Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.

Multimorbidity has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes although as yet, there has been little research on its association with loneliness. This study examined the association between physical multimorbidity (≥ 2 physical diseases) and loneliness in the general population and its potential...

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Main Authors: Andrew Stickley, Ai Koyanagi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2018-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5783394?pdf=render
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spelling doaj-b0d59e4622bf444abae37379c4a5b5362020-11-25T01:10:57ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032018-01-01131e019165110.1371/journal.pone.0191651Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.Andrew StickleyAi KoyanagiMultimorbidity has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes although as yet, there has been little research on its association with loneliness. This study examined the association between physical multimorbidity (≥ 2 physical diseases) and loneliness in the general population and its potential mediators. Data came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 (N = 7403, aged ≥16 years). Information was obtained on 20 doctor diagnosed physical conditions that were present in the previous year. An item from the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) was used to obtain information on loneliness. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. An increasing number of physical diseases was associated with higher odds for loneliness. Compared to no physical diseases, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval: CI) for loneliness increased from 1.34 (1.13-1.59) to 2.82 (2.11-3.78) between one and ≥5 physical diseases. This association was particularly strong in the youngest age group (i.e. 16-44 years). The loneliness-physical multimorbidity association was significantly mediated by stressful life events (% mediated 11.1%-30.5%), anxiety (30.2%), and depression (15.4%). Physical multimorbidity is associated with increased odds for loneliness. Prospective research is now needed to further elucidate this association and the factors that underlie it.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5783394?pdf=render
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Andrew Stickley
Ai Koyanagi
spellingShingle Andrew Stickley
Ai Koyanagi
Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
PLoS ONE
author_facet Andrew Stickley
Ai Koyanagi
author_sort Andrew Stickley
title Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
title_short Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
title_full Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
title_fullStr Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
title_full_unstemmed Physical multimorbidity and loneliness: A population-based study.
title_sort physical multimorbidity and loneliness: a population-based study.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS ONE
issn 1932-6203
publishDate 2018-01-01
description Multimorbidity has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes although as yet, there has been little research on its association with loneliness. This study examined the association between physical multimorbidity (≥ 2 physical diseases) and loneliness in the general population and its potential mediators. Data came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 (N = 7403, aged ≥16 years). Information was obtained on 20 doctor diagnosed physical conditions that were present in the previous year. An item from the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) was used to obtain information on loneliness. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. An increasing number of physical diseases was associated with higher odds for loneliness. Compared to no physical diseases, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval: CI) for loneliness increased from 1.34 (1.13-1.59) to 2.82 (2.11-3.78) between one and ≥5 physical diseases. This association was particularly strong in the youngest age group (i.e. 16-44 years). The loneliness-physical multimorbidity association was significantly mediated by stressful life events (% mediated 11.1%-30.5%), anxiety (30.2%), and depression (15.4%). Physical multimorbidity is associated with increased odds for loneliness. Prospective research is now needed to further elucidate this association and the factors that underlie it.
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5783394?pdf=render
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