An exploration of the consequences of, and coping with loneliness in an ageing intellectual disability population.

Background : Loneliness has been associated with hypervigilance and sad passivity. The physiological and psychological reactions of people with an intellectual disability to loneliness have never been investigated. This research aims to explore the outcomes of loneliness for an ageing intellectual disability population. Methods : In Ireland, data from a nationally representative data set of people aged over 40 years with an intellectual disability (N=317) was applied to a social environment model that describes the effects of loneliness in five pre-disease pathways health behaviours, exposure to stressful life events, coping, health and recuperation. The data was tested through chi-squared, ANCOVA and binary logistic regression. Results : Being lonely predicted raised systolic blood pressure (A.O.R=2.051, p=0.039), sleeping difficulties (AOR=2.526, p=0.002) and confiding in staff (AOR=0.464 p=0.008). Additionally, participants who did moderate activity had significantly higher loneliness scores (F=4.171, p<0.05). Conclusions : The analysis supports the concept of hypervigilance in older people with an intellectual disability and limited support for the use of coping mechanisms that differ from those found in the wider population. Future research needs to investigate the longitudinal relationships between loneliness and health.