Abstract
Objectives: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people - Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015-2018). Setting: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). Participants: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). Results: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1041610220004196 |
Pages (from-to) | 1265-1276 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | International Psychogeriatrics |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- loneliness
- aging
- negative life events
- subjective well-being
- moderation and mediation
- DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
- EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
- SOCIAL LONELINESS
- SATISFACTION
- GENDER
- ADULTS
- HEALTH
- COMMUNITY
- SENSE