Social Isolation and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Examination by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

Social isolation has emerged as a significant risk factor for psychological well-being in later life. However, our understanding of how this link varies across race/ethnicity and gender remains limited.

To address this gap, we utilized longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2008-2018) to investigate the longitudinal association between social isolation and the overall subjective well-being (SWB) using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models. We further examined variations in this relationship across race/ethnicity (White, Black, US-born Hispanic, foreign-born Hispanic) and gender subgroups.

Consistent with the stress process model, our results demonstrate that social isolation is closely linked to reduced SWB for older adults. However, our findings reveal nuances in the isolation-SWB link by race/ethnicity and gender. The association was weaker for Black and Hispanic (US- and foreign-born) individuals than for Whites. Among women, Black women were less likely than White women to be affected by this relationship. Among men, the isolation-SWB association was less pronounced for US-born Hispanic men compared to their White counterparts. Across all levels of social isolation, foreign-born Hispanic adults consistently exhibited higher SWB than others.

This study underscores the need for tailored interventions to address the impact of social isolation on SWB. Although Black and Hispanic older adults experience higher levels of isolation compared to their White counterparts, they demonstrate resilience that helps mitigate its negative effects. These findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant strategies to enhance the quality of life in diverse aging populations.