Publication type
Journal Article
Series Number
Authors
Publication date
May 1, 2025
Summary:
Objectives:
This study explores the association between financial strain and loneliness over time, investigates loneliness as a mediator in the relationship between financial strain and mental health, and examines the influence of gender.
Study design:
Longitudinal study.
Methods:
Using data from six waves (2017–2023) of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), which includes 34,535 participants (154,316 person-years), this study employs fixed-effects regression models.
Results:
Financial strain is significantly associated with increased loneliness over time (b = .155, p < .001). Loneliness partially mediates the relationship between financial strain and mental health, accounting for approximately 15 % of the effect. Notably, the relationship between loneliness and mental health is moderated by gender (b = .120, p < .001), with women experiencing more severe negative effects.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that alleviating financial strain could reduce loneliness and its detrimental effects on mental health. Addressing financial and social stressors is essential for public health strategies. Implementing gender-sensitive approaches is critical for addressing specific vulnerabilities, particularly among women.
Published in
Public Health
Volume and page numbers
Volume: 242 , p.299 -303
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.03.008
ISSN
00333506
Subjects
Notes
Open Access
Under a Creative Commons license
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Society for Public Health.
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