Prevalence of Loneliness in Older Adults in Rural Population and Its Association with Depression and Caregiver Abuse

Loneliness in the elderly is of public health importance as it is a risk factor for adverse consequences. There is lack of data on loneliness among the elderly population of India, especially those residing in a rural community.

To estimate loneliness and its association with depression and caregiver abuse.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural health clinic in North India. 125 elderly persons were evaluated on the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Geriatric Depression Rating Scale‑30 (GDS), and Caregiver Abuse Screening (CASE) scale.

67.6 years was the mean age of the study's subjects, with a mean number of years of education of 2.9. Most were female, married, and from lower socioeconomic status and belonged to a non-nuclear family. The prevalence of loneliness was 66.4%. Regarding specific features, subjects reported a lack of companionship (64.8%), being left out in life (45.2%), and being isolated from others (52.8%). The severity of depression, somatization, psychological and physical abuse, neglect abuse, and caregiver abuse had a significant positive association with loneliness. Those with a presence of loneliness scored higher on GDS and CASE than those without. Those who were single at the time of the study reported significantly more loneliness than married ones. Those from nuclear families and middle socioeconomic status reported a significantly higher level of loneliness.

Loneliness among the elderly rural population is significantly high. The severity of loneliness is associated with higher severity of depression, somatization, and caregiver abuse.