Two new studies indicate that older people are not any lonelier than those of previous generations, according to a news release from the American Psychological Association. Individuals born during later generations could actually be less lonely because of a greater sense of control over their own lives., loneliness contributes to a 45 percent increased risk of mortality in aging adults who report loneliness.
"We found that older adults who felt more in control and therefore managed certain aspects of their lives well, such as maintaining a positive attitude, and set goals, such as going to the gym, were less lonely," said Bianca Suanet, Ph.D. of Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam."Additionally, as is well-known in loneliness research, participants who had a significant other and/or larger and more diverse networks were also less lonely.
Conclusions from that study indicated that older adults need to take it upon themselves to be social and make friends, nurturing relationships that help them overcome the loneliness of growing older. In addition, any interventions designed to reduce loneliness should not offer social outlets alone, but encourage older adults' sense of control.