Loneliness as experienced by women living with chronic illness in rural areas

The purposes were to identify loneliness in rural women with chronic conditions and to identify the major themes represented in their descriptions of their feelings of loneliness.

This study was a secondary analysis of data collected during a 22-week computer-based support and health online intervention in which rural women participated in virtual forums that allowed them to share life experiences.

Quantitative data were gathered from participants' self-reported loneliness via the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Qualitative data analysis consisted of seeking loneliness themes imbedded in the participants' online exchanges.

High scores on the loneliness scale indicated a high degree of expressed loneliness, with possible scores of 20 to 80. The range of scores for all participants (n = 57) was 21 to 68; for those in the upper quartile (n = 12), the range was 52 to 68. Loneliness themes identified were longing for loved ones, changing relationships, listening in the background, and impact of rural factors.

Because loneliness has been described as a painful experience and can have long-reaching effects on an individual's health, it is a factor to be considered in planning nursing care for individuals who may be at risk because of physical and/or emotional isolation.