The importance of emotional and social isolation to loneliness among very old rural adults.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of emotional and social isolation to loneliness among very old rural adults. The sample (N = 119) was selected using a compact area cluster sampling design. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotional isolation--more specifically, the loss of spouse--accounted for more loneliness than social isolation. Hearing acuity and visits with siblings (social isolation variables) were also significant predictors of loneliness. The implications for loneliness interventions are discussed.
Dugan
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E
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro 27412-5001.
Kivett
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VR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012934:Social Isolation; D013029:Space-Time Clustering