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Quality over Quantity: The Association Between Daily Social Interactions and Loneliness

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  • Siyun Peng

    (School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
    Department of Sociology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
    Irsay Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Adam R. Roth

    (Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

Abstract

Understanding what aspects of daily life protect against loneliness is increasingly important for promoting well-being among older adults. This study investigates how different types of everyday social interactions are associated with chronic loneliness. We analyze data that were collected via in-home surveys and an ecological momentary assessment module from a probability-based sample of 272 adults aged 55 and older residing in Indiana. Participants were prompted four times per day over the course of seven days to report on their current activities and social experiences. Contrary to common assumptions, the quantitative measures of daily social interactions, such as the proportion of moments spent alone, the proportion of moments spent socializing, and the mean number of interaction partners during the study period were not significantly related to loneliness. However, the qualitative measures of social interactions—specifically, the presence of bonding social capital (e.g., emotional closeness) and the absence of stressful interactions—were associated with lower levels of loneliness. These findings underscore the importance of emotionally meaningful engagement and social strain over the sheer frequency or quantity of interactions, suggesting that the quality of daily social experiences is a key factor in supporting mental well-being in later life.

Suggested Citation

  • Siyun Peng & Adam R. Roth, 2025. "Quality over Quantity: The Association Between Daily Social Interactions and Loneliness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:9:p:1411-:d:1746325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Ruixue Zhaoyang & Karra D Harrington & Stacey B Scott & Jennifer E Graham-Engeland & Martin J Sliwinski, 2022. "Daily Social Interactions and Momentary Loneliness: The Role of Trait Loneliness and Neuroticism [Associations between loneliness and personality are mostly driven by a genetic association with Neu," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(10), pages 1791-1802.
    4. Karen L Fingerman & Yee To Ng & Shiyang Zhang & Katherine Britt & Gianna Colera & Kira S Birditt & Susan T Charles & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-being Among Older Adults [COVID-19 and the consequences of isolating the elderly]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(3), pages 116-121.
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