Effects of own and spousal disability on loneliness among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the effects of own and spousal disability on social and emotional loneliness among married adults aged 65 and older.


METHODS
Data from 710 men and 379 women of a Dutch community sample were analyzed with linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
For men, only their wives' disability was related to higher levels of social loneliness, whereas for women mainly their own disability was related to higher levels of social loneliness. Own disability and spousal disability were related to higher levels of emotional loneliness among both men and women. Effects of disability remained unaffected after controlling for characteristics of the social network and the marital relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings underscore the importance of considering effects of both spouses' health on measures of individual well-being. Also, the traditional division of social roles makes older married men relatively vulnerable to social loneliness when their wives suffer from disability.
Korporaal
Marga
M
Faculty of Social Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.korporaal@fsw.vu.nl
Broese van Groenou
Marjolein I
MI
van Tilburg
Theo G
TG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*