Abstract:
<h4>Objectives</h4>There is evidence that loneliness is detrimental to the subjective well-being of older adults. However, little is known on this topic for the cohort of those in advanced age (80 years or over) which today is the fastest growing age group in the New Zealand population. We examined the relationships between loneliness and selected subjective well-being outcomes over five years.<h4>Methods</h4>We used a regional, bicultural sample of those in advanced age from 2010 to 2015 (LiLACS NZ). The first wave enrolled 937 people (92% of whom were living in the community): 421 Māori (Indigenous New Zealanders aged 80-90 years) and 516 non-Māori aged 85 years. We applied standard regression techniques to baseline data and mixed effects models to longitudinal data, while adjusting for socio-demographic factors.<h4>Results</h4>For both Māori and non-Māori, strong negative associations between loneliness and subjective well-being were found at baseline. In longitudinal analyses, we found that loneliness was negatively associated with life satisfaction as well as with mental health-related quality of life.<h4>Discussion</h4>Our findings of adverse impacts on subjective well-being corroborate other evidence, highlighting loneliness as a prime candidate for intervention - appropriate to cultural context - to improve well-being for adults in advanced age.
