Changes in prevalence of loneliness over time in institutional settings, and associated factors

A H Jansson; N Savikko; H Kautiainen; H-M Roitto; K H Pitkälä

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104043

Changes in prevalence of loneliness over time in institutional settings, and associated factors

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2020 Jul-Aug:89:104043. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104043. Epub 2020 May 12.

Authors

A H Jansson¹, N Savikko², H Kautiainen³, H-M Roitto⁴, K H Pitkälä⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Practice and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Unit of Primary Health Care, PO Box 20, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: anu.jansson@vtkl.fi.
² Department of General Practice and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Unit of Primary Health Care, PO Box 20, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; City of Espoo, Asemakuja 2 A, FI-02070, Espoo, Finland. Electronic address: niina.savikko@espoo.fi.
³ Department of General Practice and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Unit of Primary Health Care, PO Box 20, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Unit of Primary Health Care, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: hannu.kautiainen@medcare.fi.
⁴ Department of General Practice and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Unit of Primary Health Care, PO Box 20, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Social Services and Health Care, Helsinki Hospital, Helsinki Hospital Geriatric Clinic, PO Box 6600, FI-00099, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: hanna-maria.roitto@hel.fi.
⁵ Department of General Practice and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Unit of Primary Health Care, PO Box 20, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Unit of Primary Health Care, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: kaisu.pitkala@helsinki.fi.

PMID: 32442846
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104043

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of loneliness over time from 2011 to 2017 in long-term care facilities; and its related factors.

Material and methods: Repeated cross-sectional studies exploring loneliness and its associated factors among residents in long-term care facilities were conducted in Helsinki, Finland in 2011 (N = 4966) and 2017 (N = 3767). Residents in temporary respite care or with severe cognitive impairment, and those unable or refusing to respond to the loneliness item were excluded. The total number of participants in this analysis was 1563 in 2011, and 1367 in 2017. In both samples, we used the same loneliness measurement by asking "Do you suffer from loneliness?" (never/sometimes/often or always). When comparing the samples in order to reduce the effect of confounding between them, we used propensity score matching. A multivariable logistic regression model explored the relationship between various characteristics and loneliness.

Results: Loneliness showed no change in prevalence over time: propensity score-adjusted loneliness was 36 % in 2011 and 2017. In the multivariate logistic regression model, feeling depressed was the only independent characteristic associated with loneliness. Of the respondents who did not feel depressed, 24 % suffered from loneliness at least sometimes. Among the respondents who felt depressed, the respective figure was 55 %.

Conclusion: Loneliness is common in institutional settings. It remained stable, and not decreased over time. Because loneliness impairs the well-being, quality of life and health of residents, it needs to be addressed. Screening loneliness and developing interventions to alleviate it, is essential.

Keywords: Aged; Depression; Loneliness; Long-term care; Temporal trend.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Finland / epidemiology
Humans
Loneliness*
Prevalence
Quality of Life*