Factors Associated with Loneliness among Institutionalized and Community Dwelling Elders

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

2 Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

Abstract

Satisfying social relationships are vital for elder's mental and physical health. Deficits
in the quality of these social relationships can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness in
elders. Objective: To identify factors associated with loneliness among institutionalized and
community dwelling elders. Settings: The study was carried out in all governmental elderly
homes in Dakahlia Governorate and two outpatient clinics affiliated to Mansoura General
Hospital and the Specialized Medical Hospital. Subjects: 151 elderly persons were included
in the study (61 elders from elderly homes and 90 from outpatient clinics. Tools: five tools
were used: Mini-Mental State Examination, Socio-demographic structured Interview
Schedule Sheet, Barthel Index Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Geriatric Depression
Scale. Results: The main factors associated with loneliness among institutionalized elders
were sex, level of education, occupation before retirement, health perception, and presence of
depression. While, marital status, occupation before retirement, income, health perception,
and presence of depression were the factors associated with loneliness among community
dwelling elders. Conclusion: Loneliness is prevailing among institutionalized elders than
community dwelling elders. The main factors associated with loneliness for both groups were
elders' occupation before retirement, their perception of health and presence of depression.
Recommendations: Increase elders' awareness about their health, and encourage their
participation in volunteer and recreational activities.

Keywords

Alexandria Scientific Nursing Journal
Volume 17, Issue 2
December 2015
Pages 37-50

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