Loneliness, Isolation, and Well-Being Among Older Adults in Arab Countries: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review

Population aging is increasing across Arab countries. As a result, loneliness and social isolation among older adults have become important public health concerns due to their impact on well-being. This review aimed to examine research trends on loneliness, isolation, and well-being among older adults in Arab countries; synthesize evidence on their associations with well-being; and identify gaps and priorities for future research. A combined bibliometric analysis and systematic review was conducted. The findings indicate that research on this topic has grown substantially since 2020 but remains limited and concentrated in a small number of countries. Research on the mental health consequences of loneliness dominates the literature. Across studies, loneliness and social isolation were consistently associated with poorer mental health, lower quality of life, greater psychological distress, and adverse physical and nutritional outcomes. However, the literature largely appears to conceptualize loneliness and social isolation as individual or clinical problems, with limited attention paid to their broader social and structural determinants. Research also remains predominantly descriptive, with comparatively little focus on interventions, prevention strategies, or solution-oriented responses. This review makes suggestions for future research, including attention to social and structural factors, protective factors, and intervention-oriented approaches to loneliness and isolation in later life.