How Is One's Own and (Ex-)Partner's Professional Prestige Associated With Loneliness and Isolation? Findings Based on Cross-Sectional Data From Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living in Germany in 2022/2023

Abstract

Background and Aims: Thus far, very little is known about the association between occupational prestige and loneliness. Thus, our aim was to investigate how (1) one's own professional prestige, (2) the professional prestige of one's partner and (3) the professional standing of one's last spouse (for those without a spouse) are associated with loneliness and isolation. Methods: Data were used from the most recent wave of the nationally representative German Ageing Survey including individuals aged 43 years and above residing in private settings (wave 8, n = 3059 individuals; average age was 67.0 years, 52.2% female). Psychometrically sound instruments were used to measure the key variables. Sociodemographic, lifestyle- and health-related covariates were added to the linear regression model. Results: Higher own professional prestige was associated with lower loneliness and social isolation scores. In contrast, the professional prestige of one's partner and the professional standing of the last spouse (for those without a spouse) were both not significantly associated with loneliness and social isolation. Conclusion: Data suggest that one's own favorable professional prestige was associated with lower loneliness and social isolation levels, whereas the professional prestige of the (ex-)partner was unrelated to such social factors. Future longitudinal studies should analyze whether changing to a job with more professional prestige might be associated with changes in loneliness and social isolation.