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Loneliness, Social Networks, and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe
  • Francisco Félix Caballero
  • Beatriz Olaya
  • Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk
  • Seppo Koskinen
  • Matilde Leonardi
  • Josep Maria Haro
  • Somnath Chatterji
  • José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
  • Marta Miret
Abstract
Objective: It is widely recognized that social networks and loneliness have effects on health. The present study assesses the differential association that the components of the social network and the subjective perception of loneliness have with health, and analyzes whether this association is different across different countries. Methods: A total of 10 800 adults were interviewed in Finland, Poland and Spain. Loneliness was assessed by means of the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Individuals’ social networks were measured by asking about the number of members in the network, how often they had contacts with these members, and whether they had a close relationship. The differential association of loneliness and the components of the social network with health was assessed by means of hierarchical linear regression models, controlling for relevant covariates. Results: In all three countries, loneliness was the variable most strongly correlated with health after controlling for depression, age, and other covariates. Loneliness contributed more strongly to health than any component of the social network. The relationship between loneliness and health was stronger in Finland (|β| = 0.25) than in Poland (|β| = 0.16) and Spain (|β| = 0.18). Frequency of contact was the only component of the social network that was moderately correlated with health. Conclusions: Loneliness has a stronger association with health than the components of the social network. This association is similar in three different European countries with different socio-economic and health characteristics and welfare systems. The importance of evaluating and screening feelings of loneliness in individuals with health problems should be taken into account. Further studies are needed in order to be able to confirm the associations found in the present study and infer causality.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe & Francisco Félix Caballero & Beatriz Olaya & Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk & Seppo Koskinen & Matilde Leonardi & Josep Maria Haro & Somnath Chatterji & José Luis Ayuso-Mateos & Ma, 2016. "Loneliness, Social Networks, and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0145264
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145264
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    1. Åkerlind, Ingemar & Hörnquist, Jan Olof, 1992. "Loneliness and alcohol abuse: A review of evidences of an interplay," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 405-414, February.
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    2. Honda, Hikaru & Kita, Toshiko & Hirano, Michiyo & Saeki, Kazuko, 2020. "A strategy to rescue mothers from isolated parenting: Development of the “social connectivity of mother with people in the community scale”," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. David McDaid & A-La Park, 2022. "Understanding the Economic Value and Impacts on Informal Carers of People Living with Mental Health Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, March.
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    5. David Cantarero-Prieto & Marta Pascual-Sáez & Carla Blázquez-Fernández, 2018. "Social isolation and multiple chronic diseases after age 50: A European macro-regional analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-12, October.
    6. Laura Alejandra Rico-Uribe & Francisco Félix Caballero & Natalia Martín-María & María Cabello & José Luis Ayuso-Mateos & Marta Miret, 2018. "Association of loneliness with all-cause mortality: A meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Daniel Cuesta-Lozano & Leticia Carmen Simón-López & Rubén Mirón-González & Montserrat García-Sastre & Daniel Bonito-Samino & Ángel L. Asenjo-Esteve, 2020. "Prevalence Rates of Loneliness and Its Impact on Lifestyle in the Healthy Population of Madrid, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-12, July.
    8. Lara, Elvira & Moreno-Agostino, Darío & Martín-María, Natalia & Miret, Marta & Rico-Uribe, Laura Alejandra & Olaya, Beatriz & Cabello, María & Haro, Josep Maria & Ayuso-Mateos, José Luis, 2020. "Exploring the effect of loneliness on all-cause mortality: Are there differences between older adults and younger and middle-aged adults?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    9. Michael L Goodman & Aleisha J Elliott & Stanley Gitari & Philip Keiser & Erica Onwuegbuchu & Nicole Michael & Sarah Seidel, 2021. "Come Together to Decrease Depression: Women’s mental health, social capital, and participation in a Kenyan combined microfinance program," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(6), pages 613-621, September.
    10. Eduardo Luiz Mendonça Martins & Laís Cunha Salamene & Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti & Giancarlo Lucchetti, 2022. "The association of mental health with positive behaviours, attitudes and virtues in community-dwelling older adults: Results of a population-based study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(2), pages 392-402, March.
    11. Rachelle Meisters & Polina Putrik & Daan Westra & Hans Bosma & Dirk Ruwaard & Maria Jansen, 2021. "Is Loneliness an Undervalued Pathway between Socio-Economic Disadvantage and Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.

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