Neighbourhood cohesion, loneliness and perceived social isolation prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Longitudinal evidence from the German Ageing Survey

PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal association between neighbourhood cohesion and loneliness as well as perceived social isolation prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic (stratified by sex).

METHODS: Longitudinal data were taken from a nationally representative sample (German Ageing Survey) of inhabitants aged 40 years and over in Germany prior (wave 6: year 2017) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (wave 8: November 2020 until February 2021; n = 6688 observations, mean age was 67.4 years). The De Jong Gierveld tool was used to measure loneliness and the Bude and Lantermann tool was used to measure perceived social isolation. Neighbourhood cohesion was assessed based on different items.

RESULTS: FE regressions showed that decreases in closeness of contact with neighbours were associated with increases in loneliness and perceived social isolation levels among men, but not women. In contrast, decreases in different indicators of involvement in neighbourhood activities were associated with increases in loneliness and perceived social isolation levels among women, but not men.

CONCLUSION: Changes in neighbourhood factors are differently associated with loneliness and perceived social isolation among middle-aged and older women and men. Gender-specific efforts to avoid loneliness and social isolation are, therefore, needed.