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Loneliness and depression in the elderly: the role of social network

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Abstract

Purpose

Loneliness and depression are associated, in particular in older adults. Less is known about the role of social networks in this relationship. The present study analyzes the influence of social networks in the relationship between loneliness and depression in the older adult population in Spain.

Methods

A population-representative sample of 3535 adults aged 50 years and over from Spain was analyzed. Loneliness was assessed by means of the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Social network characteristics were measured using the Berkman–Syme Social Network Index. Major depression in the previous 12 months was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the survey data.

Results

Feelings of loneliness were more prevalent in women, those who were younger (50–65), single, separated, divorced or widowed, living in a rural setting, with a lower frequency of social interactions and smaller social network, and with major depression. Among people feeling lonely, those with depression were more frequently married and had a small social network. Among those not feeling lonely, depression was associated with being previously married. In depressed people, feelings of loneliness were associated with having a small social network; while among those without depression, feelings of loneliness were associated with being married.

Conclusion

The type and size of social networks have a role in the relationship between loneliness and depression. Increasing social interaction may be more beneficial than strategies based on improving maladaptive social cognition in loneliness to reduce the prevalence of depression among Spanish older adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research, Innovation and Teaching Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Joan Domènech-Abella, Elvira Lara, Beatriz Olaya, Maria Victoria Moneta & Josep Maria Haro

  2. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain

    Joan Domènech-Abella, Elvira Lara, Beatriz Olaya, Maria Victoria Moneta, Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe, Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos & Josep Maria Haro

  3. Department of Sociology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Joan Domènech-Abella & Jordi Mundó

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Elvira Lara

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe & Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos

  6. Spanish Network of Research on Preventive Activities and Health Promotion in Primary Care, Barcelona, Spain

    Maria Rubio-Valera

  7. Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain

    Maria Rubio-Valera, Beatriz Olaya & Maria Victoria Moneta

  8. Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Maria Rubio-Valera

  9. Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IP), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain

    Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos & Josep Maria Haro

Authors
  1. Joan Domènech-Abella
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  2. Elvira Lara
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  3. Maria Rubio-Valera
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  4. Beatriz Olaya
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  6. Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe
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  7. Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos
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  8. Jordi Mundó
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  9. Josep Maria Haro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joan Domènech-Abella.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Josep Maria Haro is a consultant of Eli Lilly and Co, Roche, Lundbeck and Otsuka. None of these activities are related to the current project. For the remaining authors, none were declared.

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Domènech-Abella, J., Lara, E., Rubio-Valera, M. et al. Loneliness and depression in the elderly: the role of social network. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 52, 381–390 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-017-1339-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-017-1339-3

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