Irene N Fierloos1, Siok Swan Tan1, Greg Williams2, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás3, Elin Koppelaar4, Lovorka Bilajac5, Arpana Verma2, Athina Markaki6, Francesco Mattace-Raso7, Vanja Vasiljev5, Carmen B Franse1, Hein Raat8. 1. Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 3. Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 4. Research Centre Innovation in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. 6. Alliance for Integrated Care, Athens, Greece. 7. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 8. Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. h.raat@erasmusmc.nl.
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
Emotional loneliness; Population characteristics; Social loneliness
Authors: Louise C Hawkley; Mary Elizabeth Hughes; Linda J Waite; Christopher M Masi; Ronald A Thisted; John T Cacioppo Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 4.077