Loneliness, socio-demographics, and self-rated health outcomes among the high-risk 50+ population in the Czech Republic: COVID-19 early outbreak responses

Abstract

Loneliness in late life can act as a trigger of negative feelings, reduce well-being, and cause significant health problems. Yet, we have a limited understanding of older adults’ lived experiences of loneliness, especially during pandemics. Based on the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) conducted in the Czech Republic (n = 2,631), we found that depression, nervousness, gender, trouble with sleep, and physical health condition before COVID-19 were significantly associated with loneliness. These determinants should be taken into account when planning further supportive fieldwork to optimize the functioning of the aging population during the pandemic and beyond.