title: Loneliness, loss, and social support among cognitively intact older people with cancer, living in nursing homes--a mixed-methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Loneliness is a significant psychosocial effect following a cancer diagnosis and may prevent people from engaging in social activities, thus creating difficulties in interpersonal relationships. This study investigated loneliness and social support among cognitively intact nursing home residents with cancer by using a quantitatively driven mixed-methods design with sequential supplementary qualitative components.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quantitative component consisted of face-to-face interviews of 60 nursing home residents (≥65 years) using the one-item Loneliness Scale and the Social Provisions Scale. The supplementary psychosocial component consisted of qualitative research interviews about experiences related to loneliness with nine respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The quantitative results indicated that reassurance of worth was associated with loneliness. The experience of loneliness was identified by the following: loneliness that was dominated by a feeling of inner pain, feeling of loss, and feeling small. Loneliness was alleviated by the following: being engaged in activities, being in contact with other people, and occupying oneself.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhancing the lives of nursing home residents with cancer requires attending to the residents' experience of loneliness and social relationships in a targeted and individualized manner. This might require screening all nursing home residents for early detection of loneliness. Revealing factors that may contribute to or reduce loneliness improves the ability to enhance people's lives.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway ; Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Jorunn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drageset
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway ; Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Geir Egil
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dysvik
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Furnes
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Studies and Centre for Caring Research - Southern Norway, Telemark University College, Porsgrunn, Norway.
authors.forename: Solveig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hauge
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012944:Social Support
keywords: loneliness; mixed-methods; nursing homes; older adults; social support