David Camacho and co-authors published “Loneliness and pain among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Black, Latino, and White adults in the United States” in Frontiers in Public Health, section Aging and Public Health.
David Camacho and co-authors published “Loneliness and pain among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Black, Latino, and White adults in the United States” in Frontiers in Public Health, section Aging and Public Health
In this study the authors explore Wave 3 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 2,706). Loneliness was assessed using the three item Felt Loneliness Measure. Pain assessments explored presence in the previous 4 weeks, and its intensity.
Authors found that loneliness appears to be an important correlate of pain presence and intensity. However, loneliness may also have a stronger effect on pain intensity among Latino adults aged 50 or older compared to their White counterparts. The authors discuss possible cultural, contextual and stress related factors that may explain findings. The authors underscore the need to better understand different types of loneliness (e.g., social, emotional, and existential) and its effects on pain and other important health outcomes across diverse groups, particularly subgroups of Latino midlife and older adults.