The relationship between loneliness, death anxiety, and social networks in community-dwelling older adults

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between loneliness, death anxiety, and social networks in community-dwelling older adults. A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 250 participants aged ≥65 years (mean age: 70.04 ± 5.65) between January and March 2024. Data were collected using the Loneliness Scale for Older Adults, Death Anxiety Scale, and Lubben Social Network Scale. A positive and moderate relationship was found between loneliness and death anxiety (r = 0.406, p < .001), and a negative and moderate relationship was found between loneliness and social network (r = -0.410, p < .001). While there was no significant relationship between death anxiety and social network scores, a negative and low-level relationship was found between the social network of friends and the sub-dimension scores of thinking about death and witnessing (p < .05). These results highlight that understanding loneliness, death anxiety, and social networks in older adults is important for improving their quality of life and emotional well-being. Strengthening older adults' social ties and developing educational and intervention programs may help reduce loneliness and alleviate death anxiety.