title: Loneliness in Elderly People, Associated Factors and Its Correlation with Quality of Life: A Field Study from Western Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the factors that affect loneliness of older people and their relationship with quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data in this cross-sectional study were collected through survey form, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Quality of Life (QOL) Short Form (SF-36) Scale. The total number of elderly people over the age of 65 yr from whom the study population was chosen was 4,170. The study population was determined as 190 with G-power program by taking impact size 0.362, α=0.05, power (1-β) =0.80 at a confidence level of 95% and a substitute group composing of 10 individuals was added. In total, 83.2% (n=174) of the target population was reached via Multi-Stage Sampling Methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UCLA Loneliness median score of the participants was 33 (25(th)p= 27, 75(th)p= 40). It was found that the existence of chronic diseases and physical handicaps, regular use of medication, lack of hobbies and living with spouse increased loneliness (P<0.05). A negative relationship was identified between all sub-scales in the QOL scale and loneliness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Loneliness negatively affects QOL in old age and that the existence of chronic health problems and lack of hobbies are strong predictors for loneliness. Elderly people living alone must be evaluated as a high-risk group and thus policy makers and health personnel should be aware of the factors that can affect loneliness. In order to increase life quality of the aged population and psychological well-being of the elderly, social support systems must be taken into account and the elderly should be encouraged to participate in social activities.
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Aydin Health College, Adnan Menderes University , Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hülya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arslantaş
authors.affiliation: 2. Dept. of Community Health Nursing, Aydin Health College, Adnan Menderes University , Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Adana
authors.affiliation: 3. Dept. of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Adnan Menderes University , Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abacigil Ergin
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Aydin Health College, Adnan Menderes University , Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kayar
authors.affiliation: 2. Dept. of Community Health Nursing, Aydin Health College, Adnan Menderes University , Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülçin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acar
keywords: Loneliness; Old age; Quality of life