Are U.S. older adults getting lonelier? No evidence that loneliness is substantially higher among the Baby Boomers or that it has increased over the past decade

Hawkley, L. C., Wroblewski, K., Kaiser, T., Luhmann, M., & Schumm, L. P. Are U.S. older adults getting lonelier?: Age, period, and cohort differences. Psychology and Aging, accepted. https://osf.io/cu8g7

Media portrayals of a loneliness “epidemic” are premised on an increase in the proportion of people living alone and decreases in rates of civic engagement and religious affiliation over recent decades. However, loneliness is a subjective perception that does not correspond perfectly with objective social circumstances. In this study, we examine whether perceived loneliness is greater among the Baby Boomers—individuals born 1948–1965—relative to those born 1920–1947, and whether older adults have become lonelier over the past decade (2005–2016). We use data from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) and from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected during 2005–16 to estimate diferences in loneliness associated with age, birth year and survey timepoint. Overall, loneliness decreases with age through the early 70s, after which it increases. We fnd no evidence that loneliness is substantially higher among the Baby Boomers or that it has increased over the past decade. Loneliness is however associated with poor health, living alone or without a spouse/partner and having fewer close family and friends, which together account for the overall increase in loneliness after age 75. Although these data do not support the idea that older adults are becoming lonelier, the actual number of lonely individuals may increase as the Baby Boomers age into their 80s and beyond. Our results suggest that attention to social factors and improving health may help to mitigate this.

Keywords: Loneliness, age-period-cohort efects, Baby Boom cohorts