‘The care circle consists of me.’ Loneliness and social isolation for older male spousal care-givers. A qualitative study

Anne Fee,Assumpta Ryan,Sonja Mcilfatrick

doi:10.1017/s0144686x21000854

Abstract

AbstractWhilst loneliness and social isolation amongst older care-givers are becoming increasingly recognised, little is known about how these concepts impact on specific sub-groups of care-givers, such as older males. In the current study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the experiences of loneliness and social isolation amongst older spousal male care-givers. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 24 participants, caring for a spouse/partner with a long-term chronic condition. After thematic analysis of the data, three themes were identified: dwindling social interactions, loneliness in the spousal relationship, and living with loneliness and social isolation. Study findings suggest that opportunities for social interactions gradually ‘dwindled’ due to a reluctance by older male care-givers to leave their spouse/partner at home alone, to accept offers of help or respite, or to attend social events without their spouse/partner. Consequently, social isolation increased. Feelings of physical and emotional loneliness were evident, and the loss of spousal companionship (such as loss of conversation and shared interests) increased loneliness. Individualised coping strategies were adopted including focusing on moments of positivity, talking to others and using prescribed medication. Findings provide insight into the experience of loneliness and social isolation for many older male spousal care-givers. This may facilitate a better understanding of older male care-givers’ support needs in addressing loneliness and social isolation, and should help to inform the development of targeted support services for this population.

Highlights

Loneliness and social isolation are growing international public health concerns and have been recognised in research with older people as a risk factor for poorer physical and mental health and mortality (Steptoe et al, 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Valtorta et al, 2016; Courtin and Knapp, 2017; Gale et al, 2017)
Three over-arching themes were identified from analysis of the data: (1) dwindling social interactions; (2) loneliness in the spousal relationship; and (3) living with loneliness and social isolation
Findings in the current study revealed strategies employed by participants to help mitigate feelings of loneliness, there was no obvious use of formal interventions to combat loneliness or social isolation

Summary

Introduction

Loneliness and social isolation are growing international public health concerns and have been recognised in research with older people as a risk factor for poorer physical and mental health and mortality (Steptoe et al, 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015; Valtorta et al, 2016; Courtin and Knapp, 2017; Gale et al, 2017). A survey of late-life loneliness across 11 European countries revealed a level of ‘quite severe loneliness’ in 30–55 per cent of older people in eastern Europe (Hansen and Slagsvold, 2016)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion