Older people’s dialogue about loneliness and social support: a cross-cultural qualitative study conducted in Spain and South Africa (Diálogo entre las personas mayores sobre la soledad y el apoyo social: un estudio cualitativo transcultural en España y Sudáfrica)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and gain insight from the dialogue and subjective perception of older people about loneliness and social support using a cross-cultural approach. A total of six focus groups with 43 community-dwelling older adults were conducted in two different cultural contexts: the Spanish and the South African. Data were analysed around two key topics -loneliness and social support -using methods of thematic analysis. Findings around the topic of loneliness showed that participants from both countries agreed that loneliness was a subjective feeling and a negative experience. Besides, solitude emerged in the focus groups discussions as a pleasant and desired experience. As for social support, the lack of it was seen as the most frequent risk factor for loneliness. Differences among both countries were found on the key sources of social support. Spanish participants identified the family as the major source of social support, while among South African participants the community was presented as a main source of social support. We concluded that considering these cultural aspects and social support perceptions when developing programmes and strategies aimed at alleviating loneliness may lead to an increase in the effectiveness of these kinds of interventions, and thus to more positive outcomes. RESUMENEl objetivo de este estudio es explorar y profundizar nuestros conocimientos a partir del diálogo y las percepciones subjetivas de adultos mayores sobre la soledad y el apoyo social desde una perspectiva transcultural. Se organizaron un total de seis grupos focales en centros comunitarios con 43 personas mayores, en dos contextos culturales distintos: el español y el sudafricano. Se analizaron datos sobre dos áreas temáticas clave, la soledad y el apoyo social, aplicando métodos de análisis temático. Los resultados en torno a la soledad revelaron el acuerdo de las participantes de ambos países sobre la idea de la soledad como un sentimiento ARTICLE HISTORY

The Association Between Community Dialogue and Loneliness in Rural Japanese Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This result can show different perspectives regarding cause-and-effect models [ 25 ]. When people feel lonely, they see others frequently [ 26 ]. Because of frequent meetings and comparing with others, people may feel lonely when realizing their differences [ 27 ].…”

“…Because of frequent meetings and comparing with others, people may feel lonely when realizing their differences [ 27 ]. This relationship underscores the importance of fostering the establishment of a diverse understanding of loneliness in community dialogue regarding social connections to mitigate feelings of loneliness and promote a sense of belonging in this vulnerable population [ 26 , 27 ]. An inappropriate increase in community dialogue can increase loneliness among some people in communities.…”

Social Engagement and Psychological Distress in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Mediating Role of Loneliness

“…10 Recently, the role of various contributing variables has been assessed which have negative impact on their well-being. Among them, lack of social contacts, 11 loss of autonomy, 12 chronic illnesses, weakening of social ties, 5 loneliness, 13 rejection from children 9 and being institutionalized 8 are of paramount importance.…”