In a recent study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics , researchers from Canada investigated the individual and combined effects of social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) on memory in middle-aged and older adults over six years. They found that experiencing both SI and LON had the greatest negative impact on memory, followed by LON alone, SI alone, and neither condition, suggesting that addressing both factors together may improve memory outcomes in this population. Study: Exploring the differential impacts of social isolation, loneliness, and their combination on the memory of an aging population: A 6-year longitudinal study of the CLSA .
Image Credit: Perfect Wave/Shutterstock.com Memory involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information. Declines in memory, common in aging, can impact daily activities and may indicate neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Over 55 million people globally have these disorders, with numbers expected to rise. Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) are preventable factors that can worsen age-related memory loss. SI relates to structural social support deficiencies, while LON reflects subjective dissatisfaction with social connections.
Both factors are distinct but linked to adverse health outcomes. Existing studies mostly explore their impacts on global cognition or other cognitive domains, not memory. They often overlook the combined effect of SI and LON and focus on older adults, neglecting middle-aged.
