Social Determinants, Loneliness, Depression, and Chronic Illness for Midlife and Older Adults in Appalachia
2024
Loneliness and Health Risks in Older Adults in Appalachia
Sample size: 150
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Theeke Laurie, Hutto Lashawn, Smith LaTonya
Primary Institution: George Washington University
Hypothesis
Loneliness is a significant health risk among midlife and older adults in Appalachia.
Conclusion
The study found that loneliness is highly correlated with depression and chronic illnesses among older adults in Appalachia.
Supporting Evidence
- Loneliness is highly correlated with depression.
- Age inversely correlated with loneliness and depression scores.
- Men had higher loneliness and were more frequently diagnosed with chronic illnesses.
Takeaway
Feeling lonely can make older people in Appalachia sick, and it often goes hand in hand with feeling sad.
Methodology
Secondary data analysis using common variable data from two prior studies.
Limitations
The study is based on secondary data and may not capture all relevant factors.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults aged 46 to 91, with a mean age of 63.5; 88 women and 62 men.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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