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How social isolation and loneliness leave distinct imprints on memory: a thematic analysis informed by descriptive phenomenology.

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Název: How social isolation and loneliness leave distinct imprints on memory: a thematic analysis informed by descriptive phenomenology.
Autoři: Kang JW; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada., Oga-Omenka C; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada., Tyas SL; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada., Dubin JA; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada; Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada., Oremus M; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. Electronic address: moremus@uwaterloo.ca.
Zdroj: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics [Arch Gerontol Geriatr] 2025 Dec; Vol. 139, pp. 106003. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 26.
Způsob vydávání: Journal Article
Jazyk: English
Informace o časopise: Publisher: Elsevier Biomedical Press Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 8214379 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-6976 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01674943 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Arch Gerontol Geriatr Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Amsterdam : Elsevier Biomedical Press, c1982-
Výrazy ze slovníku MeSH: Loneliness*/psychology , Social Isolation*/psychology , Memory*, Humans ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Qualitative Research ; Interviews as Topic
Abstrakt: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
With growing recognition of psychosocial risks for cognitive impairment, research on social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) and their relationship to memory has increased over the past decade. However, most studies have examined SI and LON separately, leaving their combined influence on memory underexplored, particularly in qualitative research. This study presents the qualitative arm of a larger mixed-methods investigation, exploring how SI and LON, separately and together, shape memory in middle-aged and older adults. Ten individuals aged 47 - 81 were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling for semi-structured interviews, analyzed using thematic analysis informed by descriptive phenomenology. Participants generally viewed LON as more damaging to memory than SI, noting that mental stimulation is still possible during isolation, whereas LON often drains the motivation to engage in such activities. Some described SI positively (form of self-care), though extended SI was seen as detrimental due to increased social anxiety (further limits social engagement), disrupted routines, and diminished sense of purpose, all critical for memory. The combination of SI and LON was perceived as most harmful, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates both conditions and increases vulnerability to self-destructive behaviours (smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet). This research identifies distinctive indicators and psychosocial needs of those experiencing SI, LON, or both, supporting more precise screening and intervention triage in clinical and community settings. It underscores the value of targeted, multimodal brain health interventions addressing diverse contributing factors through strategies like social connection, purpose-driven living, cognitively stimulating activities, chronic disease management, and healthy lifestyle habits.
(Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Aging; Cognition; Loneliness; Memory; Social isolation
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250902 Date Completed: 20250929 Latest Revision: 20250929
Update Code: 20250930
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2025.106003
PMID: 40896982
Databáze: MEDLINE
Popis
Abstrakt:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br />With growing recognition of psychosocial risks for cognitive impairment, research on social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) and their relationship to memory has increased over the past decade. However, most studies have examined SI and LON separately, leaving their combined influence on memory underexplored, particularly in qualitative research. This study presents the qualitative arm of a larger mixed-methods investigation, exploring how SI and LON, separately and together, shape memory in middle-aged and older adults. Ten individuals aged 47 - 81 were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling for semi-structured interviews, analyzed using thematic analysis informed by descriptive phenomenology. Participants generally viewed LON as more damaging to memory than SI, noting that mental stimulation is still possible during isolation, whereas LON often drains the motivation to engage in such activities. Some described SI positively (form of self-care), though extended SI was seen as detrimental due to increased social anxiety (further limits social engagement), disrupted routines, and diminished sense of purpose, all critical for memory. The combination of SI and LON was perceived as most harmful, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates both conditions and increases vulnerability to self-destructive behaviours (smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet). This research identifies distinctive indicators and psychosocial needs of those experiencing SI, LON, or both, supporting more precise screening and intervention triage in clinical and community settings. It underscores the value of targeted, multimodal brain health interventions addressing diverse contributing factors through strategies like social connection, purpose-driven living, cognitively stimulating activities, chronic disease management, and healthy lifestyle habits.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1872-6976
DOI:10.1016/j.archger.2025.106003