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Loneliness in Older Indian Dyads
1Department of Psychological Sciences, FLAME University, 401 Phoenix Complex, Bund Garden Rd., Opp. Residency Club, Pune 411001, India.
Summary
Marital depression and partner employment significantly impact loneliness in older Indian adults. Understanding these dyadic factors is crucial for addressing loneliness in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Loneliness is a significant public health issue for older adults, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India.
- Research on social relationships and loneliness often overlooks the marital dyad, focusing instead on individual spouses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate predictors of loneliness within the marital dyad in older Indian adults.
- To examine the influence of individual and partner factors on loneliness in married couples.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cross-sectional data from 398 married Indian couples (mean age 54.8 years) from the 2010 Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI).
- Application of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to assess the effects of cognitive function, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, employment, and social contact on loneliness.
Main Results:
- Depressive symptoms were positively associated with an individual's own loneliness and their partner's loneliness (actor and partner effects).
- Having an employed partner was linked to reduced loneliness.
- No significant gender differences were observed in the patterns of these associations.
Conclusions:
- Despite generally low levels of depression and loneliness in the sample, depression remained a significant predictor of loneliness for both individuals and their partners.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended to explore the role of employment in loneliness, considering cultural gender roles.
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