Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Loneliness can be detrimental to health. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of loneliness as well as its risk factors in older adults in South Africa.MATERIALS & METHODS: This cross-sectional population based study investigated factors associated with loneliness in a nationally representative sample (n=3624) of older South Africans who took part in the “Study of Global Ageing and Adults Health (SAGE)” wave 1 in 2008. The outcome variable was self-reported prevalence of loneliness and the exposure variables were socio-demographic characteristics and health variables.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of self-reported loneliness was 9.9%. Prevalence of loneliness was 10.2% for females and 9.5% for males, lowest among those married (7.5%), and highest among the 70+ years olds (12.5%). Individuals with highest level of education had the lowest prevalence of loneliness (5.9%). Indians or Asians were significantly more likely to experience loneliness than other population groups (Adjusted Odds Ratio=AOR: 3.20; 95% Confidence Interval=CI: 1.31, 7.80). Married or cohabiting individuals were significantly less likely to experience loneliness than unmarried or non-cohabiting ones, respectively (AOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.81). In multivariable logistic regression, individuals with good subjective health were less likely to experience loneliness than those with poor health (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.73). Similarly, individuals with good cognitive functioning were significantly less likely to experience loneliness than those with poor cognitive functioning (AOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97).CONCLUSION: The study found that the prevalence of loneliness among older adults in South Africa is significant. Preventative interventions that address the identified factors, including poor health status and low cognitive functioning, associated with loneliness need to be developed.
Highlights
Loneliness is a common phenomenon associated with old age due to changes in the quality and quantity of social relationships (Luanaigh & Lawlor, 2008; Qualter et al, 2015)
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional population based study investigated factors associated with loneliness in a nationally representative sample (n=3624) of older South Africans who took part in the “Study of Global Ageing and Adults Health (SAGE)” wave 1 in 2008
Married or cohabiting individuals were significantly less likely to experience loneliness than unmarried or non-cohabiting ones, respectively (AOR: 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.81)
Summary
Loneliness is a common phenomenon associated with old age due to changes in the quality and quantity of social relationships (Luanaigh & Lawlor, 2008; Qualter et al, 2015). Loneliness may have adverse mental and physical health outcomes such as hypertension, sleep problems, lower immunity and poorer cognition functioning (Luanaigh & Lawlor, 2008; Boss, Kang & Branson, 2015). It is important to determine factors associated with loneliness among elderly people. Cohen-Mansfield, Hazan, Lerman and Shalom (2016, p.557) found following factors to be associated with loneliness: “female gender, non-married status, older age, poor income, lower educational level, living alone, low quality of social relationships, poor self-reported health, gjhs.ccsenet.org It is important to determine factors associated with loneliness among elderly people. Cohen-Mansfield, Hazan, Lerman and Shalom (2016, p.557) found following factors to be associated with loneliness: “female gender, non-married status, older age, poor income, lower educational level, living alone, low quality of social relationships, poor self-reported health, gjhs.ccsenet.org
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