Subjective Age and Loneliness in Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Attachment Patterns.

Loneliness in older adults has been associated with a myriad of undesirable physical and psychological consequences, as well as with negative age and aging perceptions. However, little is known regarding the effect of individual differences in the ability to seek, maintain, and benefit from close relationships in this context. Accordingly, we examined the associations between subjective age (i.e., how old/young one feels vis-à-vis his/her chronological age; SA), attachment patterns, and loneliness. Data were collected from 840 older adults in Israel (Mage = 74.75, SD = 5.50, range = 67-94), who provided information pertaining to SA, attachment anxiety/avoidance, and loneliness. Loneliness was associated with an older SA, as well as with high levels of attachment anxiety/avoidance. Moreover, the association between SA and loneliness was nullified for individuals with low levels of attachment anxiety/avoidance. The discussion highlights the importance of both age perceptions and attachment patterns for understanding the underlying mechanisms of late-life loneliness.

The mediating role of loneliness in the association between exposure to terror and psychological distress in older adults.

Terror attacks are known to bear detrimental effects on psychological distress in children, adolescents and young adults, but less is known about their influence on older adults. There is also evidence for increased loneliness following stressful events, but less is known about the mediating role of loneliness on the relation between terror attacks and psychological distress. The present study investigated the relation between exposure to terror attacks and psychological distress in older adults, as well as the potential mediating role of loneliness. Data were collected from 686 older adults (Mage= 73.49, SD= 6.02, range=65-94), who provided information regarding exposure to terror, loneliness, and psychological distress. Exposure to terror was positively associated with loneliness, which was, in turn, positively associated with psychological distress. Moreover, the link between terror exposure and psychological distress was mediated by loneliness. Our findings demonstrate the relation between exposure to terror and psychological distress in old age and suggest that loneliness contributes to this association.

Sense of community, meaning in life, and satisfaction with life among Ultra-Orthodox Jews: A mediation model.

The Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, characterized by close-knit ties and strong community values, has been particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, both epidemiologically and socially. Accordingly, the current study examined whether the connection between the sense of community and life satisfaction in this population is mediated by meaning in life (MIL). Three hundred and fifty-eight Ultra-Orthodox participants (age range: 30-70; M = 49.50, SD = 10.24) filled out scales assessing MIL, sense of community, and satisfaction with life (SWL), as well as sociodemographic and COVID-19-related scales. Sense of community was linked with increased MIL and life satisfaction. Moreover, the connection between sense of community and life satisfaction was mediated by MIL. This study highlights the roles of sense of community and MIL for Ultra-Orthodox individuals and emphasizes the importance of both concepts for maintaining SWL during COVID-19. Practical implications for Ultra-Orthodox communities are suggested.