Original scientific paper
A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LONELINESS IN OLDER INDIVIDUALS FROM NORTHERN CROATIA
MARIJANA NEUBERG
; Department of Nursing, North University, Varaždin University Center, Varaždin, Croatia
INES KOSIR
; Čakovec County Hospital, Čakovec, Croatia
TOMISLAV MEŠTROVIĆ
; Department of Nursing, North University, Varaždin University Center, Varaždin, Croatia; Dr. Zora Profozić Polyclinic, Zagreb, Croatia
ROSANA RIBIĆ
; Department of Nursing, North University, Varaždin University Center, Varaždin, Croatia
TINA CIKAČ
; Department of Nursing, North University, Varaždin University Center, Varaždin, Croatia
Abstract
Loneliness can be defi ned as an extremely uncomfortable emotional state that occurs when a person feels rejected or misunderstood by others and, thus, lacks a company for social activities and emotional intimacy, which represents an important issue in elderly population and a signifi cant public health challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate social and emotional loneliness in two groups of elderly subjects (i.e., individuals in the institution vs. persons living in their homes) and to determine the extent to which loneliness is related to their sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted in 2020 on a convenient sample of 300 respondents by using a questionnaire on social and
emotional loneliness of elderly individuals (with the use of a standardized SELSA survey instrument). Results: The results have shown that both groups of elderly respondents are lonely and that the occurrence of loneliness differs with regard to their sociodemographic characteristics. Furthermore, a correlation was found between the experience of loneliness in the elderly and their place of residence; the problem was more prevalent in female individuals, while individuals over age 85 demonstrated a higher level of loneliness. Conclusion: The conducted research embedded in the theory of loneliness represents a signifi cant contribution to the science of social gerontology by determining the existing situation in institutions and in respondents’ own homes. Further studies in this fi eld will aim to develop appropriate models of loneliness prevention. Although this study revealed a number of characteristics that can instigate loneliness in older adults, more research will be needed in order to develop appropriate prevention models in the future.
Keywords
elderly individuals; social and emotional loneliness; social support; institutionalization
Hrčak ID:
273935
URI
Publication date:
16.3.2022.
Visits: 1.360 *