Perception of one’s social environment and loneliness: results of the nationally representative “Old age in Germany (D80+)” study

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between perception of one’s social environment (in terms of residential attachment and neighborhood trust) and loneliness among the oldest old and whether these associations differ by living arrangement. Methods: We used data from the nationally representative “Old Age in Germany (D80+)” study that included individuals residing in private households and institutionalized settings. The analytic sample was 9,621 individuals (average age: 85.5 years, SD: 4.1 years; 62% female). Data collection took place from November 2020 to April 2021. Multiple linear regressions were conducted with adjustment for relevant covariates. Results: Higher residential attachment (β=-0.02, p