Factors associated with loneliness of noninstitutionalized and institutionalized older adults.
OBJECTIVE
First, to seek if sociodemographic and health factors contribute differentially to the explanation of loneliness in institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults; and second, to analyze the influence of institutionalization on loneliness.


METHODS
This work was based on two surveys of older adults aged 60 years or more in Spain. A group of 234 community-dwelling people and 234 nursing homes residents were selected (n = 468). Logistic regression models were applied using the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale as dependent variable.


RESULTS
Depression was associated with loneliness in both populations. Sex and marital status contributed to explain loneliness among those living at home, whereas gathering with family, friends, and neighbors showed a significant effect in the institutionalized group. Institutionalization per se showed a strong effect on loneliness.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings have potential implications for targeting older adults at risk for loneliness.
Prieto-Flores
Maria-Eugenia
ME
Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. mprieto@isciii.es
Forjaz
Maria João
MJ
Fernandez-Mayoralas
Gloria
G
Rojo-Perez
Fermina
F
Martinez-Martin
Pablo
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003153:Community Health Services; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires