Examining the inter-relationships between social isolation and loneliness and their correlates among older British adults before and during the COVID-19 lockdown: evidence from four British longitudinal studies

Abstract

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesUnprecedented social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have provided a new lens for considering the inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness in later life. We present these inter-relationships before and during the COVID-19 restrictions and investigate to what extent demographic, socio-economic, and health factors associated with such experiences differed during the pandemic.Research Design and MethodWe used data from four British longitudinal population-based studies (1946 MRC NSHD, 1958 NCDS, 1970 BCS, and ELSA). Rates, co-occurrences, and correlates of social isolation and loneliness are presented prior to and during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inter-relationships between these experiences are elucidated in both periods.ResultsAcross the four studies, pre-pandemic proportions reporting social isolation ranged from 15 to 54%, with higher rates in older ages (e.g., 32% of 70-79 and 54% of those over 80). During the pandemic, the percentage of older people reporting both social isolation and loneliness and isolation only slightly increased. The inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness did not change. Associations between socio-demographic and health characteristics and social isolation and loneliness also remained consistent, with greater burden among those with greater economic precarity (females, non-homeowners, unemployed, illness and greater financial stress).Discussion and ImplicationsThere were already large inequalities in experiences of social isolation and loneliness and the pandemic had a small impact on worsening these inequalities. The concepts of loneliness and social isolation are not transferable and clarity is needed in how they are conceptualised, operationalised, and interpreted.