Levels of Loneliness and Family Structure among Geriatrics

Abstract

Loneliness is a pressing social issue for geriatrics globally. The purpose of present study is to explore the effect of family structure on level of loneliness in geriatrics. For this purpose, researcher formulated the three hypotheses: 1) Geriatric adults residing within the joint family system feel less loneliness as compare to those residing in nuclear family system 2) Nuclear family system predicts more loneliness in elderly people contrary to joint family system 3) There is likely more loneliness in females in both family systems rather than males. Cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted by using the stratified random probability sampling technique. Data were collected from (N=246) geriatrics living in nuclear and joint families of district Haripur. Researcher measured the loneliness by using the translated version of UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). The data was analyzed by using the SPSS XXIII. Study findings supported the hypothesis and it was concluded that geriatric adults residing within the joint family system feel less loneliness level as compare to those living in nuclear family system. Further, it highlights that the role of nuclear family system is higher in increasing the level of loneliness and level of loneliness is high in females as compare to males. Research findings have great implications for improving the conditions of older adults in nuclear family structure.