Loneliness and Cognitive Performance in Daily Life
Author Information
Author(s): Kang Jee eun, Graham-Engeland Jennifer, Martire Lynn, Almeida David, Sliwinski Martin
Primary Institution: The Pennsylvania State University
Hypothesis
This work examines the association between fluctuations in state loneliness and cognitive performance assessed objectively in daily life.
Conclusion
Higher daily loneliness negatively correlated with cognitive performance on the same day and predicted worse performance the following day.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants completed self-reports about feeling lonely and mobile cognitive tests up to five times daily.
- Results revealed that higher daily loneliness negatively correlated with cognitive performance on the same day.
- Momentary loneliness negatively correlated with immediate cognitive performance.
- Lower cognitive performance in a given moment predicted elevated loneliness later in the day.
Takeaway
When people feel lonely, they don't think as well, and feeling lonely today can make it harder to think tomorrow.
Methodology
Participants engaged in ambulatory ecological momentary assessment using mobile phones, completing self-reports and mobile cognitive tests over 14 days.
Participant Demographics
Average age 78, 68% women, 46% White, 41% Black, average 15 years education.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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