Understanding loneliness in the lived experiences of Iranian elders

Abstract

Elderly people are especially vulnerable to loneliness. Loneliness as an important phenomenon is correlated with a variety of emotional, physical and health-related complications. However, a few studies have investigated the experience of loneliness from the perspectives of elderly people living in communities. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian elders of loneliness. A qualitative study using phenomenological approach was employed with four men and nine women living in their own houses. In-depth interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using hermeneutic methods. The emerged themes were 'an aversive emotional state', 'isolated from intimate relationships', 'being deprived from social and external support systems' and 'being abused and neglected'. Our study findings support the view that the experience of loneliness creates an aversive emotional state which is associated with negative and painful feelings. In addition, it was revealed that lack of access to intimate relationships and supportive systems as well as the experience of being abused and neglected were major factors contributing to the feelings of loneliness among Iranian elders. In terms of recommendation for practice, worldwide nurses are expected to be knowledgeable about the factors which increase feelings of loneliness. Alternatively, they should develop coping mechanisms among elders with the cooperation of their family members; also, attract community attention in order to improve social services in both quality and quantity.

Prevalence of elder abuse in Iran: a systematic review and meta analysis

“…Other aspects of the elderly maltreatment also vary in various studies with highly extensive prevalence rates. The prevalence of physical abuse ranges from 2.8% [4] to 35.9% [9], financial malpractice is 5.8% [23] to 40% [7], and psychological misconduct is 12.4% [10] to 59.8% [11]. The prevalence rate of neglecting is between 4.5% [9] and 68% [7] and rejection rate is between 3.7% [20] up to 23% [9].…”

The health status of the elderly population of Iran in 2012

“…Qualitative studies that have analyzed the reasons of the sedentary lifestyle of the elderly of Iran conclude that the most important reason for this lifestyle and improper use of free time is inadequate financial resources (Heravi-Karimooi, Anoosheh, Foroughan, Sheykhi, & Hajizadeh, 2010). Given the rapidly increasing aging population of Iran, it is important that health providers and policy makers create social programs that allow these vulnerable group free accesses to supportive environments that promote active participation of them in a productive way.…”

Conceptual relations between loneliness and culture

“…Both are subjectively experienced, yet personal loneliness is about missing a desired affectively close relationship(s), whereas social loneliness is about a perceived lack of a supportive social network. A hermeneutic analysis of the experiences of loneliness among Iranian elders revealed similar conceptual properties, being an aversive emotional state that is negatively evaluated; isolation from intimate relationships; deprivation from social and external support systems; and perceived abuse and neglect [31 ].…”