Exploring loneliness in Indian married adults: the impact of age and marital quality

Abstract

Purpose The study aims explore the prevalence of lonliness among married adults in India along with examining its association with marital quality and age. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,084 married adults across four age-groups were included in the sample of the study. Semi-structured questionnaire for demographic details with validated psychometric instruments like Marital Quality Scale (MQS) (Shah, 1995) and UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3) (Russell, 1996) were used to collect the data. The data was analysed using multiple regression, cross-tabulation, chi-square(χ²) and Pearson correlation. Findings The study found that 46.4 % of the sample experienced moderately high level of loneliness. The participants in the age group of 31–40 years felt the maximum loneliness. 56.18 % participants of the sample experienced a severely affected marital quality. Strong and significant correlation was observed between marital quality and loneliness (r = 0.526). Negligible correlation was observed between age with loneliness (p > 0.05). Practical implications The study suggests the urgent need for interventions to enhance marital quality and should focus more on interpersonal factors such as communication style, conflict resolution, support from the spouse, increasing empathy, sexual satisfaction and intimacy rather than focusing only on demographic variables. Social implications The study will facilitate a better understanding of the pressing need to improve marital quality of Indian adults. Emphasizing on improving communication and intimacy in the marriage will improve overall well-being thereby also reducing loneliness. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is a first of its kind to explore the interrelationship between marital quality and loneliness among such a large sample in India. It also adds to the literature in understanding the dynamics of marital relationship.