Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for
national variations in loneliness among older Europeans

J 2022

Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans

RAPOLIENE, Grazina and Marja AARTSEN

Basic information

Original name

Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans

Authors

RAPOLIENE, Grazina and Marja AARTSEN

Edition

European Journal of Ageing, New York, Springer, 2022, 1613-9372

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 3.800

Organization unit

Faculty of Social Studies

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z

UT WoS

000696414400001

Keywords in English

Loneliness; Trust; Old age; Social engagement; Post-totalitarianism; Eastern and Central Europe

Abstract

V originále

Cross-national studies in Europe reveal sharp regional differences in the prevalence of loneliness among older adults, with the highest prevalence of loneliness in Eastern European countries. In this study, we investigate an alternative explanation for differences in loneliness prevalence based on differences in trust. Many of the Eastern European countries were ruled by totalitarian regimes that undermined people’s trust in other people and in the system, potentially leading to higher loneliness prevalence. Data are derived from the sixth round of the European Social Survey conducted in 2012, based on 12,042 respondents, of which 4827 live in post-totalitarian countries and 7215 in other European countries and Israel. We estimate a path model with trust in people, trust in the system, and social engagement included as latent variables and one dichotomous outcome (lonely or not). We control for age, gender, health limitations, marital status, income adequacy, and education. The results reveal that loneliness is partly constructed by the social–cultural and historical–political characteristics of the countries in which people live. The higher prevalence of loneliness in the Eastern-European post-totalitarian countries can be linked to a low level of trust in other people through social disengagement. Considering the role of trust in the creation of individuals feelings of loneliness contributes to the understanding of country variations in loneliness and opens a new perspective in loneliness research and the development of policies aimed at reducing loneliness.

Links

TJ03000002, research and development project

Name: Genderové cesty exkluze v sociálních vztazích ve stáří pohledem životní dráhy a jejich dopad na zdraví a pohodu. (Acronym: GENPATH)

Investor: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, GENDER-NET Plus

Files attached

Rapolien_-Aartsen_LonelySocietiesLowTrustSocieties.pdf

Find similar documents

Citovat

RAPOLIENE, Grazina and Marja AARTSEN. Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans. European Journal of Ageing. New York: Springer, 2022, vol. 19, No 3, p. 485-494. ISSN 1613-9372. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z.

@article{2250961,
   author = {Rapoliene, Grazina and Aartsen, Marja},
   article_location = {New York},
   article_number = {3},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z},
   keywords = {Loneliness; Trust; Old age; Social engagement; Post-totalitarianism; Eastern and Central Europe},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1613-9372},
   journal = {European Journal of Ageing},
   title = {Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans},
   url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z},
   volume = {19},
   year = {2022}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2250961
AU  - Rapoliene, Grazina - Aartsen, Marja
PY  - 2022
TI  - Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans
JF  - European Journal of Ageing
VL  - 19
IS  - 3
SP  - 485-494
EP  - 485-494
PB  - Springer
SN  - 16139372
KW  - Loneliness
KW  - Trust
KW  - Old age
KW  - Social engagement
KW  - Post-totalitarianism
KW  - Eastern and Central Europe
UR  - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z
N2  - Cross-national studies in Europe reveal sharp regional differences in the prevalence of loneliness among older adults, with the highest prevalence of loneliness in Eastern European countries. In this study, we investigate an alternative explanation for differences in loneliness prevalence based on differences in trust. Many of the Eastern European countries were ruled by totalitarian regimes that undermined people’s trust in other people and in the system, potentially leading to higher loneliness prevalence. Data are derived from the sixth round of the European Social Survey conducted in 2012, based on 12,042 respondents, of which 4827 live in post-totalitarian countries and 7215 in other European countries and Israel. We estimate a path model with trust in people, trust in the system, and social engagement included as latent variables and one dichotomous outcome (lonely or not). We control for age, gender, health limitations, marital status, income adequacy, and education. The results reveal that loneliness is partly constructed by the social–cultural and historical–political characteristics of the countries in which people live. The higher prevalence of loneliness in the Eastern-European post-totalitarian countries can be linked to a low level of trust in other people through social disengagement. Considering the role of trust in the creation of individuals feelings of loneliness contributes to the understanding of country variations in loneliness and opens a new perspective in loneliness research and the development of policies aimed at reducing loneliness.
ER  -

RAPOLIENE, Grazina and Marja AARTSEN. Lonely societies: low trust societies? Further explanations for national variations in loneliness among older Europeans. \textit{European Journal of Ageing}. New York: Springer, 2022, vol.~19, No~3, p.~485-494. ISSN~1613-9372. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00649-z.

Detailed Information on Publication Record