Loneliness and Depression among Older People Living in a Community of Nepal

Abstract

Background: Loneliness and depression are the noteworthy mental health issues which are prevalent among older people but only a few studies have addressed this aspect especially in developing countries. So, this study is an attempt to shed light to this aspect of older adult’s life, in order to assess the level of loneliness and depression, to identify associated factors,and to find out the correlation between loneliness and depression.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 124 older peopleof age ?60 years living in a community using purposive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire, University of California, Los Angeles scale version 3 loneliness scale, and geriatric depression scale short form (GDS-15) were used to collect data. Mean, Standard deviation, frequency, percentage, chi-square test, and Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze data. Results: Older people felt loneliness either at a moderate level (38.7%) or at a severe level (16.9%). While people with (49.2%) and without depression (50.80%) were in nearly equal proportion. Age,education level, marital status,living arrangement, childlessness, perceived health status, sleep quality, and sleeping hour, and perceived economic satisfaction showed statistically significant association with both dependent variables.While the presence of disease condition was associated with the level of loneliness, the level of depression showed significant statistical association with perceived stress. Further, loneliness and depression seemed to be positively correlated.Conclusions: Older peopleexperiencing loneliness and depression is quite noteworthyand emphasis should be given towards implementation of research approaches to unleash this aspect of older people.Keywords: Community; depression; loneliness; Nepal; older people.

The relationship between perceived loneliness and depression in the elderly and influencing factors

“…This relationship is stronger because the elderly people who came to the family health centers are more alone in their social life and the fact that the elderly people who were hospitalized had hospital attendants together with them caused them to feel less lonely. In the studies conducted, a positive relationship was found between loneliness and depression 4,23,24 . It is stated that among the risk factors in the development of depression in elderly individuals, the feeling of loneliness felt with the decrease in social relations is one of the most important factors 19 …”

“…In a study examining the depression level of individuals aged 60 and over who were receiving inpatient treatment in the hospital, 69.1% of the individuals were found to score above the threshold value 3 . Female gender, chronic diseases, cognitive and functional impairment, personality traits, stressful life events, history of depression, sensory losses, social losses, insufficient activity, increased dependency level, insufficient support and loneliness are among the preparatory factors for depression 4‐7 …”

“…In the old age, causes such as loss of spouse, retirement, fear of death cause the elderly to feel sad and get calm, become introverted due to emotional state changes, and also a decrease in their problem solving and adaptability abilities 11 . Therefore, loneliness in the old age when social losses are given can seriously activate depressive symptoms 4,12 . Depression and loneliness can become a vicious circle where hopelessness caused by long‐term loneliness causes depression and the flexibility required to reduce loneliness in case of depressive emotion decreases even more 13 .…”

“…3 Female gender, chronic diseases, cognitive and functional impairment, personality traits, stressful life events, history of depression, sensory losses, social losses, insufficient activity, increased dependency level, insufficient support and loneliness are among the preparatory factors for depression. [4][5][6][7] In the old age when many losses are experienced, loneliness feeling negatively affects the physical and mental health of individuals and increases the risk of depression. 8 Loneliness is the perceived social deprivation experience associated with accelerated functional decline and increased mortality in older adults.…”

“…11 Therefore, loneliness in the old age when social losses are given can seriously activate depressive symptoms. 4,12 Depression and loneliness can become a vicious circle where hopelessness caused by long-term loneliness causes depression and the flexibility required to reduce loneliness in case of depressive emotion decreases even more. 13 In a study conducted, depression scores of elderly individuals with high loneliness level were found to be significantly high.…”