Loneliness in Later Life and Reaching Longevity: Findings From the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Abstract Objectives There is an increasing research interest in factors that characterize those who reach exceptionally old ages. Although loneliness is often associated with an increased risk for premature mortality, its relationship with reaching longevity is still unclear. We aimed to quantify the association between (social/emotional) loneliness and the likelihood of reaching the age of 90 years in men and women separately. Methods For these analyses, data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used. Loneliness, social loneliness, and emotional loneliness were assessed at baseline using the 11-item De Jong-Gierveld scale in 1992–1993 (at age 64–85 years). Follow-up for vital status information until the age of 90 years was 99.5% completed. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses with a fixed follow-up time were based on 1,032 men and 1,078 women to calculate risk ratios (RR) of reaching 90 years. Results No significant associations were observed between loneliness and reaching 90 years in both men (RR, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–1.14) and women (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.83–1.14). Social loneliness was significantly associated with a reduced chance of reaching 90 years in women (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67–0.99). Discussion The current analyses did not show support for the existence of a meaningful effect of loneliness on reaching longevity in both sexes. When investigating specific dimensions of loneliness, we observed that reporting social loneliness was associated with reaching 90 years in women. This indicates that, for women, a large and diverse personal network at an older age could increase the probability of reaching longevity. However, replication of our findings in other cohorts is needed.

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Ten-Year Course of Cosmic Transcendence in Older Adults in the Netherlands

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/0091415016668354 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 44-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Arjan W. Braam ◽

Henrike Galenkamp ◽

Peter Derkx ◽

Marja J. Aartsen ◽

Dorly J. H. Deeg

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Ability ◽

Latent Class ◽

Later Life ◽

Roman Catholic ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Cosmic Transcendence ◽

Sense Of Mastery

Objectives Gerotranscendence is defined as a transition from a materialistic and rationalistic perspective to a more cosmic and transcendent view of life accompanying the aging process. Would gerotranscendence levels still increase in later life? The current prospective study investigates 10-year trajectories of cosmic transcendence (a core dimension of gerotranscendence). Methods Four interview cycles of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 3-year intervals from 1995 to 2006 provide data on cosmic transcendence, demographics (ages 57–85), religiousness, health, sense of mastery, and humor coping. Data are available for 2,257 respondents and 1,533 respondents in multivariate models. Results Latent Class Growth Analysis shows three course trajectories of cosmic transcendence: stable high, intermediate with a decrease, and stable low. Higher levels are predicted by age, importance of prayer, Roman Catholic affiliation, a low sense of mastery, higher cognitive ability, and humor coping. Similar results were obtained for the respondents who died during the study ( N = 378). Discussion Although levels of cosmic transcendence do not show much change during 10 years of follow-up, the oldest respondents nonetheless attain the highest cosmic transcendence levels. An inclination toward relativism and contemplation may facilitate cosmic transcendence. However, lower cognitive ability probably impairs the development toward cosmic transcendence.

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Predictors in starting and stopping Internet use between 2002 and 2012 by Dutch adults 65 years and older

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/1460458217720398 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 715-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica Berner ◽

Marja Aartsen ◽

Dorly Deeg

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Internet Use ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Demographic Predictors ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Normal Cognition ◽

High Sense

Research has indicated the need to consider the ageing process with technology adoption by older adults. This study examined psychological, health, social and demographic predictors with starting and stopping Internet use by older adults (2002–2012). Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, and Cox regression analyses were done to test predictors over time with starting or stopping Internet use. The results indicated that older adults starting to use the Internet (11.6%) outnumbered those who stopped (3.1%). Psychological, health, social and demographic predictors separately predicted starting and stopping Internet use. Starting use was predicted by lower age, higher education, normal cognition and living alone. The predictors in stopping use were being younger, having a high sense of mastery and being higher educated. The results need to be interpreted as indicative due to the small number of stoppers. Suggestions are made on how to improve usability.

