Structure and function of social networks, loneliness, and their association with mental disorders among older men and women in Ireland: A prospective community-based study

Abstract

Introduction

Interpersonal stressors and social isolation are detrimental for emotional health, but how these factors are related to loneliness and altogether influence risk for mental disorders is not well understood.

Objectives

To examine the mediating role of loneliness in the associations of relationship quality and social networks with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and worry among a sample of Irish men and women in late-life.

Aims

To determine the gender-specific risk for mental disorder associated with poor social relationships and loneliness among older adults.

Methods

Data came from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Nationally representative data on 6105 community-dwelling adults aged > 50 years were analyzed. Follow-up data was obtained two years after cohort inception. Multivariable linear regressions and mediation analyses were used to assess the associations. Analyses were stratified by gender.

Results

Better spousal relationship quality was protective against depressive symptoms and worry for men. For both genders, support from friends was protective against depressive symptoms, and better relationship quality with children was protective against depressive symptoms and worry. Social network integration was inversely related to depressive symptoms for men. Loneliness significantly mediated most associations (Tables 1–3).

Conclusions

High quality spousal relationships and social integration appear to play a more central role for mental health among men than for women. For both genders, poor social relationships increase feelings of loneliness, which in turn worsens mental health. Interventions to improve relationship quality and social networks, with a focus on reducing loneliness, may be beneficial for the prevention of mental disorders among older adults.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Table 1 Loneliness^a as a mediator of the link between relationship quality^b, social networks^c and depressive symptoms^d at 2-year follow-up in older adults.

Table 2 Loneliness^a as a mediator of the link between relationship quality^b, social networks^c and anxiety^d at 2-year follow-up in older adults.

Table 3 Loneliness^a as a mediator of the link between relationship quality^b, social networks^c and depressive worry^d at 2-year follow-up in older adults.