Lost and unfulfilled relationships behind emotional loneliness in old age

Abstract

Using a qualitative approach, this article examines how the experiences of emotional loneliness are embedded in the everyday lives and relationships of older adults. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted in  with older people who reported feeling lonely, often or all the time, during a cohort study in southern Finland. The research reveals the multifaceted nature of loneliness and its causes. Behind emotional loneliness, we identified lost and unfulfilled relationships, involving the loss or lack of a partner, the absence of a meaningful friendship, complex parenthood and troubling childhood experiences. Most of the interviewees have faced loneliness that only began in old age, but for some, loneliness has been present for nearly a lifetime.

Loneliness, social dislocation and invisibility experienced by older men who are single or living alone: accounting for differences across sexual identity and social context

“…being in foster care or experiencing extended periods of hospitalisation due to chronic illness. This resonates with other qualitative explorations of how traumatic or distressing life-events in childhood can impact on older people's capabilities in later life (Tiilikainen and Seppänen, 2017); in the case of our findings, impacting on men's social capabilities in forming new social bonds and friendships.…”

“…Loneliness is also understood to be multi-dimensional, encompassing emotional, social and existential forms. Emotional loneliness is closely aligned with the loss of meaningful relationships (such as being widowed or separated from partners) and a desire for fulfilling relationships with others (Weiss, 1973;Tiilikainen and Seppänen, 2017). Social loneliness is the perceived absence of engagement with social groups and dissatisfaction with one's social network (Weiss, 1973;De Jong Gierveld and Tilburg, 2006).…”

“You have got to get off your backside; otherwise, you’ll never get out”: older male carers’ experiences of loneliness and social isolation

“…Loneliness can have both emotional and social dimensions. Emotional loneliness is more closely aligned with the loss of meaningful relationships (such as being widowed or separated from partners) and a desire for fulfilling relationships with others (Weiss, 1973;Tiilikainen and Seppanen, 2017). In contrast, social loneliness refers to the perceived absence of engagement with social groups and dissatisfaction with one's social network (Weiss, 1973;De Jong Gierveld and Van Tilburg, 2006).…”

Experiences of Loneliness Associated with Being an Informal Caregiver: A Qualitative Investigation

“…In response to this, more recent research endeavors employing qualitative methods have been directed to an examination of the ways people experience and make sense of loneliness (Dahlberg, 2007 ). Given the emphasis on loneliness in older age , most qualitative (or mixed-method) research has been conducted with older people (e.g., Graneheim and Lundman, 2010 ; Stanley et al, 2010 ; Hauge and Kirkevold, 2012 ; Tiilikainen and Seppänen, 2016 ). However, loneliness has been explored in other populations, such as people with mental health problems (e.g., Lindgren et al, 2014 ), those with intellectual disabilities (e.g., McVilly et al, 2006 ), school-aged children (e.g., Berguno et al, 2004 ), adolescents (e.g., Ruiz-Casares, 2012 ), and students (e.g., Sawir et al, 2008 ).…”