Social isolation (SI) and loneliness contribute to increased risk of mental health disorders and is associated with higher levels of substance use. As the current generation of 50–70-year-olds are more likely to engage in risky drinking patterns than previous generations, 14% of 55–64-year-olds experiencing SI and 16% experiencing loneliness, this poses new challenges for healthcare delivery. The Beyond 50 Study aims to understand the association between SI/L and substance use to uncover insights on healthy ageing using a cohort of 1059 participants from the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area. Initial analysis shows around 50% of participants drink above low-risk levels, 1 in 3 were classed as very lonely and 1 in 4 indicated they were dissatisfied with their social connections, and further analysis is uncovering the relationship between SI/L and substance use.
Social Isolation, loneliness and substance use in older adults
Rose Laing | PhD Candidate, Monash Addiction Research Centre
Rose Laing is a PhD candidate within the Monash Addiction Research Centre at Monash University. Her area of research is on identifying the relationship and correlates of social isolation, loneliness and substance use patterns in adults aged 50-70.
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