Direct interactions reduce loneliness among older individuals more effectively than remote communication, like phone calls, emails, or texts, according to research conducted by teams from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan. These findings, published today in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B Psychological Science, could significantly influence the health and well-being of many seniors.
Shiyang Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow in human development and family sciences at UT and co-author of the study, noted their team’s interest in understanding the behavioural responses of older adults to feelings of loneliness and the impact of various forms of social contact. “Our observations revealed that although older adults often resort to making phone calls when feeling isolated, only face-to-face interactions were effective in actually reducing the feelings of loneliness,” Zhang explained.
The importance of regular social interactions for mental and physical health is well-documented. They contribute to longer life spans in the elderly while reducing risks of heart disease, cognitive decline, and premature mortality; despite the challenges that chronic health issues and limited mobility pose, which may restrict face-to-face interactions, this research underscores the vital role that direct contact plays in comprehensive strategies to combat loneliness among the elderly.
Conducted in the Austin, Texas, area during 2016 and 2017—before the COVID-19 pandemic, which later amplified the reliance on digital communication and heightened isolation levels—the study engaged over 300 participants aged 65 and above. Participants were questioned every three waking hours about their feelings of loneliness and their recent social interactions, whether in-person, over the phone, or digital (including texting and social media).
The research also considered the strength of social bonds in these interactions, discovering that lonely older adults often reached out to close friends and family. Interestingly, it was found that even minimal in-person contact with merely an acquaintance could more effectively alleviate loneliness compared to more frequent phone conversations with closer contacts.
Zhang highlighted that while telephone and digital communications offer convenient ways for older adults to connect when they feel isolated, these methods must match direct interactions’ emotional support and comfort. “Telephone and digital connections fail to serve as adequate substitutes for the physical presence and reassurance that come with in-person contacts,” Zhang remarked, underscoring the unique value of physical presence in social interactions for reducing loneliness among older adults.
More information: Shiyang Zhang et al, Loneliness and Mode of Social Contact in Late Life, The Journals of Gerontology Series B. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae115
Journal information: The Journals of Gerontology Series B Provided by University of Texas at Austin
