Loneliness and cognitive performance were related in the short term for older adults, according to a new study.
For years, research has shown that older adults who are lonely are at greater risk for cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Those studies, however, generally treated loneliness as a stable trait of someone's life, but loneliness fluctuates from day to day and even over the course of a single day.
"This type of data -- where people use cellphones to report their experiences and feelings during the course of their daily lives -- provides a rich way to understand people's natural day-to-day experience," said Martin Sliwinski, professor of human development and family studies, director of the Center for Healthy Aging and senior author of the study.
Some researchers have proposed that loneliness may be an evolutionary cue intended to motivate humans to repair or replace their social relationships, according to the researchers. When people experience loneliness, it may act as a stressor, explaining the association with decreased cognitive performance.
"Loneliness is dynamic, not stable," she said."Your grandma may not be a lonely person, but -- like most people -- she probably feels lonely sometimes. Anytime you reach out to older adults and engage with them, you are supporting their cognitive and emotional health that day and over the course of their lives."
Lynn Martire, professor of human development and family studies, and David Almeida, professor of human development and family studies, also contributed to this research.Chicago
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