Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Quality of Life in Germany
Author Information
Author(s): König Hans-Helmut, Hajek André
Primary Institution: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Hypothesis
What is the loss in utility associated with loneliness and social isolation in the German adult population?
Conclusion
The study found significant disutility associated with social isolation and loneliness, comparable to chronic diseases.
Supporting Evidence
- Individuals with social isolation had a lower EQ-5D-5L index score compared to those without.
- Loneliness was associated with a greater reduction in quality of life than social isolation.
- The disutility values found are similar to those reported for chronic diseases.
- 29.8% of participants were categorized as socially isolated.
- 72.9% of participants were categorized as lonely.
Takeaway
Being lonely or socially isolated can make people feel much worse, like having a serious illness.
Methodology
Data was collected from a quota sample of 5,000 individuals aged 18–74 in Germany using online questionnaires.
Potential Biases
Self-selection bias due to online participation and potential lack of internet access for some individuals.
Limitations
The study only included individuals aged 18 to 74 and was conducted online, which may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 18-74, with 50.8% identifying as female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: -0.07 to -0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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