The third report from our Social isolation and loneliness across the lifecourse project explores the associations between social isolation and wellbeing outcomes in midlife.
We know that adults in midlife are at risk of low wellbeing, with life satisfaction peaking at ages 23 and 68 and is at its lowest during working life.
Here we look at emerging insights from the research and their potential implications.
Social isolation is an objective condition. It can be quantified by the number and frequency of social connections and interactions a person has across a range of contexts. For example: how often someone meets up with their friends, or how many people they live with.
Investigating social isolation helps to identify structural barriers leading to a lack of connectedness. By analysing different experiences of social isolation across contexts, we can better understand specific conditions that are modifiable through policy and other action.
Studies pre and post the pandemic reveal one fifth of the UK population are socially isolated. And while there is extensive research on the effect of social isolation in later life and for young people, midlife has been relatively overlooked, despite being characterised by diverse family networks, household compositions, labour market participation, and care responsibilities.
This means there is a gap in our understanding about the ways in which different forms of isolation impact wellbeing, and whether they interact or have cumulative effects.
To address this gap, the research team looked at data from the 1970 British Cohort Study and the 1958 National Child Development Study to explore:
Cohort members born in 1958 were in midlife during 2004 with health reported four years later in 2008 and those born in 1970 were in midlife during 2012 with health reported in 2016.
By looking at specific age groups, we can better understand the role and consequences of social isolation at specific life stages.
Investigating objective social isolation experiences independently, and in combination, provides a more nuanced picture, revealing the most harmful social conditions for health.
Methods and measures
Indicators of social isolation:
Outcome measures:
Analysis controlled for demographic, social and economic factors such as sex, education level, and homeownership in addition to prior health.
All social isolation indicators were associated with lower life satisfaction. This is consistent across gender.
All social isolation indicators – apart from living alone – were associated with lower self-rated general health. Living alone was weakly associated with lower self-rated general health for men only.
Being out of education and employment was associated with psychological distress, and this was consistent across gender and cohorts.
Living alone, and being out of education and employment, appeared to have more detrimental effects on life satisfaction and self rated general health for cohort members born in 1958 than those born in 1970. The cohort differences may be due to differences in the response to social norms and expectations.
Overall, the greater the level of social isolation, the:
Results from the independent social isolation indicators suggest that the association between overall social isolation and wellbeing outcomes is driven more by some forms of isolation than others.
Across both cohorts, over three quarters of respondents lacked community engagement (78.4% of those born in 1958 and 76.5% of those born in 1970).
The initial findings indicate that not participating in the labour market is most consistently associated with poorer wellbeing.
This is consistent with existing evidence. We know that having a job, and the quality of that job, are drivers of wellbeing. Our 2017 review found strong evidence that unemployment has a negative effect on mental health and a lasting impact on life satisfaction, with young people and the long-term unemployed particularly affected.
Finding and keeping work is an area of policy that is modifiable, and will support these at risk groups. This includes labour market policies to increase employment and employability, inclusive work and wellbeing at work plans, and focusing on good quality and sustainable jobs.
The team are conducting further analysis to:
By exploring different combinations of social isolation experiences and the way in which isolation is patterned in midlife, the research aims to identify different forms of isolation that commonly exist together and are associated with lower levels of wellbeing.
This analysis may also provide insight into compensatory social connections, where an individual who is isolated in one context may seek out social contact elsewhere. For example, an individual living alone may meet up more with friends.
We expect the publication of the full paper later in 2024.
Based on research learnings and existing policy needs, we think the next step is to do a conceptual review and indicator review of social support. This will help us better compare and evaluate the effectiveness of current interventions, and inform how future interventions might support different aspects of wellbeing outcomes.
This analysis may also provide insight into compensatory social connections, where an individual who is isolated in one context may seek out social contact elsewhere. For example, an individual living alone may meet up more with friends.
Read the full paper.
Based on research learnings and existing policy needs, we think the next step is to do a conceptual review and indicator review of social support. This will help us better compare and evaluate the effectiveness of current interventions, and inform how future interventions might support different aspects of wellbeing outcomes.
Youth Futures Foundation
Education Endowment Fund
DWP
CIPD
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