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Pregnancy, pregnancy loss and the risk of diabetes in Chinese women: findings from the China Kadoorie Biobank

European Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s10654-019-00582-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 295-303

Author(s):

Sanne A. E. Peters ◽

◽

Ling Yang ◽

Yu Guo ◽

Yiping Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Chinese Women ◽

Later Life ◽

Induced Abortion ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Incident Cases

AbstractPregnancy and pregnancy loss may be associated with increased risk of diabetes in later life. However, the evidence is inconsistent and sparse, especially among East Asians where reproductive patterns differ importantly from those in the West. We examined the associations of pregnancy and pregnancy loss (miscarriage, induced abortion, and still birth) with the risk of incident diabetes in later life among Chinese women. In 2004–2008, the nationwide China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 302 669 women aged 30–79 years from 10 (5 urban, 5 rural) diverse localities. During 9.2 years of follow-up, 7780 incident cases of diabetes were recorded among 273,383 women without prior diabetes and cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cox regression yielded multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of diabetes associated with pregnancy and pregnancy loss. Overall, 99% of women had been pregnant, of whom 10%, 53%, and 6% reported having a history of miscarriage, induced abortion, and stillbirth, respectively. Among ever pregnant women, each additional pregnancy was associated with an adjusted HR of 1.04 (95% CI 1.03; 1.06) for diabetes. Compared with those without pregnancy loss, women with a history of pregnancy loss had an adjusted HR of 1.07 (1.02; 1.13) and the HRs increased with increasing number of pregnancy losses, irrespective of the number of livebirths; the adjusted HR was 1.03 (1.00; 1.05) for each additional pregnancy loss. The strength of the relationships differed marginally by type of pregnancy loss. Among Chinese women, a higher number of pregnancies and pregnancy losses were associated with a greater risk of diabetes.

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Depression, physical health and disability in later life: A pragmatic approach based on the findings of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/0924-9338(96)88616-0 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 212s ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A.T.F. Beekman ◽

D.J.H. Deeg ◽

W.V. Tilburg

Keyword(s):

Physical Health ◽

Later Life ◽

Pragmatic Approach ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

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The long-term outcome of subthreshold depression in later life

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291716001549 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (13) ◽

pp. 2855-2865 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

H. W. Jeuring ◽

M. Huisman ◽

H. C. Comijs ◽

M. L. Stek ◽

A. T. F. Beekman

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

High Body Mass Index ◽

Later Life ◽

Subthreshold Depression ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Screening Design ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study

BackgroundSubthreshold depression (SUBD) in later life is common and important as prodromal state and prominent risk factor in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Indicated prevention can reduce the incidence of MDD among people with SUBD substantially, but needs to be targeted to those that are truly at risk of developing MDD.MethodN = 341 eligible participants with SUBD were included from the first (1992/1993), second (1995/1996) and third (1998/1999) cycle from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) by using a two-stage screening design. LASA is an ongoing prospective cohort study in The Netherlands among the older population (55–85 years). At baseline (1992/1993) N = 3107 participants were interviewed and follow-up cycles were conducted every 3 years until 2008/2009, resulting in maximal 17 years of observational period. The proportion of people that developed MDD, remained SUBD, or recovered from SUBD was measured and Cox proportional regression analyses were performed to investigate 29 putative predictors of MDD and recovery from SUBD.ResultsN = 153 (44.9%) recovered from SUBD, N = 138 (40.5%) remained chronically SUBD, and N = 50 (14.7%) developed MDD (incidence rate 15.1/1000 person-years). Women, high neuroticism, more chronic diseases, high body mass index, smoking and less social support predicted conversion to MDD. Men, low neuroticism and absence of pain predicted recovery from SUBD.ConclusionsAlthough older people with SUBD are clearly at risk of developing MDD, the majority did not, even after a long and thorough follow-up. Given the risk factors that were uncovered, targeting and prevention of MDD in those at very high risk is feasible.

