Associations between the dimensions of perceived togetherness, loneliness, and depressive symptoms among older Finnish people

ABSTRACT

Objectives: We studied the associations between perceived togetherness, depressive symptoms, and loneliness over a six-month period among 222 people aged 75–79 who reported loneliness or depressive mood at baseline.

Method: The present cross-lagged models utilized baseline and six-month follow-up data of a randomized controlled trial that examined the effects of a social intervention on loneliness and depression (ISRCTN78426775). Dimensions of perceived togetherness, i.e. attachment, social integration, guidance, alliance, nurturance, and reassurance of worth, were measured with the Social Provisions Scale, depressive symptoms with a short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale, and loneliness with a single item.

Results: After controlling for baseline loneliness and depressive symptoms, baseline higher attachment in all participants and baseline higher opportunity for nurturance in the social intervention group predicted lower depressive mood at follow-up. No cross-lagged associations between the dimensions of perceived togetherness at baseline and loneliness at follow-up were observed. In addition, depressive symptoms and loneliness at baseline tended to negatively predict the dimensions of perceived togetherness at follow-up.

Discussion: Depressive symptoms and loneliness appear to be precursor for perceived togetherness, rather than dimensions of perceived togetherness to be antecedents of loneliness and depressiveness among older people.

KEYWORDS:

• Cross-lagged modeling
• mental health
• social need
• social provision

Acknowledgments

We thank Raija Leinonen, PhD for overseeing the design and implementation of the GoodMood project. The Gerontology Research Center is a joint effort between the University of Jyväskylä and University of Tampere.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The GoodMood project was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health [grant number 059/TEK/TE/2008], [grant number 029/TEK/TE/2009]; Finland's Slot Machine Association. Katja Pynnönen was funded by the Juho Vainio Foundation, Finland; the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Finland. Timo Törmäkangas was funded by the Academy of Finland [grant number 286 536].