Loneliness and cognitive decline in ageing Europe: Does country context matter for memory performance?

Aim: Cognitive functioning is essential for leading a self-determined life at old age. However, loneliness is considered a risk factor for cognitive health and is on the rise in ageing societies. This study examines the relationship between loneliness and cognitive functioning, investigates short-term and long-term consequences, and explores regional differences across Europe. Subject and methods: Using panel data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) from over 34,000 individuals aged 50+ in 14 European countries and Israel with at least four participation rounds, we estimated cross-lagged panel models with fixed effects studying the relation between loneliness and memory performance, controlling for other known risk factors, such as social isolation, age, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. Results: We found that older people experiencing loneliness have reduced memory performance. In addition, current loneliness still affects cognitive functioning two years later. European regions differed in this relation, with the strongest association found in Northern Europe, and in countries with lower levels of loneliness. This might be due to higher stress caused by experiencing loneliness in countries where loneliness is less common. Conclusion: Loneliness is negatively associated with both current and future memory performance. Country characteristics, such as the general loneliness level in a country, can modify this relation. Loneliness in later life is a risk factor for cognitive health but is modifiable, providing an impetus for political and societal efforts to reduce loneliness.