Social and emotional loneliness among older adults in a coastal suburb in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Loneliness is defined as an unpleasant experience due to lack of social interactions. Older adults are more susceptible to loneliness resulting poor quality life. There is evidence that loneliness can have both physical and mental health consequences. Our cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence and associated factors of social and emotional loneliness (SEL) among older adults in Hikkaduwa Municipality (HM), a suburb in Sri Lanka. A multistage cluster sample of 120 older adults were interviewed administering a questionnaire comprising of De-Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Prevalence of SEL was calculated. Chi-square test was used to describe associated factors of SEL. We found a high prevalence of SEL of 47.8% in HM. Unmarried/ widowed status, non usage of phones and self-rated poor general health status were significantly associated with SEL. Several sociodemographic and social and health related factors significantly related to loneliness were observed, calling for further exploration of this to improve the life of the older adults. Interventions such as developing telephone hotlines, befriending schemes, facilitating to participate in activities of interest, frequent medical check-up are recommended.

Keywords

• Older adults
• Loneliness