Loneliness in old age: Psychosocial and health predictors

Authors

  • Karen Kaasa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v8i2.468

Abstract

 

Study objectives

 

 

Design

 

 

Main results

 

 

17% (CI 12.5–23.0) of the respondents answered yes. A significant correlation was demonstrated

between a feeling of loneliness and low self-perceived health, low vision and poor hearing, low activity of daily

life (ADL) function, loss of a spouse, low social network, no hobbies and possession of a safety alarm. After a

multiple regression analysis of the significant variables, the remaining variables as predictors for loneliness

included: number of social contacts, self-perceived health, using hearing aid and having a safety alarm.

: : The information is obtained from a survey conducted among 232 inhabitants in this age group in the municipality

of Tønsberg, its Northern District. The interview data are composed of the responses from 202 elderly

people living in a house or apartment (non-institutionalized) to the question «do you generally feel lonely?».

The purpose of this article is to study the prevalence of loneliness in a group of elderly people

over 80 years old and the sociodemographic, health-related and social predictors for experiencing loneliness.

ABSTRACT:

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Published

2009-10-30

How to Cite

Kaasa, K. (2009). Loneliness in old age: Psychosocial and health predictors. Norsk Epidemiologi, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v8i2.468

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (1998): The epidemiology of ageing

Section

Articles

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