Role of non-face-to-face social contacts in moderating the association between living alone and mental health among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: We examined the association between living alone and mental health and the moderating effects of face-to-face and non-face-to-face social contacts, among community-dwelling older adults.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited Japanese adults older than 60 years, who attended health check-ups held in a suburban town hall in July and August of 2018 and 2019. As mental health outcomes, depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-items, loneliness was assessed using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale 3-items, and happiness was self-rated on a 10-point scale. Face-to-face social contacts were evaluated by participants' frequency of meetings with relatives or friends, whereas non-face-to-face contacts were measured by the frequency of interactions via letter, telephone or e-mail. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between living alone with each mental health outcome and the effect modifications of having face-to-face and non-face-to-face social contacts.

Results: Data from 300 older adults were analysed. The participants' mean age was 73.0 years, 51.3% were female, and 16.0% lived alone. Living alone was significantly associated with poorer mental health. Regarding loneliness and low happiness, having face-to-face and non-face-to-face contacts more than once a week alleviated the adverse association of living alone (loneliness: face-to-face contacts, P = 0.020; non-face-to-face contacts, P = 0.028; happiness: face-to-face contacts, P = 0.020; non-face-to-face contacts, P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that non-face-to-face, as well as face-to-face social contacts have a moderating effect on the adverse association of living alone with loneliness and happiness.

Keywords: Depression; Happiness; Living alone; Loneliness; Non–face-to-face social contacts; Older adults.