Study: People of different generations are lonely for different reasons
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 16-03-2020
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People of different generations are equally lonely, but for different reasons, a new study says, according to which living alone increases loneliness risk in older age whereas feeling isolated is linked to personality traits in midlife. The study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, noted that emotionally-resilient people, who adapt better to stressful situations, are less at risk of loneliness at any age, and outgoing middle-aged people are less likely to feel lonely.
According to the psychologists, including those from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, living alone is associated with more loneliness for those over 70 years of age, with the issue being more acute for men. In the study, they examined data from more than 4,000 people older than 45 for loneliness, personality traits, and living circumstances.
The participants were asked to rate how lonely they felt, and their personality traits were also tested using a framework called the Five-Factor Model. Used machine learning - which assesses data to make predictions - the scientists examined the survey information for relationships between personality traits such as emotional stability, and social variables such as living alone, as causes for loneliness.