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Addressing loneliness in later life
Simone Pettigrew1, Michele Roberts
1UWA Business School, University of Western Australia, Crawley WA, Australia. simone.pettigrew@uwa.edu.au
Aging & Mental Health
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Engaging in social activities like dining with others and solitary pursuits such as reading and gardening can help older adults combat loneliness. These pastimes are key to preventing social isolation from leading to emotional distress.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Social isolation is a growing concern among older adults.
- Loneliness in older age can have significant negative consequences on well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social and solitary pastimes that may alleviate loneliness in older individuals.
- To inform the development of interventions aimed at reducing social isolation's impact.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 19 in-depth interviews with Australians aged 65 and older.
- Qualitative analysis of participants' experiences with social isolation and loneliness.
Main Results:
- Participants identified specific pastimes that influenced their experience of loneliness.
- The transition from social isolation to emotional isolation was mediated by certain activities.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing social connections (friends, family) and engaging in rituals (eating, drinking) were key to maintaining social contact.
- Constructive solitary activities like reading and gardening helped manage feelings of loneliness.
- Recommendations are provided for interventions to prevent and treat loneliness in the elderly population.
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