Gender differences in the correlates of loneliness among Japanese persons aged 50-70

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore gender differences in the correlates of loneliness among Japanese persons aged 50-70.

Methods: Logistic regression models were estimated on cross-sectional Japanese Generations and Gender Survey data of 4057 persons aged 50-70. Loneliness was measured as having a score of 2 or higher on the shortened De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale.

Results: For more than half of the respondents, De Jong Gierveld loneliness scores exceeded the threshold of 2. Loneliness was more prevalent among men than among women. Living without a spouse or partner was more strongly associated with loneliness for men than for women. Childlessness was more strongly associated with loneliness for women than for men.

Conclusion: A large proportion of Japanese people between 50 and 70, particularly men, are lonely. Programs aimed at reducing loneliness should acknowledge that antecedents of loneliness differ between women and men.

Keywords: Japan; loneliness; mental health; observational study; sex factors.