Perceived age discrimination and social isolation mediate the relationship between disasters and loneliness: results from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India

Objectives: Disasters are an inevitable part of life, with older persons being particularly susceptible to their effects. Although social isolation (e.g., the objective lack of relationships) has an important role in making older persons more susceptible to the negative effects of disasters, less is known about the effects of disasters on social isolation and loneliness (e.g., the subjective perception of inadequate social ties). This study evaluated the mediating role of perceived age discrimination (e.g., the attribution of the experience of unfairness to one’s age) and social isolation in the relationship between disasters and loneliness. Methods: Relying on data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave 1 (N=31,902), we applied structural equation modelling to examine the direct effect of disasters on older persons’ loneliness and their indirect effect via perceived age discrimination and social isolation. Results: While disaster exposure was directly associated with perceived age discrimination, the broader association with loneliness occurs indirectly through perceived age discrimination and social isolation. Discussion: By highlighting the negative role of disasters on older persons’ loneliness and social isolation and identifying a potential mechanism that possibly explains this link, we also highlight a window of possibilities. Addressing age discrimination at the institutional level via rules and regulations and at the interpersonal level via educational interventions and intergenerational contact can result in lower social isolation and lower levels of loneliness in older persons.