Social isolation
9.4% of all veterans
experienced social isolation. This was similar to people who had never served in the ADF (11%).
Veterans in poor general health
were more likely to experience social isolation (26%) than veterans in good general health (5.8%). This pattern was similar to people who had never served in the ADF (27% and 8.8%).
Veterans who served in the regular service
were over twice as likely to experience social isolation (12%) as those who served in the Reserves (5.0%).
How did we measure social isolation in veterans?
As part of the HILDA self-completion questionnaire, respondents were asked how much they agree with 10 statements about the amount of social support available to them. These statements focused on themes such as visits from people, access to help, lack of confidants and the ability to reach out for support when needed.
A person’s level of agreement with these statements was used to calculate scores on the Index of Social Support (ISS), which can range from -30 to +30 (Flood 2005). A high score on the ISS indicates no lack of social support, while a low score indicates social isolation (Relationships Australia 2018).
Based on responses to these survey questions, respondents were disaggregated into two subgroups for analysis:
- Experienced social isolation - indicated by ISS scores of -30 to -1.
- Did not experience social isolation - indicated by ISS scores of 0 to 30.
People who did not complete the self-completion questionnaire for all 10 questions about social support were excluded from this analysis.
On this page, only the proportions of people who indicated that they experienced social isolation (that is, who had an ISS score of between -30 and -1) are reported.
Comparing to people who have never served in the ADF
Overall, analysis of self-reported data from Wave 21 of HILDA indicated that people who had ever served in the ADF (herein referred to as ‘veterans’) experienced social isolation at a similar rate to people who had never served in the ADF (9.4% compared with 11%, respectively).
Some subgroups of veterans were at lower risk of social isolation than people who had never served in the ADF from the same subgroups. This includes veterans who were:
- aged 18 to 44 (7.8%, compared with 12% of people who had never served in the ADF)
- not in the labour force (that is, neither working nor looking for work) (9.1%, compared with 13% of people who had never served in the ADF)
- in good general health (5.8%, compared with 8.8% of people who had never served in the ADF)
- without disability (5.0%, compared with 8.8% of people who had never served in the ADF)
- frequently in social contact with others (2.4%, compared with 5.6% of people who had never served in the ADF).
Other subgroups of veterans experienced social isolation at rates similar to people who had never served in the ADF. No subgroups of veterans experienced social isolation at rates higher than people who had never served in the ADF.
Comparing between subgroups of veterans
Some subgroups of veterans were at higher risk of social isolation than others. This includes veterans who:
- had served in the regular service (12%, compared with 5.0% of veterans who had served in the reserves)4 (Figure 5)
- had infrequent social contact with others (26%, compared with 2.4% of veterans who were frequently in social contact with others)5
- were in poor general health (26%, compared with 5.8% of veterans in good general health)6
- did not feel part of their local community (19%, compared with 5.5% of veterans who felt part of their local community) 7
- had disability (14%, compared with 5.0% of veterans without disability) 8
- were not active members of clubs or associations (12%, compared with 5.6% of veterans who were active members of clubs or associations)9
- were aged 45 to 64 (14%, compared with 7.4% of veterans aged 65 years and older)10 (Figure 6).
Figure 5: Rates of social isolation, by defence workforce type, 2021–22
The bar chart shows rates of social isolation of veterans by defence worktype. Findings show that veterans who had served in the regular service were more likely to be socially isolated than veterans who had served in the Reserves.
Figure 6: Rates of social isolation, by individual characteristics and ADF service status, 2021–22
The bar chart shows rates of social isolation by individual characteristics. Findings show that no subgroups of veterans experienced social isolation at rates significantly higher than the same subgroups in the broader Australian population
Why did we measure social isolation among veterans?
Social isolation refers to the lack of relationships with family and friends on an individual level, and with society on a broader level (AIFS 2022). Social isolation considers the extent, range, and depth of an individual’s social network. Social support networks are important as they can enhance resilience to stress, help protect against developing trauma related disorders, and reduce medical mortality (Ozbay et al. 2007). Without them, an individual may become socially isolated and may experience poor physical and mental health, such as an increased risk of high blood pressure, cognitive decline, depression, and mortality (McGuire et al. 2023).
Previous research on social support using HILDA data has indicated that Australians tend to have higher social support if they are either aged 65 and over, have higher levels of education, have higher household equivalised income, are employed, or are partnered. Conversely, Australians who are unemployed or in poor general or mental health tend to have lower social support (Wilkins et al 2022).
Some veterans may be at higher risk of becoming socially isolated when they re-enter civilian life. For example, the geographical mobility and frequent deployments associated with military service may create difficulties for veterans with building and maintaining social networks. The high prevalence of exposure to trauma and associated risks of developing mental health disorders may also increase their susceptibility to the negative effects of social isolation (Wilson et al. 2018).
4. This comparison excludes persons who had served in both the regular and reserve service.
5. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (22% of those who had infrequent social contact with people outside their household compared with 5.6% of those frequently in social contact with people outside their household).
6. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (27% of those who were in poor general health compared with 8.8% of those in good health).
7. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (19% of those who did not feel part of their local community compared with 5.9% of those who did).
8. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (15% of those with disability compared with 8.8% of those without disability).
9. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (13% of those who were not active members of clubs or associations compared with 6.8% of those who were).
10. A similar result was found among people who had never served in the ADF (11% of those aged 45-64 compared with 7.6% of those aged 65 years and older).
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) (2022) Understanding and defining loneliness and social isolation, AIFS, Australian Government, accessed 30 May 2023.
Flood M (2005) Mapping Loneliness in Australia, The Australia Institute, accessed 18 July.
McGuire AP, Elmore C, Szabo YZ, Kurz AS, Mendoza C, Umucu E and Creech SK (2023) ‘Exploring the trajectory and correlates of social isolation for veterans across a 6-month period during COVID-19’, PLOS ONE, 18(3): e0281575, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281575.
Ozbay F, Johnson DC, Dimoulas E, Morgan CA, Charney D and Southwick S (2007) ‘Social support and resilience to stress: from neurobiology to clinical practice’. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 4(5):35–40, PMID:20806028.
Relationships Australia (2018) Is Australia experiencing an epidemic of loneliness? Findings from 16 waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia Survey, Relationships Australia, accessed 18 July 2023.
Wilkins R, Vera-Toscano E, Botha F, Wooden M and Trong-Anh T (2022) The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey: Selected Findings from Waves 1 to20, Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, accessed 5 June 2023.
Wilson G, Hill M and Kiernan MD (2018) ‘Loneliness and social isolation of military veterans: systematic narrative review.’ Occupational Medicine, 68(9): 600-609, doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqy160.