Sixteen-year longitudinal associations between loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults

Objectives This study examines the long-term relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms in older U.S. adults over 16 years.Method Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, specifically Waves 8 (2006) and 16 (2022). Two samples were created: (1) participants aged 60+ without depressive symptoms in 2006 (n = 790) to examine whether baseline loneliness predicts later depressive symptoms, and (2) participants not lonely in 2006 (n = 788) to examine whether baseline depressive symptoms predict later loneliness. Loneliness was measured using the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and depressive symptoms were assessed with a modified 7-item CES-D scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used.Results Older adults who reported loneliness in 2006 had nearly twice the odds of developing depressive symptoms by 2022 compared to their non-lonely counterparts (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.06–3.69). Baseline depressive symptoms also increased the likelihood of later loneliness (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04–2.79). Additionally, cognitive impairment was associated with later loneliness, with women and individuals with poorer self-rated health at higher risk of developing depressive symptoms.Conclusion The findings reveal a strong link between loneliness and depressive symptoms in later life, emphasizing the need for interventions that tackle both issues together.