Getting lonely and isolated? Transitions in social isolation profiles over time and factors associated with them among older adults

Abstract

The interplay between the structural, functional, and evaluative dimensions of social isolation and their temporal dynamics remains underexplored. We investigated (1) older adults’ distinct social isolation profiles, each characterized by varying degrees of social ties, perceived social support, and loneliness; (2) the stability and changes in these profiles over time; and (3) factors associated with key transition patterns. Using random-intercept latent transition analysis on two-wave longitudinal data from 1305 older Singaporeans aged 60–91 years, we identified five time-invariant profiles: (1) diverse ties and support, less lonely (24.4 % at baseline); (2) relative ties and support, less lonely (25.8 %); (3) friend ties and support, less lonely (9.3 %); (4) less supportive ties, less lonely (31.1 %); and (5) less supportive ties, lonely (9.4 %). Over time, more than half of the respondents (56.1 %) changed profiles. Specifically, less educated and financially insecure older adults were more likely to transition from profiles with supportive ties (profiles 1–3) to the profile with less supportive ties (profile 4), without a concomitant rise in loneliness. Instead, increases in depressive symptoms were associated with persistence in or transition into the lonely profile (profile 5). Overall, socioeconomic disadvantages and deteriorating mental health were identified as distinct risk factors for reduced perceived support and loneliness, respectively, highlighting the necessity for tailored interventions.