Socio-Demographic and Health Related Correlates of Loneliness in Elderly
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 11
Abstract
Background: Loneliness is an important factor affecting mental well-being in elderly. The socio-demographic and health related factors determine feeling of loneliness in them. Aims and Objectives: To study Socio-demographic and health related correlates of loneliness in elderly Material and Methods: Cross sectional study done on 77 lonely and 22 non-lonely elderly were assessed clinically and using Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form [GDS-SF]and Loneliness Scale. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS-20 software. Result: Depressive symptoms were associated with lonely group significantly (t = 9.776,p = .000). Unmarried, widowed and divorced status were more associated with loneliness (chi-square-8.160, p-0.043*). While other factors like female gender, history of self-harm, presence of stressors, divorced and widowed status, living without partner, having medical illness, poor perceived health, having alcohol and tobacco dependence, having subjective memory complains, impaired ADL(Activities of Daily Living) and presence of disability though not statistically significant but were more associated with lonely group. Social network related factors like number of social contacts and time spent in social activities were negatively associated with loneliness (t-value=- 2.304,p-value-0.023*and t-value=-2.290,p-value-0.024*). Also on looking at the trend from normal lonely lonely and depressed both, the above variables as well as GDS scores showed decreasing trend. Meaning that change in these variables is associated with transition of person without loneliness and depression to having them gradually over a period of time in that order Conclusion: Sociodemographic and health related factors are associated with feeling of loneliness in elderly. Number of social contacts and time spent in social activities significantly differ in normal, lonely and depressed elderly
Authors and Affiliations
Raut Nitin B
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