Effects of Situational Loneliness on Mental Health and Sleep Health Outcomes among White Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined the cross-sectional and 2-year prospective associations between situational loneliness and health outcomes in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data were collected using an online survey that evaluated behaviors (e.g., socialization) and health outcomes at two points (May–June 2020 and October–November 2022) during the pandemic. Logistic regression was used to analyze the cross-sectional associations between situational loneliness and health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep health) while linear regression was used to examine the prospective associations.

In a sample of 428 older adults (age 65 +), situational loneliness was associated with short-term, but not long-term, increases in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and problems with sleep.

Findings suggest that the older adult population demonstrates resilience in the face of short-term increases in loneliness. Thus, promoting resilience may be a promising strategy for mitigating the negative consequences of situational loneliness.