The role of loneliness in perceived mastery and life satisfaction among older adults

TL;DR

This study shows that loneliness in older adults reduces their sense of control and life satisfaction, with a significant impact on their health and well-being.

Contribution

The study introduces a new mediation model linking loneliness to life satisfaction through perceived mastery and self-rated health in older adults.

Findings

Higher loneliness is significantly linked to lower perceived mastery and life satisfaction in older adults.

Loneliness indirectly affects life satisfaction through perceived mastery and self-rated health.

Interventions to reduce loneliness could improve older adults' well-being by enhancing their sense of control.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of loneliness on older adults’ quality of life from a relational autonomy perspective. From this perspective, an individual’s perceived social connectedness can influence their psychological and behavioral health. Considering loneliness as a negative aspect of perceived social connectedness, this study explores its impact on perceived autonomy and health status. Utilizing data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N = 2,279), we conducted multiple mediation analyses using PROCESS Macro Model 6 to assess whether these factors explain the association between loneliness and subjective well-being. The results indicate that higher levels of loneliness are significantly associated with lower perceived mastery (b = -0.7107, p < .001), which, in turn, is related to poorer self-rated health and lower life satisfaction. Overall, the total indirect effect of loneliness on life satisfaction is significant (b = -0.2286, 95% CI [-0.2918, -0.1741]). Among the mediation pathways, the primary pathway (Loneliness → Perceived Mastery → Life Satisfaction) shows a significant indirect effect (b = -0.19, 95% CI [-0.2520, -0.1388]). Additionally, a smaller but significant mediation pathway (Loneliness → Perceived Mastery → Self-Rated Health → Life Satisfaction) further contributes to the overall effect (b = -0.0131, 95% CI [-0.0208, -0.0071]). These findings underscore the detrimental effects of loneliness on older adults’ psychological and physical well-being, highlighting the need for interventions that enhance an individual’s sense of control over their lives and foster a more informed perception of their well-being.