TITLE:
Social Isolation and Loneliness among Community-Dwelling Older Chilean Adults: A Gender Perspective
AUTHORS:
Pedro Olivares-Tirado
KEYWORDS:
Social Isolation, Loneliness, Social Disconnection, Older Adults, Quality of Life, Gender Perspective, Chile
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
15,
2026
ABSTRACT: Aim: This study examined the association among individual traits, socio-demographic factors, and health and lifestyle factors related to social isolation and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults in Chile, with emphasis on gender differences. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 6755 participants aged 60 and older from the National Quality of Life and Health Survey were analysed. Social isolation was assessed using both external and internal domains as defined by Zavaleta et al., while loneliness was measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale from Hughes et al. Gender-specific multivariable logistic regression models with average marginal effects were used to analyse the relationships among social isolation, loneliness, and the previously mentioned factors. Results: Findings indicate that rates of social isolation and loneliness increase with age, and women are more affected, mainly by loneliness. Key factors contributing to social isolation for both genders include lower educational attainment, living alone, loneliness, and work status. Sharing caregiving activities and moderate smartphone use both reduce the risk of social isolation among women. Common predictors of loneliness for both genders include educational attainment, living alone, depression, social isolation, experiences of discrimination, caregiving activities, dissatisfaction with oneself or family life, and a sense of not belonging in the neighbourhood. Retirement serves as a protective factor against loneliness for older women, while being overweight or underweight may protect older men. Conclusions: The study highlights important gender differences in social isolation and loneliness among older adults, demonstrating that psychosocial factors strongly influence these outcomes. These insights can inform the development of public policies and interventions to improve the mental health and well-being of this population.