La soledad de las personas mayores en España y Suecia: contexto y cultura / Loneliness among the Elderly in Spain and Sweden: context and Culture

Introducción. Históricamente, las personas mayores españolas y de países del sur de Europa manifiestan índices de soledad percibida muy superiores a los de los países nórdicos. Estudios desde los años 70 hasta ahora confirman esta paradoja. Este estudio analiza la soledad como producto de expectativas culturales y contextuales comparando datos de España y Suecia. Material y método. Se revisarán todas las encuestas en España y Suecia sobre soledad de las personas mayores y en especial, la Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida de 2006 para España y la Encuesta Nacional de 2002–03 para Suecia. Resultados. En promedio, un 24% de los mayores en España y un 10% de los mayores en Suecia expresan soledad (encuestas 2006 y 2002–03, respectivamente). La estructura del hogar y la salud percibida son efectos determinantes de la soledad en ambos países, aunque los niveles difieren. Los mayores con buena salud que viven solos son 5 veces más propensos a sentirse solos en España (45%) que en Suecia (9%) y 2–3 veces más probable cuando viven solos y con mala salud (82–32%). Y para los mayores que conviven con su pareja sin otros y con buena salud es igual de infrecuente en España y en Suecia que experimenten soledad (4–5%) y si surge, parece que tiene que ver con el hecho de cuidar al compañero o con problemas en la relación. Conclusiones. Los resultados destacan los aspectos contextuales (la salud y la estructura del hogar) y las expectativas culturales para entender la soledad manifestada por los mayores(AU)

Objectives. Older people in Spain and other Southern European countries are reported to feel lonelier than the older people in the North of Europe. Data from the 1970s and onwards consistently show this. The present study explores feelings of loneliness as a product of both cultural and situational determining factors, by comparing survey data for Spain and Sweden. Material and method. Data derived from several national surveys of the older people in Spain and Sweden with questions about loneliness. For closer analysis we use the Spanish 2006 Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida (Living conditions Questionnaire), and the Swedish 2002–2003 Survey of Living Conditions. Results. On average, 24% of older people in Spain and 10% of elderly Swedish people expressed sentiments of loneliness in the surveys used here (2006 and 2002-03 respectively). Living arrangements and perceived health are related with factors of loneliness in both countries, although levels differ. For example, people in good health who live alone are five times more likely to feel lonely in Spain (45%) than in Sweden (9%) and two-three times more likely when living alone in poor health (82% and 32% respectively). People in good health who live with their spouse/partner only are equally unlikely in both Spain and Sweden to express loneliness (4–5%). It often seems — when it occurs — to be due to caring for a spouse/partner, or problems in the relationship. Conclusions. Results highlight the importance of contextual features — health and living arrangements — and cultural expectations in interpreting reported loneliness(AU)

[Loneliness among the elderly in Spain and Sweden: context and culture]. / La soledad de las personas mayores en España y Suecia: contexto y cultura.

OBJECTIVES: Older people in Spain and other Southern European countries are reported to feel lonelier than the older people in the North of Europe. Data from the 1970s and onwards consistently show this. The present study explores feelings of loneliness as a product of both cultural and situational determining factors, by comparing survey data for Spain and Sweden. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data derived from several national surveys of the older people in Spain and Sweden with questions about loneliness. For closer analysis we use the Spanish 2006 Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida (Living conditions Questionnaire), and the Swedish 2002-2003 Survey of Living Conditions. RESULTS: On average, 24% of older people in Spain and 10% of elderly Swedish people expressed sentiments of loneliness in the surveys used here (2006 and 2002-03 respectively). Living arrangements and perceived health are related with factors of loneliness in both countries, although levels differ. For example, people in good health who live alone are five times more likely to feel lonely in Spain (45%) than in Sweden (9%) and two-three times more likely when living alone in poor health (82% and 32% respectively). People in good health who live with their spouse/partner only are equally unlikely in both Spain and Sweden to express loneliness (4-5%). It often seems--when it occurs--to be due to caring for a spouse/partner, or problems in the relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of contextual features--health and living arrangements--and cultural expectations in interpreting reported loneliness.