MOMENTARY AND LONGITUDINAL EFFECTS OF LONELINESS ON DEMENTIA CAREGIVER WELL-BEING - No. 1275 - Abstract citation ID igaf122.4254

Q: How does loneliness affect caregivers in the short term (momentary effects)?

Within-person increases in loneliness predicted greater depressed affect, after controlling for demographics.

Q: What loneliness-related outcomes changed over time in the longitudinal analysis?

Higher baseline loneliness predicted increases in caregiver burden and anticipatory grief beyond prior levels, but it did not predict increases in depressive symptoms.

Q: How do attachment styles influence the loneliness–depressed affect relationship?

Attachment anxiety heightened vulnerability to depressed affect, while attachment avoidance buffered the daily within-person link between loneliness and depressed affect.

Sep 29, 2026

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Spousal caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) often face profound loneliness, linked to psychological distress and health risks. Guided by stress process and attachment frameworks, this study tests momentary and longitudinal effects of loneliness on caregivers’ emotional well-being and outcomes. Ecological momentary assessments captured loneliness and affect, while baseline and follow-up surveys measured caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and anticipatory grief. Results show within-person loneliness increases depressed affect, and baseline loneliness predicts higher burden and anticipatory grief over time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study Aim

Momentary and Longitudinal Design

Methods

Participants and Measures

Results

Within-Person Effects

Longitudinal Predictors

Moderating Role of Attachment

Implications

Mechanistic Insight and Intervention Targets

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1275 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4254 MOMENTARY AND LONGITUDINAL EFFECTS OF LONELINESS ON DEMENTIA CAREGIVER WELL-BEING Christopher Fagundes1, Pauline Goodson1, Vincent D. Lai1, Daniel Argueta2, Paula Lanternier1, Valentina Maza Santibañez1, Kelly N. Brice1, and Brenda Zarazua-Osorio1, 1. Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States, 2. Rice Univdrsity, Houston, Texas, United States Spousal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) often experience profound loneliness, which contributes to persistent psychological distress and elevated risk for morbidity and mortality. Yet the mechanisms through which loneliness shapes their emotional well-being and caregiving outcomes remain unclear. Guided by stress process and attachment frameworks, we tested both momentary and longitudinal effects of loneliness in AD/ADRD spousal caregivers. Participants (N =69; mean age = 71.5 years; 64% female; 62% White) completed ecological momentary assessments of loneliness and affect, along with baseline and follow-up surveys of caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and anticipatory grief. Multilevel models showed that within-person increases in loneliness predicted greater depressed affect (b=0.72, p < .001), controlling for demographics. Longitudinally, higher baseline loneliness predicted increases in caregiver burden (b=0.21, p = .02) and anticipatory grief (b=0.01, p = .01), but not depressive symptoms, beyond prior levels. Moderation analyses indicated that attachment anxiety heightened vulnerability to depressed affect, whereas attachment avoidance buffered the within-person daily link between loneliness and depressed affect. Findings demonstrate that loneliness functions as both a dynamic daily process and a long-term vulnerability factor in AD/ADRD spousal caregiving. By identifying attachment insecurity as a risk amplifier, this work provides mechanistic insight into when and for whom loneliness is most detrimental and highlights loneliness as a promising intervention target to reduce burden, mitigate anticipatory grief, and promote resilience among AD/ADRD spousal caregivers.

FAQs

How does loneliness affect caregivers in the short term (momentary effects)?

Within-person increases in loneliness predicted greater depressed affect, after controlling for demographics.

What loneliness-related outcomes changed over time in the longitudinal analysis?

Higher baseline loneliness predicted increases in caregiver burden and anticipatory grief beyond prior levels, but it did not predict increases in depressive symptoms.

How do attachment styles influence the loneliness–depressed affect relationship?

Attachment anxiety heightened vulnerability to depressed affect, while attachment avoidance buffered the daily within-person link between loneliness and depressed affect.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by SANS