Describing reasons for loneliness among older people in Nigeria

Abstract

The rural-urban migration of family members often leads to a higher probability of older people living alone, and minimizes family/social networks, which increases old age loneliness. In this study, we describe the existence of loneliness among older adults in Nigeria and its factors, aiming to inform the development of interventions for reducing old age loneliness. We adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach to the qualitative design, purposefully selecting and conducting face-to-face interviews with 12 older adults aged 58-88. We analyzed the data using a Thematic Analysis. Results of the analysis revealed three major themes: perception and existence of loneliness, factors for loneliness, and context-dependent coping strategies. We described results based on the theory of interactionist perspectives of loneliness and drew policy implications from this. Participants drew interesting associations between loneliness, decreasing family/social networks, recent family ties structures, disability-associated ageing, and lack of social programs, and suggested context-dependent coping strategies to reduce loneliness.

Prevalence of loneliness and association with depressive and anxiety symptoms among retirees in Northcentral Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

“…However, in the present study, only the scores for the depression (DASS 21-D) and anxiety (DASS 21-A) subscales were calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items of each sub-case then multiplied by two, following the DASS Scale manual [42]. The DASS 21-D classifies the scores as normal (0-7), mild (8-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and extremely severe (20 and above) while the DASS 21-A classifies scores as normal (0-9), mild (10-13), moderate (14-20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) and extremely severe (≥ 28) [43]. Higher scores indicated a higher level of severity in each dimension.…”

“…Several reasons have been identified for post-retirement challenges experienced by the elderly in Nigeria. These include the rural-urban migration of family members that often leads to a higher likelihood of loneliness in older people, minimizes family or social networks [10], and the breaking down of traditional family support systems for the elderly [11]. Since retirement is a risk factor for loneliness in older adults [4], many Nigerian retirees may be experiencing high levels of loneliness.…”

Physical activity and loneliness among adults aged 50 years or older in six low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…LMICs is important given (a) different levels of knowledge regarding the benefits of physical activity; (b) different sociocultural attitudes towards physical activity (eg, being active as a sign of poverty); (c) differences in availability and accessibility of community and care facilities for older people, and (d) different environmental factors (eg, safety, climate, built environment) in LMICs compared with highincome countries. [20][21][22] Moreover, due to the fact that working-age people often relocate to urban centers in many LMICs to seek employment, social support networks for older people in rural areas are weakening at a rapid pace. 22 Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the crosssectional associations between loneliness and not meeting the international recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-tovigorous intensity physical activity in middle-aged and older people in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa), which comprise a large proportion of the world population, and are representative of diverse geographical locations and socioeconomic status.…”

“…[20][21][22] Moreover, due to the fact that working-age people often relocate to urban centers in many LMICs to seek employment, social support networks for older people in rural areas are weakening at a rapid pace. 22 Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the crosssectional associations between loneliness and not meeting the international recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-tovigorous intensity physical activity in middle-aged and older people in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa), which comprise a large proportion of the world population, and are representative of diverse geographical locations and socioeconomic status. It was hypothesized that not meeting the international physical activity recommendation would be positively related to loneliness.…”

“…Exploring associations between loneliness and physical inactivity in LMICs is important given (a) different levels of knowledge regarding the benefits of physical activity; (b) different sociocultural attitudes towards physical activity (eg, being active as a sign of poverty); (c) differences in availability and accessibility of community and care facilities for older people, and (d) different environmental factors (eg, safety, climate, built environment) in LMICs compared with high‐income countries . Moreover, due to the fact that working‐age people often relocate to urban centers in many LMICs to seek employment, social support networks for older people in rural areas are weakening at a rapid pace …”