Social, emotional and existential loneliness among nursing home residents with somatic problems

Abstract

Relatively little is known about loneliness in nursing homes. The aim of this study is to gain insight in the prevalence of social, emotional and existential loneliness among nursing home residents and in the relationship between loneliness and participation in activities and having contacts. Data is collected among nursing home residents in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands (N=101; age range = 42 to 103 years; median = 83 years; 71% female). Social, emotional and existential loneliness, personal characteristics and participation in activities and having contacts are measured. Prevalence of loneliness is calculated. Regression analyses are performed to study the relationship between loneliness and personal characteristics, participation in activities and having contacts. The majority of respondents experiences social, emotional and/or existential loneliness. A longer duration of stay in the nursing home and participating in exercise activities are related to a lower extent of social loneliness but not emotional or existential loneliness. Organised activities typically aim at social loneliness, but not emotional and existential loneliness, even though these forms of loneliness occur often in nursing homes.