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Abstract
Objectives: This study examined whether levels of chronic illness predict enhanced feelings of loneliness in older adulthood. In addition, it investigated whether engagement in health-related self-protection (e.g., positive reappraisals), but not in health engagement control strategies (e.g., investment of time and effort), would buffer the adverse effect of chronic illness on older adults’ feelings of loneliness. Method: Loneliness was examined repeatedly in 2-year intervals over 8 years in a longitudinal study of 121 community-dwelling older adults (Time 1 age = 64 to 83 years). In addition, levels of chronic illness, health-related control strategies, and sociodemographic variables were assessed at baseline. Results: Growth-curve models showed that loneliness linearly increased over time and that this effect was observed only among participants who reported high, but not low, baseline levels of chronic illness. In addition, health-related self-protection, but not health engagement control strategies, buffered the adverse effect of chronic illness on increases in loneliness. Conclusions: Loneliness increases in older adulthood as a function of chronic illness. Older adults who engage in self-protective strategies to cope with their health threats might be protected from experiencing this adverse effect.
Research demonstrates a robust directional effect of loneliness on physical health problems across the life span (Caspi et al., 2006; Hawkley et al., 2006; Sorkin, Rook, & Lu, 2002). This association is most pronounced in old age, where loneliness has been implicated in patterns of morbidity and mortality (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). It is suprising, however, that there is a paucity of research examining whether physical health problems could also influence older adults’ feelings of loneliness. According to life span development theories, common age-related challenges, such as the experience of chronic illness, can trigger emotional distress and thus could also contribute to loneliness (e.g., Heckhausen, Wrosch, & Schulz, 2010). In addition, these theories postulate that the use of self-protective control strategies (e.g., positive reappraisals) might prevent the emotional distress caused...