health among older adults. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and references lists were comprehensively searched until April 2024. Data analysis was performed using Logit Transformation model in R-Software for pooled prevalence and DerSimonian-Lard random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis for associated factors of loneliness. Heterogeneity was quantified by I2 and τ2 statistics. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test assessed publication bias. Results: A total of 70 studies with 462,083 older adults were included. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 26 % (95 %CI, 23 %–30 %) with 38 % for North America, 34 % for Africa, 32 % for Asia and South America, 23 % for Europe, and 13 % for Oceania. Cognitive impairment (2.98; 95 %CI, 1.30–6.81), poor health (2.35; 95 %CI, 1.59–3.45), female (1.92; 95 %CI, 1.53–2.41), depression (1.74; 95 %CI, 1.40–2.16), widowed (1.67; 95 %CI, 1.13–2.48), single (1.51; 95 %CI, 1.06–2.17), institutionalization (2.95; 95 %CI, 1.48–5.88), rural residency (1.18; 95 %CI, 1.04–1.34) were associated with increased risk of loneliness. Being married (0.51; 95 %CI, 0.31–0.82), male (0.55; 95 %CI, 0.43–0.70), and non-institutionalization (0.34; 95 %CI, 0.17–0.68) were associated with lower risk of loneliness. Conclusion: Approximately, three among ten older adults aged ≥ 60 years are lonely worldwide. Early detection, prevention, and management of loneliness among older adults should consider diverse needs using gender-specific approaches.
AB - Background: Globally, loneliness is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental and physical health among older adults. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and references lists were comprehensively searched until April 2024. Data analysis was performed using Logit Transformation model in R-Software for pooled prevalence and DerSimonian-Lard random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis for associated factors of loneliness. Heterogeneity was quantified by I2 and τ2 statistics. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test assessed publication bias. Results: A total of 70 studies with 462,083 older adults were included. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 26 % (95 %CI, 23 %–30 %) with 38 % for North America, 34 % for Africa, 32 % for Asia and South America, 23 % for Europe, and 13 % for Oceania. Cognitive impairment (2.98; 95 %CI, 1.30–6.81), poor health (2.35; 95 %CI, 1.59–3.45), female (1.92; 95 %CI, 1.53–2.41), depression (1.74; 95 %CI, 1.40–2.16), widowed (1.67; 95 %CI, 1.13–2.48), single (1.51; 95 %CI, 1.06–2.17), institutionalization (2.95; 95 %CI, 1.48–5.88), rural residency (1.18; 95 %CI, 1.04–1.34) were associated with increased risk of loneliness. Being married (0.51; 95 %CI, 0.31–0.82), male (0.55; 95 %CI, 0.43–0.70), and non-institutionalization (0.34; 95 %CI, 0.17–0.68) were associated with lower risk of loneliness. Conclusion: Approximately, three among ten older adults aged ≥ 60 years are lonely worldwide. Early detection, prevention, and management of loneliness among older adults should consider diverse needs using gender-specific approaches.
KW - Associated factors
KW - Loneliness
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Older adults
KW - Prevalence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203632686&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105627
DO - 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105627
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85203632686
SN - 0167-4943
VL - 128
JO - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
JF - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
M1 - 105627
ER -