title: Predicting stability and change in loneliness in later life.
abstract: This study examined potential discriminators of groups of older adults showing different patterns of stability or change in loneliness over 5 years: those whobecame lonely, overcame loneliness,werepersistently lonely,and werepersistently not lonely. Discriminant function analysis results showed that thepersistently lonely, compared with thepersistently not lonely, were more often living alone, widowed, and experiencing poorer health and perceived control. Moreover,changesin living arrangements and perceived control predicted loneliness change. In conclusion, perceiving that one is able to meet social needs is a predictor of loneliness and loneliness change and appears to be more important than people's friendships. Because the predictors were better able to predictentryinto loneliness, results point to the promise of prevention approaches to loneliness interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy E G
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Newall
authors.affiliation: University of Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Judith G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chipperfield
authors.affiliation: University of Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bailis
keywords: Living arrangements; loneliness; longitudinal; older adults; perceived control