Life course circumstances and adversities for loneliness in later life: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Background: The onset of loneliness in the later life context has been attributed to the occurrence of considerable changes in life circumstances that are particularly related to older age. Despite this, earlier life circumstances and adversities may have longer-term implications and exert influence on loneliness in later life. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed aiming to provide an updated analysis of studies investigating the association between circumstances and adversities throughout the life course and loneliness in later life. Full database searches were conducted across electronic databases for articles published between 2010 and July 2019. The literature review followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and the quality of studies was rated by means of QUALSYST tool. Results: Nine studies were identified out of 863 retrieved by the systematic search. Studies included were longitudinal (7) and cross-sectional (2). The quality of studies has proven to be high (Quality scores from .77 to .91; mean: .84; median: .86). Later life loneliness has been investigated mainly at the individual and interpersonal levels. In childhood, only sociodemographic, social, and family relationship factors are investigated as influencing changes towards later life loneliness. Life adversities experienced during mid and later adulthood show more consistent associations between later life loneliness and sociodemographic, health, psychological conditions, living arrangements and social and family relationships. Conclusions: This systematic review has revealed that literature offers scarce evidence on life stage circumstances and adversities regarding later life loneliness. The available evidence is mostly focused on life adversities experienced during later adulthood. An in-depth understanding about the changes faced by individuals for nearly a lifetime gains considerable prominence for designing strategies to prevent loneliness from becoming an increasingly painful or even a chronic experience.