Comparison of Psychosocial Variables Associated With Loneliness in Centenarian vs Elderly Populations in New Zealand.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational study using registry assessment data
PubMed 30646265 · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3880
What was done
A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing first-time international Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (interRAI-HC) records collected between January 1, 2013, and November 27, 2017, in New Zealand. The study analyzed 73,286 community-dwelling older adults referred for support service evaluations, comparing 191 centenarians (aged ≥100 years, mean age 100.9 years) to 73,095 elderly peers (aged 65-99 years, mean age 81.4 years) across demographic characteristics, family support, living arrangements, depression, and single-item self-reported loneliness.
What was found
Centenarians were more often female (71.2% vs 56.8%; P < .001), widowed (89.0% vs 43.2%; P < .001), and free of depression (70.2% vs 59.5%; P = .008) compared with elderly adults. Centenarians had a lower risk of loneliness in unadjusted analysis (relative risk [RR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.92; P = .002) and after full adjustment (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79; P < .001). Living with others, having family support, and absence of depression were also associated with lower loneliness risk.
Why it matters
This study shows that community-dwelling centenarians experience lower loneliness rates than younger elderly populations despite higher widowhood rates, highlighting family support and cohabitation as key protective factors in extreme old age.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional, preventing causal conclusions. The sample was restricted to individuals referred for home-care support assessments, excluding those in residential care or those not seeking services. Loneliness was measured using a single binary assessment item rather than a multidimensional validated scale.
Cited by
- partial Centenarian studies consistently find that high levels of social connection and community engagement are among the most common characteristics of people who live to 100.