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The association between loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances in older adults: A follow-up study from the Swedish good aging in Skåne project

Ekström, Henrik LU ; Svensson, Markus LU ; Elmståhl, Sölve LU and Sandin Wranker, Lena LU (2024) In SAGE Open Medicine 12.
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate whether loneliness and social isolation in a sample of older
adults, mean age of 67.4 years at baseline examination, were associated with sleep disturbances at re-examination at a mean age of 76.4 years.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 2897 participants. Data on loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances
were collected through questionnaires and medical examinations. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify
associations between levels of loneliness and social isolation at baseline and sleep disturbances at follow-up. Sociodemographic and health-related confounding factors were controlled for in the models.
Results: Sleep... (More)
Objectives: The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate whether loneliness and social isolation in a sample of older
adults, mean age of 67.4 years at baseline examination, were associated with sleep disturbances at re-examination at a mean age of 76.4 years.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 2897 participants. Data on loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances
were collected through questionnaires and medical examinations. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify
associations between levels of loneliness and social isolation at baseline and sleep disturbances at follow-up. Sociodemographic and health-related confounding factors were controlled for in the models.
Results: Sleep disturbances were reported by 25.6% (95% CI: 24.0%–27.2%) at baseline and 23.7% (95% CI: 22.1%–25.3%)
at re-examination. Odds ratios for sleep disturbances at re-examination in relation to not being lonely or socially isolated
were as follows: single occasions of loneliness (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.78), recurring periods/constant loneliness (OR:
1.92, 95% CI: 1.01–1.99), less severe social isolation (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.78–1.79), and severe social isolation (OR: 1.88,
95% CI: 1.01–3.49).
Discussion: Sleep disturbances are common among older adults and are associated with loneliness and social isolation.
Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential effects of loneliness and social isolation when investigating sleep disturbances in older adults. (Less)
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; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
SAGE Open Medicine
volume
12
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:85182669116
  • pmid:38249948
ISSN
2050-3121
DOI
10.1177/20503121231222823
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
39295c0b-1fc9-41fa-b381-b9a34a3b4548
date added to LUP
2024-01-18 15:17:43
date last changed
2024-04-19 03:00:16
@article{39295c0b-1fc9-41fa-b381-b9a34a3b4548,
  abstract     = {{Objectives: The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate whether loneliness and social isolation in a sample of older<br/>adults, mean age of 67.4 years at baseline examination, were associated with sleep disturbances at re-examination at a mean age of 76.4 years.<br/>Methods: The study sample consisted of 2897 participants. Data on loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances<br/>were collected through questionnaires and medical examinations. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify<br/>associations between levels of loneliness and social isolation at baseline and sleep disturbances at follow-up. Sociodemographic and health-related confounding factors were controlled for in the models.<br/>Results: Sleep disturbances were reported by 25.6% (95% CI: 24.0%–27.2%) at baseline and 23.7% (95% CI: 22.1%–25.3%)<br/>at re-examination. Odds ratios for sleep disturbances at re-examination in relation to not being lonely or socially isolated<br/>were as follows: single occasions of loneliness (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.78), recurring periods/constant loneliness (OR:<br/>1.92, 95% CI: 1.01–1.99), less severe social isolation (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.78–1.79), and severe social isolation (OR: 1.88,<br/>95% CI: 1.01–3.49).<br/>Discussion: Sleep disturbances are common among older adults and are associated with loneliness and social isolation.<br/>Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential effects of loneliness and social isolation when investigating sleep disturbances in older adults.}},
  author       = {{Ekström, Henrik and Svensson, Markus and Elmståhl, Sölve and Sandin Wranker, Lena}},
  issn         = {{2050-3121}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{SAGE Open Medicine}},
  title        = {{The association between loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances in older adults: A follow-up study from the Swedish good aging in Skåne project}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20503121231222823}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/20503121231222823}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}