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Cohort differences in having and retaining friends in personal networks in later life

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407510386191 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 24-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Nan L. Stevens ◽

Theo G. Van Tilburg

Keyword(s):

Older Persons ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Later Life ◽

Personal Networks ◽

Personal Choice ◽

Cohort Differences ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Gender Specific

Friendship has increased in importance during the last few decades. The study examines whether friendship has become more prevalent in personal networks of older adults. Three cohorts of older persons have been followed since 1992 for 17 years in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. The younger cohort had friends more often and retained friends longer than two older cohorts. The differences are related to personal choice, relational competence and greater structural opportunities for making and keeping friends that were available to the younger cohort. Women retained same-sex friends longer than men. The oldest women lost cross-sex friends more often than did men. This is related to different gender-specific survival rates and to women’s tendency to retain friendships longer.

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Land Use Mix and Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study Examining Changes in Land Use Mix in Two Dutch Cohorts

10.21203/rs.3.rs-54030/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

J. Mark Noordzij ◽

M.A. Beenackers ◽

J. Oude Groeniger ◽

E.J. Timmermans ◽

I. Motoc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Buffer Size ◽

Land Use Mix ◽

Aging Populations ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Using Data

Abstract BACKGROUNDWith urbanization and aging increasing in coming decades, societies face the challenge of keeping aging populations active. Land use mix (LUM) has been associated with cycling and walking, but whether changes in LUM relate to changes in cycling/walking is less known. OBJECTIVESOur objective was to study the effect of LUM on cycling/walking in two Dutch aging cohorts using data with 10 years of follow-up. METHODSData from 1,114 respondents from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) and 1,561 respondents from the Health and Living Conditions of the Population of Eindhoven and Surroundings (GLOBE) study were linked to LUM in 1000-meter sausage network buffers at three time-points. Cycling/walking outcomes were harmonized to include average minutes spent cycling/walking per week. Data was pooled and limited to respondents that did not relocate between follow-up waves. Associations between LUM and cycling/walking were estimated using a Random Effects Within-Between (REWB) model that allows for the estimation of both within and between effects. Sensitivity analyses were performed on smaller (500-meter) and larger (1600-meter) buffers. RESULTSWe found evidence of between-individual associations of LUM in 1000-meter buffers and walking (β: 11.10, 95% CI: 0.08 ; 21.12), but no evidence of within-associations in 1000-meter buffers. Sensitivity analyses using 500-meter buffers showed similar between-associations, but negative within-associations (β: -35.67, 95% CI: -68.85 ; -2.49). We did not find evidence of between-individual associations of LUM in any buffer size and cycling, but did find evidence of negative within-associations between LUM in 1600-meter buffers and cycling (β: -7.49, 95% CI: -14.31 ; -0.66). DISCUSSIONOur study found evidence of positive associations between LUM and average walking time, but also some evidence of negative associations between a change in LUM and cycling/walking. LUM appears to be related to cycling/walking, but the effect of changes in LUM on cycling/walking is unclear.

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The Social Support–Health Link Unraveled: Pathways Linking Social Support to Functional Capacity in Later Life

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264319841949 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (7-8) ◽

pp. 616-626

Author(s):

Bianca Suanet ◽

Marja J. Aartsen ◽

Emiel O. Hoogendijk ◽

Martijn Huisman

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Initial Level ◽

Later Life ◽

Latent Growth ◽

Indirect Path ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Objective: Despite evidence that social support is strongly related to health, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. This study investigates whether physical activity, depressive symptoms, and chronic diseases mediate the associations between social support and functional capacity. Method: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam on 954 participants, aged 75 and older, covering 9 years, are analyzed with latent growth mediation models. Results: Only the indirect path from the initial level of emotional support to the initial level of functional capacity through the initial level of depressive symptoms was significant. All mediators however were significantly associated with the level of and changes in functional capacity. Models with reversed pathways were estimated, but model fit was worse. Discussion: Because only initial levels of social support relate to functional capacity, and changes in social support do not, older adults likely receive the support they need.

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