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Title

Feeling older when alone: Exploring the relationship between loneliness and subjective age, moderated by age stereotypes.

Abstract

Subjective age— the age individuals feel as opposed to their chronological age—is influenced not only by individual experiences but also by societal beliefs about what it means to grow older. A common stereotype portrays older adults as lonely and socially isolated. This study examined whether feelings of loneliness are linked to feeling older and whether this association is stronger among individuals who perceive loneliness as a defining feature of old age (i.e., those with higher loneliness age stereotypes). Multi-level modelling was employed to analyse data from 108 Swiss older adults (N = 108), aged 65 to 92 (M = 73.6, SD = 5.8; 59% female). Data was collected during a 14-day daily diary study (Study ZWAG 65+) conducted from June to September 2022. The results indicated that on days when participants felt older than their chronological age, they reported higher levels of loneliness (b = 0.06, 95% CI [0.03, 0.08], p < .001). Perceived loneliness age stereotypes did not significantly moderate the association between daily loneliness and subjective age (b = 0.00, 95% CI [-0.01, -0.02], p < .631). These findings underscore the importance of loneliness as a predictor of older subjective age. Subjective age shapes how people engage with aging, influencing motivation, behaviour, and overall well-being. Beyond the effects of chronological age and objective health, subjective age is linked to poorer future physical and mental health, reduced cognitive functioning, and increased mortality risk. Future research should explore additional moderators that may influence the relationship between loneliness and subjective aging.