Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Increasing in popularity, retirement living communities have the prospect for increased social connection to counteract loneliness, a major public health concern. This study investigated prevalence and factors associated with loneliness for older Australians in retirement communi...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06099-x |
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| author | Georgina Johnstone Angela Joe Marissa Dickins Judy A. Lowthian |
| author_facet | Georgina Johnstone Angela Joe Marissa Dickins Judy A. Lowthian |
| author_sort | Georgina Johnstone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Increasing in popularity, retirement living communities have the prospect for increased social connection to counteract loneliness, a major public health concern. This study investigated prevalence and factors associated with loneliness for older Australians in retirement communities. Methods A cross-sectional health and wellbeing survey, including the UCLA-3 Loneliness scale, was completed by 1,178 individuals aged ≥ 65 from retirement villages throughout Queensland and New South Wales, Australia in September 2021. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was utilised to determine modifiable resident characteristics associated with loneliness. Results Almost one-fifth (n = 229, 19.4%) were classified as lonely (UCLA-3 score = 6–9). Factors associated with loneliness were mood (often feeling sad or depressed) (OR = 6.13, p < 0.001), living alone (OR = 2.86, p < 0.001), not having someone to count on for help (sometimes having someone: OR = 2.85, p < 0.001; never having someone: OR = 4.74, p < 0.001), pain interfering with usual activities (OR = 2.18, p = 0.001), being admitted to hospital in the past year (1–2 times: OR = 1.59, p = 0.04, ≥ 3 times: OR = 2.3, p = 0.04), falls in past year (OR = 1.75, p = 0.01), memory problems (OR = 1.59, p = 0.03). Time residing in the village protected against loneliness, with individuals living there for one year or longer having half the odds of feeling lonely (OR = 0.49, p = 0.01) than those living there less than a year. Conclusions Findings suggest that both psychological and physical factors are associated with experiencing loneliness, in addition to increased susceptibility upon village entry. Identification of these factors permits co-design and implementation of targeted initiatives to support residents’ social wellbeing. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ee407ea82434f0199ba612c85228f7d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ee407ea82434f0199ba612c85228f7d2025-08-20T03:04:15ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-07-0125111310.1186/s12877-025-06099-xLoneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional studyGeorgina Johnstone0Angela Joe1Marissa Dickins2Judy A. Lowthian3Bolton Clarke Research InstituteBolton Clarke Research InstituteBolton Clarke Research InstituteBolton Clarke Research InstituteAbstract Background Increasing in popularity, retirement living communities have the prospect for increased social connection to counteract loneliness, a major public health concern. This study investigated prevalence and factors associated with loneliness for older Australians in retirement communities. Methods A cross-sectional health and wellbeing survey, including the UCLA-3 Loneliness scale, was completed by 1,178 individuals aged ≥ 65 from retirement villages throughout Queensland and New South Wales, Australia in September 2021. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was utilised to determine modifiable resident characteristics associated with loneliness. Results Almost one-fifth (n = 229, 19.4%) were classified as lonely (UCLA-3 score = 6–9). Factors associated with loneliness were mood (often feeling sad or depressed) (OR = 6.13, p < 0.001), living alone (OR = 2.86, p < 0.001), not having someone to count on for help (sometimes having someone: OR = 2.85, p < 0.001; never having someone: OR = 4.74, p < 0.001), pain interfering with usual activities (OR = 2.18, p = 0.001), being admitted to hospital in the past year (1–2 times: OR = 1.59, p = 0.04, ≥ 3 times: OR = 2.3, p = 0.04), falls in past year (OR = 1.75, p = 0.01), memory problems (OR = 1.59, p = 0.03). Time residing in the village protected against loneliness, with individuals living there for one year or longer having half the odds of feeling lonely (OR = 0.49, p = 0.01) than those living there less than a year. Conclusions Findings suggest that both psychological and physical factors are associated with experiencing loneliness, in addition to increased susceptibility upon village entry. Identification of these factors permits co-design and implementation of targeted initiatives to support residents’ social wellbeing. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06099-xRetirement villageRetirement communityIndependent livingPositive ageingLoneliness |
| spellingShingle | Georgina Johnstone Angela Joe Marissa Dickins Judy A. Lowthian Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study BMC Geriatrics Retirement village Retirement community Independent living Positive ageing Loneliness |
| title | Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Loneliness and its associated factors in older Australians residing in retirement living communities: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | loneliness and its associated factors in older australians residing in retirement living communities a cross sectional study |
| topic | Retirement village Retirement community Independent living Positive ageing Loneliness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06099-x |
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