Social Isolation, Social Support and Loneliness as independent interconnected concepts

Abstract Background Social isolation, lack of social support and loneliness have historically been assessed as overlapping or even interchangeable terms. We aimed to assess whether these three social constructs are independently associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods This analysis included 10,517 women aged 70-75 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). Social isolation (Duke Social Support Index: DSSI), social support (DSSI), and loneliness (one-item) were investigated for their association with HRQoL (physical [PCS] and mental [MCS] component scores of the SF-36® questionnaire). Multivariable analyses adjusted for age, demographics, socio-economic position and medical conditions. Results Social isolation, social support and loneliness were not strongly correlated with one another. However, all were independently associated with HRQoL (PCS: isolation -0.97, low support -2.24, loneliness -2.70; MCS: isolation -1.96, low support -4.78, loneliness -10.31; p-value<0.001 for each). Compared to those with low social isolation, high social support and lack of loneliness, women highly isolated, with low social support and lonely reported the lowest HRQoL (MCS: -18 to -17; PCS: -8 to -6). Other combinations of isolation, support and loneliness varied in their associations with HRQoL. Conclusions Social isolation, social support and loneliness are distinct, yet interconnected concepts that may coexist and are each adversely associated with HRQoL. Key messages Ageing populations present the challenge of supporting older people to maintain a longer, healthy, meaningful and community-dwelling lives. Social isolation, low social support and loneliness have adverse associations with HRQoL.