Factors Reducing Loneliness of Old People Living Alone / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

We made researches into various factors underling the loneliness of the elderly, based on interviews conducted in july 1995 with old people living alone in Hiroshima City. Loneliness was assessed by LSO, and as related factors, such items as period of living alone, self-assessment on solitude, lifestyle, self-rated health status, competence for daily work, social support network, morale, self-esteem, depression, and subjective symptoms of stress were examined.<BR>We made multiregression analysis using loneliness as a dependent variable and other factors as independent varibles. The results were as followed.<BR>The loneliness of old people living alone was significantly correlated with self-esteem and instrumental support.