Nurse Faculty Scholars - Loneliness

Loneliness and Quality of Life in Chronically Ill Rural Older Adults

kdeming — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:24:17 +0000

Published Date:

Tue, 2013-10-01 (All day)

Background: Loneliness is a contributing factor to various health problems in older adults, including complex chronic illness, functional decline, and increased risk of mortality.

Loneliness, Depression, Social Support, and Quality of Life in Older Chronically Ill Appalachians

kdeming — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:26:08 +0000

Published Date:

Mon, 2011-12-05 (All day)

This study's purpose was to describe loneliness and to examine the relationships between loneliness, depression, social support, and QOL in chronically ill, older Appalachians.

This study's purpose was to describe loneliness and to examine the relationships between loneliness, depression, social support, and QOL in chronically ill, older Appalachians. In-person interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 60 older, chronically ill, community-dwelling, and rural adults. Those with dementia or active grief were excluded.

Sociodemographic and Health-Related Risks for Loneliness and Outcome Differences by Loneliness Status in a Sample of U.S. Older Adults

nfs — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:12:32 +0000

Published Date:

Thu, 2010-04-01 (All day)

This study assesses sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with loneliness and outcome differences between loneliness groups using a sample of 13,812 older adults from the U.S Health and Retirement Study. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were followed by logistic regression to evaluate risks and analysis of covariance testing to determine outcome differences. Overall, prevalence of loneliness was 16.9%. Nonmarried status, poorer self-report of health, lower educational level, functional impairment, increasing number of chronic illnesses, younger age, lower income, and less people living in the household were all associated with loneliness. The chronically lonely group reported less exercise, more tobacco use, less alcohol use, a greater number of chronic illnesses, higher depression scores, and greater average number of nursing home stays. Future research evaluating the effectiveness of both prevention and treatment interventions for loneliness in older adults would provide empirical data to further guide gerontological nursing practice.

Predictors of Loneliness in U.S. Adults Over Age Sixty-Five

nfs — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:08:52 +0000

Published Date:

Thu, 2009-10-01 (All day)

The purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic and health-related risks for loneliness among older adults using Health and Retirement Study Data. Overall prevalence of loneliness was 19.3%. Marital status, self-report of health, number of chronic illnesses, gross motor impairment, fine motor impairment, and living alone were predictors of loneliness. Age, female gender, use of home care, and frequency of healthcare visits were not predictive. Loneliness is a prevalent problem for older adults in the United States with its own health-related risks. Future research of interventions targeting identified risks would enhance the evidence base for nursing and the problem of loneliness.