Despite media stories about a 'loneliness epidemic' plaguing the elderly, two new studies find that baby boomers feel no more lonely than their peers from past generations.
In fact, the Dutch study found, older people may now be somewhat less lonely because they tend to have more self-confidence and feelings of control over their lives.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28% of older Americans now live alone. Some researchers, and media stories, have suggested that older adults are facing a loneliness"epidemic" due to societal changes like shrinking family sizes, divorce, and less involvement in religious and civic groups.
Overall, Hawkley's team found no evidence that boomers were more lonely than the previous generation was at their age. The Dutch study uncovered a similar pattern, using data from a long-term study of nearly 4,900 adults born between 1908 and 1957. In fact, the researchers found, people born in more recent times were slightly less likely to report loneliness than their similarly aged counterparts from earlier generations.
Maddux said the Dutch study is particularly interesting because it points to specific factors that may buffer older adults against loneliness: self-efficacy and"mastery" -- which, together, refer to a sense of competency and control over your life.
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