Longitudinal Associations between Loneliness-Related Experiences and Changes in Naming Ability among US Older Adults: Evidence from the Bivariate Latent Change Score Models

Background Naming ability is a key indicator of language-related cognitive function in older adults, but its longitudinal relationship with different loneliness-related dimensions remains unclear. This study investigated the longitudinal dynamic relationships between naming ability and two loneliness-related dimensions, Feeling isolated and Lack of social connection, among older adults in the US. Methods The main analyses used baseline and 12-year follow-up data from the 2008 and 2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. The analytic sample included 2,960 adults aged 65 years and older at baseline. Naming ability was measured using TICS-based naming-related items. Feeling isolated and Lack of social connection were derived from the 11-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Two bivariate latent change score models were estimated to examine self-feedback effects and cross-domain coupling effects between naming ability and each loneliness-related dimension. The models adjusted for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, physical health, depressive symptoms, and family structure. Results From 2008 to 2020, naming ability was lower at follow-up, whereas Feeling isolated and Lack of social connection were higher. In the model of naming ability and Feeling isolated, baseline naming ability significantly and positively predicted subsequent change in Feeling isolated, while baseline Feeling isolated significantly and negatively predicted subsequent change in naming ability. In the model of naming ability and Lack of social connection, baseline Lack of social connection significantly and negatively predicted subsequent change in naming ability, whereas baseline naming ability did not significantly predict change in Lack of social connection. Both models showed significant self-feedback effects, but the associations between change in naming ability and change in loneliness-related dimensions were not significant. Conclusion Loneliness-related experiences may serve as prospective risk factors for unfavorable changes in naming ability among older adults. Feeling isolated and Lack of social connection were both linked to later changes in naming ability, but their longitudinal patterns differed. These findings highlight the importance of understanding language-related cognitive aging within the broader context of social interaction and social connection. Public health interventions should support daily communication, social participation, and stable social relationships to help maintain language-related cognitive function in later life.