Association of Professional Environment with Loneliness and Perceived Social Isolation among Individuals in Their Second Half of Life

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the association between professional environment and loneliness and perceived social isolation, including stratification by sex and age group. Data from the latest wave of the German Ageing Survey (n=3,576 individuals aged 43 and older) were used. Occupations were categorized into six professional environments (realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional) based on Holland�s model. Loneliness and perceived social isolation were measured using established tools. Individuals in social, enterprising, and conventional professions showed lower perceived social isolation scores compared to those in realistic professions, particularly among individuals aged 65 and older. However, no significant differences in loneliness were observed. Some effects were sex-specific, with men in conventional professions and women in artistic professions experiencing lower perceived social isolation. Enterprising professions generally yielded positive outcomes across groups. The findings highlight an association between professional environment and perceived social isolation, with variations based on age and sex. Enterprising professions may help in avoiding perceived social isolation, though longitudinal evidence is needed. The study recommends further research in other countries.