Perceived loneliness and general cognitive status in community-dwelling older adults: the moderating influence of depression

The relationship between depression, loneliness, and cognitive functioning among the elderly is not well understood in the literature. In the present study, we tested the moderating influence of depressive symptoms on loneliness and cognitive functioning. We recruited 100 community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Demographic information, perceived loneliness, depressed mood, and general cognitive status were assessed. Results indicated that married participants reported lower levels of perceived loneliness (t (96)=2.26, p=.03). We found a significant moderating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between perceived loneliness and general cognitive status (B=-.05, p=.002). Perceived loneliness correlated negatively with general cognitive status only in participants with higher levels of depressed mood (B=-.16, p=.01). Together, these findings suggest that perceived loneliness combined with depressed mood is related to poorer general cognitive status in older adults. The implications of these findings are discussed.