Grant: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data

A large body of research shows that social isolation and loneliness have negative consequences for people's health and well-being. Research also shows that many people are socially isolated or lonely. It is therefore important to prevent social isolation or loneliness from occurring, and providing supports to those who already are socially isolated or lonely. A challenge is to identify individuals at risk of, or who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness. This creates a major barrier to connect individuals with resources or supports. In this study, we aim to examine how socially isolated or lonely Canadians are in different areas in the country; that is, are there certain neighborhoods, towns, or rural areas in the country where people are more socially isolated or lonely than in others? We will also examine whether personal factors (e.g., age, health), as well as environmental factors, or factors related to where people live (e.g., rural vs. urban place of residence; relatively poorer vs. more affluent places of residence) are related to social isolation or loneliness. The study will be based on data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and will include Canadians aged 45 to 85 years old when they were first recruited into the study.