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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Socio-demographic characteristics associated with emotional and social loneliness among older adults.
Athina MarkakiSiok Swan TanElin KoppelaarTamara Alhambra-borrásArpana VermaLovorka BilajacGreg WilliamsHein RaatVanja VasiljevIrene N. FierloosCarmen B. FranseFrancesco U.s. Mattace-rasosubject
GerontologyMaleEmotional loneliness Social loneliness Population characteristicsSocio demographicsmedicine.medical_treatmentEmotionsLiving situationlcsh:Geriatricsartikel tijdschriftLogistic regressionAffect (psychology)03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineBIOMEDICINA I ZDRAVSTVO. Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita.MedicineHumans030212 general & internal medicineSocial lonelinessAgedRehabilitation030214 geriatricsHealth professionalsbusiness.industryLonelinessBIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE. Public Health and Health Care.Emotional lonelinessLonelinessPopulation characteristicsSocial loneliness.Europelcsh:RC952-954.6Scale (social sciences)FemaleIndependent LivingGeriatrics and Gerontologymedicine.symptombusinessResearch Articledescription
Abstract Background International studies provide an overview of socio-demographic characteristics associated with loneliness among older adults, but few studies distinguished between emotional and social loneliness. This study examined socio-demographic characteristics associated with emotional and social loneliness. Methods Data of 2251 community-dwelling older adults, included at the baseline measure of the Urban Health Centers Europe (UHCE) project, were analysed. Loneliness was measured with the 6-item De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between age, sex, living situation, educational level, migration background, and loneliness. Results The mean age of participants was 79.7 years (SD = 5.6 years); 60.4% women. Emotional and social loneliness were reported by 29.2 and 26.7% of the participants; 13.6% experienced emotional and social loneliness simultaneously. Older age (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06–1.28), living without a partner (2.16, 95% CI: 1.73–2.70), and having a low educational level (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.21–2.73), were associated with increased emotional loneliness. Women living with a partner were more prone to emotional loneliness than men living with a partner (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.31–2.40). Older age (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00–1.22) and having a low educational level (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.14–2.74) were associated with increased social loneliness. Men living without a partner were more prone to social loneliness than men living with a partner (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.35–2.78). Conclusions Socio-demographic characteristics associated with emotional and social loneliness differed regarding sex and living situation. Researchers, policy makers, and healthcare professionals should be aware that emotional and social loneliness may affect older adults with different socio-demographic characteristics.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-09 | BMC geriatrics |