Religion and Loneliness in Older People in Ireland

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Gerard Leavey

Primary Institution: Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Religious identity and adherence may influence mental health outcomes through social capital and coping mechanisms.

Older individuals with comorbid depression are more likely to experience loneliness and have limited social networks.

Older individuals with comorbid depression are more likely to be male.
Those with comorbid depression have lower education levels.
Individuals with comorbid depression have spent more time abroad.
Lower religious attendance is associated with comorbid depression.
A limited social network is linked to comorbid depression.
Loneliness is more prevalent among those with comorbid depression.
Comorbid depression is associated with long-term life-limiting illness.
Subthreshold levels of depression correlate with a more restricted social network.

Being religious can help older people feel less lonely, but those who are lonely often don't go to church or have many friends.

Secondary data analysis of Wave 1 of the TILDA study (2009-2011).

The study focused on older individuals, particularly those with clinically relevant anxiety and depression.

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