The impact of social isolation on physical and mental health among empty-nest older adults: an integrative review

Introduction: To our knowledge, previously there have been no reviews about the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health among people aged over 60, who are empty-nest older adults. Objective: To conduct an integrative review of empirical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of social isolation and its influence among empty-nest older adults' health. Design: An integrative literature review. Data sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, EBSCOhost, CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP were searched for studies from the database inception to October 2025. Of 2,833 scrutinized articles, 14 were eligible for inclusion and subjected to independent quality appraisal. One mixed-method study, two qualitative research studies, and 11 quantitative research studies were selected. Results: Social isolation among empty-nest older adults is linked to elevated physical health risks, including higher mortality, as well as mental health issues such as depression, self-neglect, loneliness, reduced life satisfaction, and cognitive decline. It also impacts comprehensive health indicators like intrinsic capacity and quality of life. Mediating factors, including aging attitudes, loneliness, perceived stress, and health-promoting behaviors, exacerbate these effects. Conclusion: Social isolation adversely affects both physical and mental health in empty-nest older adults, underscoring the need for developing interventions to promote social support networks and expand social connections.