Factors associated with loneliness in a national study among persons 80 years and older in India in 2017-2018

Objectives: This study's objective was to determine the variables linked to loneliness in Indian adults 80 years of age and above (as well as stratified by sex). Design: Cross-sectional survey of the 2017–2018 Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Setting: Community-dwelling nationally representative population in India. Participants: The analytic sample included 3163 community-dwelling individuals ≥ 80 years (excluding proxy interviews). Measurements: A single item was used to measure loneliness. We employed multiple linear regressions (with social, health, and demographic variables as explanatory variables). Results: Regressions found that higher food insecurity, higher perceived discrimination, higher functional disability, female sex, and lower life satisfaction increased the odds of higher loneliness among the oldest-old. The sex-stratified analysis found similar results. Conclusions: Several demographic, health, and social-related factors were identified as being associated with higher loneliness. These factors can be targeted in addressing the onset and progression of loneliness in later life, particularly among the oldest old.