Loneliness increases risk for premature death in elderly

Loneliness increases the risk for premature death by 14 percent in the elderly, according to a recent study by psychologists at the University of Chicago.

The study's leader, professor of psychology John Cacioppo, compared the impact of loneliness to the impact of underprivileged socioeconomic status on premature death, the latter of which they discovered increases the chances of early death by 19 percent.

At a seminar on "The Science of Resilient Aging," Cacioppo and other researchers examined the differences in the rate of decline in physical and mental health as people age, as well as assessed the significance of rewarding relationships on seniors to increase their tenacity.

During their study, Cacioppo and colleagues found that disrupted sleep, high blood pressure, increased morning rises in the stress hormone cortisol, altered gene expression in immune cells, increased depression and lower overall well-being are all negative side effects of loneliness.

Cacioppo highlights that the elderly can avoid loneliness by staying in touch with former co-workers, participating in family traditions and spending time with family and friends - opportunities for older adults to connect with people that are mutually concerned with happiness and well-being.

The researchers note that evolution led humans in the direction of needing companionship to exist and prosper, and that this sort of social interaction is necessary for the majority of people.

Cacioppo and his team conducted their study in 2009, and observed that loneliness can be contagious.

"We detected an extraordinary pattern of contagion that leads people to be moved to the edge of the social network when they become lonely," said Cacioppo, a national expert on loneliness, in a statement. "On the periphery people have fewer friends, yet their loneliness leads them to losing the few ties they have left."