Monash University Study Uncovers Protective Role of Personal Control Against Loneliness

The latest research from Monash University has shed new light on a critical public health issue affecting older Australians: loneliness. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study reveals that a stronger sense of personal control—known as an internal locus of control—significantly reduces feelings of isolation among those aged 65 and over. This finding holds true even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, offering hope for targeted interventions in aging populations.

Led by Dr. Pei-Chun Ko from Monash University's School of Social Sciences, the research draws on longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. By examining how beliefs about controlling one's life outcomes influence loneliness, the study challenges traditional approaches focused solely on increasing social interactions. Instead, it emphasizes psychological resilience as a key factor in combating the loneliness epidemic Down Under.

Defining Locus of Control: Internal vs. External Beliefs

Locus of control (LoC), a concept first introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter in the 1950s, refers to the degree to which individuals believe they have influence over the events that affect their lives. An internal locus of control means attributing outcomes to personal actions and decisions, while an external locus blames fate, luck, or powerful others.

In the context of older adults, an internal LoC fosters self-efficacy—the confidence to solve problems, regulate emotions, and seek help when needed. The Monash study measured LoC using a seven-item scale from HILDA data collected in 2011, 2015, and 2019, with loneliness assessed the following year in 2012, 2016, and 2020. This temporal design allowed researchers to establish causality: higher internal LoC preceded and predicted lower loneliness levels.

The Study's Methodology: Leveraging HILDA for Robust Insights

The HILDA Survey, managed by the Melbourne Institute at the University of Melbourne, is Australia's premier longitudinal study tracking over 17,000 individuals annually since 2001. The Monash team analyzed 4,994 person-wave observations from participants aged 65+, employing fixed-effects models to control for individual differences, sociodemographics, health status, social contacts, and time periods.

Loneliness was gauged via a single-item measure: "How often do you feel lonely?" scored from 0 (never) to 3 (always). LoC scores ranged similarly. Statistical analysis showed a significant negative association: each unit increase in internal LoC correlated with a 0.008 reduction in loneliness score (p < 0.001). The effect was consistent across waves but appeared stronger during the 2020 pandemic peak.

Key Results: Quantifying the Protective Effect

The study's core revelation is clear: older Australians with greater personal agency report markedly less loneliness. During non-pandemic years (2012, 2016), internal LoC buffered isolation effectively. In 2020, amid lockdowns and restrictions, this buffer strengthened, suggesting psychological traits like problem-solving confidence help reframe solitude as temporary rather than overwhelming.

• Internal LoC reduces loneliness independently of social contacts or health factors.
• Causal direction confirmed: LoC influences loneliness, not vice versa.
• Pandemic amplification: Protective effect intensified under crisis conditions.

Dr. Ko notes, "Loneliness is not just about how many people you see; it's about how much control you feel you have." This underscores LoC's role in resilience.

Australia's Loneliness Crisis Among Seniors: The Bigger Picture

Loneliness affects approximately 28.5% of Australians aged 60+, per recent meta-analyses, with rates climbing post-pandemic. HILDA 2023 data indicates 15-16% of all adults feel lonely often, but risks escalate for seniors due to retirement, bereavement, mobility issues, and living alone.

In retirement villages, nearly 20% report loneliness, linked to low mood, pain, and cognitive decline. Nationally, 1 in 3 older adults face isolation, contributing to higher dementia, cardiovascular disease, and mortality risks—equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Photo by Marcel Strauß on Unsplash

Pandemic's Lasting Shadow: Why LoC Mattered Most Then

COVID-19 exacerbated isolation through lockdowns, family separations, and health fears. The Monash analysis shows internal LoC's protective edge sharpened in 2020 versus 2016, as those believing in self-influence adapted better—perhaps by maintaining routines or seeking virtual connections proactively.

This resilience factor proved crucial when external circumstances were uncontrollable, highlighting LoC's value in crisis preparedness for aging populations.

Implications for Interventions: Beyond Social Prescribing

Traditional anti-loneliness efforts emphasize befriending or clubs, but Monash urges agency-building programs: workshops on goal-setting, decision-making, and adaptive coping. Embedding these in aged care could empower seniors to navigate life transitions confidently.

• Problem-solving training to boost self-efficacy.
• Daily engagement activities fostering control (e.g., volunteering, hobbies).
• Policy integration: Fund LoC-focused initiatives alongside social ones.

Dr. Ko advocates, "Policies and programs must recognize this psychological dimension."AIHW reports on loneliness support multifaceted approaches.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Researchers and Policymakers Weigh In

Co-author Dr. Rosanne Freak-Poli (Monash Health) stresses holistic health strategies. Policymakers, via Australia's National Loneliness Taskforce, could prioritize LoC in aged care reforms. Universities like Monash are pivotal, training psychologists for such interventions.

Real-World Applications: Case Studies from Australian Communities

In Melbourne's retirement villages, pilots integrating agency-building (e.g., resident-led committees) reduced loneliness by 15-20%. Rural seniors, often more isolated, benefit from telehealth programs teaching self-management. Monash's findings inform scalable models nationwide.

For instance, HILDA participants with high internal LoC maintained social ties via proactive outreach during lockdowns, modeling resilience.

Challenges and Future Outlook: Research Gaps Ahead

While promising, limitations include HILDA's single-item loneliness measure and lack of post-2020 LoC data. Future Monash-led studies may explore interventions' long-term efficacy. With Australia's population aging (25% over 65 by 2040), addressing LoC could avert a health crisis.

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for Families, Caregivers, and Professionals

1. Encourage seniors' decision-making in daily routines.
2. Promote skill-building workshops via community centers.
3. Monitor LoC in aged care assessments.

Explore higher education jobs in psychology and public health to advance this field.

Conclusion: Empowering Australia's Seniors Through Agency

Monash University's groundbreaking work proves personal control is a powerful antidote to loneliness. By fostering internal LoC, Australia can build healthier, more connected aging communities. Interested in gerontology careers? Check university jobs, higher ed jobs, or rate my professor for mentors. For career advice, visit higher ed career advice.