Cross-National Differences in Older Adult Loneliness

Abstract

Loneliness concerns the subjective evaluation that the number of relationships is smaller than the individual considers desirable or that the intimacy that the individual wishes for has not been realized. The aim of this study was to assess variations in levels of late-life loneliness and its determinants across Europe. Data came from the SHARE surveys, Wave 2 (Borsch-Supan et al., 2008), encompassing adults aged 50 years and over in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland (N = 12,248). Loneliness was measured by a single item derived from the CES-D (depression) scale. Using logistic models, the present authors tested several types of explanations for country differences: differences in demographic characteristics, wealth and health, and social networks. Older adults in the southern and central European countries were generally lonelier than their peers in the northern and western European countries. In the southern and central European countries, loneliness was largely attributable to not being married, economic deprivation, and poor health. Frequent contacts with parents and adult children, social participation, and providing support to family members were important in preventing and alleviating loneliness in almost all countries. To combat loneliness among older adults, the findings suggest both (a) generic approaches aimed at improving social embeddedness and (b) country-tailored approaches aimed at improving health and wealth.

Loneliness in old age in Eastern and Western European societies: theoretical perspectives

“…Although filial norms are higher in Eastern European countries as compared to Western European countries, the incidence of loneliness among the population aged 60 and above is higher in (most) Eastern than in (most) Western European countries. Compare the answers on a direct question about loneliness: 6.3 % of the Danish respondents proved to be lonely, 8.3 % of the Netherlands' respondents, 8.5 % of the German respondents, 13.4 % of the Belgian respondents and 17.8 % of the French respondents, as compared to 15.6 % of the Czech, and 20.0 % of the Polish respondents (Fokkema et al 2012).…”

The relationship between wealth and loneliness among older people across Europe: Is social participation protective?

“…Loneliness is influenced by a myriad of factors including age, marital status, social networks and participation, functional limitations and mental health (Aartsen and Jylha, 2011;Bosma et al, 2015;Cacioppo et al, 2010;Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). Loneliness affects individuals of any age (Yang and Victor, 2011), but older people are particularly susceptible as a result of losing close friends and relatives, as well as the increased prevalence of limiting health conditions.…”

“…Loneliness affects individuals of any age (Yang and Victor, 2011), but older people are particularly susceptible as a result of losing close friends and relatives, as well as the increased prevalence of limiting health conditions. Gender differences in loneliness exist; older women frequently report higher levels of loneliness compared to men (Fokkema et al, 2012;Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015). These differences are largely explained by health status, living arrangements and socioeconomic position (Hansen and Slagsvold, 2015).…”

El sentimiento de soledad en la vejez

“…En otros lugares, sin embargo, viene inspirando numerosas investigaciones durante las últimas décadas. Se da la circunstancia de que autores extranjeros han medido la prevalencia de este problema social en España, generalmente por encuesta, comparándola con la registrada en otros países: todos ellos han concluido que resulta más elevada aquí que en cualquier sociedad del centro o norte de Europa (Fokkema, de Jong Gierveld y Dykstra 2012;Yang y Victor 2011;Sundström et al 2009), pero sus trabajos han sido publicados en revistas internacionales y no han tenido demasiada repercusión en la sociología española. El nuestro tiene como objetivo paliar este déficit de conocimiento: indaga acerca del sentimiento de soledad en España, particularmente en la vejez, en el marco de la viudedad y los hogares unipersonales.…”