Friendship and momentary loneliness in dementia caregiving: daily experiences of caregivers with high and low burden

Abstract

Objectives Dementia caregivers are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. Grounded in the social convoy and stress process models, this study examined whether (a) dementia caregivers with fewer close friends experience higher levels of momentary loneliness; (b) daily friend interactions are linked to reduced momentary loneliness, and whether the quality and closeness of these interactions matter; and (c) whether the link between friend interaction and momentary loneliness varies between caregivers with high versus low caregiver burden. Methods The sample included 223 dementia caregivers (Meanage=61.38, 78% female, 36% Black) from the Stress and Well-Being in the Everyday Lives of Caregivers Study. They completed a baseline interview assessing their demographics, social network, and caregiving characteristics, followed by a 5-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA), reporting their social interactions and loneliness every 3 hr. Results A greater number of close friends was associated with lower levels of momentary loneliness. Caregivers reported interactions with friends in 22% of EMA surveys. Multilevel linear models showed that caregivers experienced lower momentary loneliness when they interacted with friends, especially during positive interactions and with non-close friends, compared to when they did not. Furthermore, friend interactions were associated with lower momentary loneliness for caregivers with higher burden, but not for those with lower burden. Discussion These results highlight the need for interventions that foster friendships and encourage caregivers to schedule social interactions with friends to alleviate loneliness and enhance their well-being.