Predictors of Loneliness among Older Adults in South-Eastern Nigeria : Implications for Social Workers

Abstract

Old-age loneliness is a crucial public health issue with mortality consequences as well as other negative health conditions and lifestyles including depression, substance abuse, sedentary lifestyles, and suicide ideation. This study investigated the predictors of loneliness among older adults in Nigeria’s southeast in order to articulate some interventions that will plummet the issue. A structured questionnaire (N = 516), in-depth interviews (N = 8), and focus group discussion (N = 16) were used to collect data from respondents aged 60 years or older. The quantitative data sets were subjected to chi-square and binary regression analysis, while a thematic analysis was adopted for the qualitative data. The study’s findings show that some demographic factors such as the number of children (p < .002), health status (p < .023), and social support (p < .014), among others, were statistically significant in predicting loneliness among older adults. The study, therefore, recommends the consideration of community-based services to enable elderly adults to buffer the experience of loneliness. Social workers should also influence the various organs responsible for social policies to formulate and promote policies that address the well-being of older adults.

Understanding Social and Emotional Loneliness among Black Older Adults: A Scoping Review

“… Roos et al (2019) did not provide the qualitative study design but reported that a critical-realist ontology underpins their study. The two mixed-method studies did not state their specific design ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Nzabona et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Among the 21 quantitative and mixed-method studies, 12 (57%) studies used original or modified UCLA in assessing loneliness ( Abedini et al, 2020 ; Cacioppo et al, 2017 ; Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Gonyea et al, 2018 ; Hawkley & Kocherginsky, 2018 ; Igbokwe et al, 2020 ; Mannes et al, 2016 ; Ntozini & Abdullahi, 2021 ; Ojagbemi & Gureje, 2019 ; Olawa et al, 2019 ; Olawa & Idemudia, 2020 ; Taylor & Nguyen, 2020 ). The remaining eight studies used a modified version of the de Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale ( Han et al, 2017 ), a 20-point index measuring social contact ( Creecy et al, 1983 ), the Social Isolation component of a Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System ( Yoo-Jeong et al, 2020 ), single-item question, for example, “did you feel lonely for much of the day yesterday or in the past seven days?” ( Choi et al, 2021 ; Phaswana-Mafuya & Peltzer, 2017 ; Taylor et al, 2018 ; Victor et al, 2012 ), or two-item questions, for example, “are there times when you have a feeling of loneliness and what do you think needs to be done to reduce this loneliness?” ( Nzabona et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Findings from five studies were mapped to Opportunity for Nurturance, and these concepts included the family ( Hawkley & Kocherginsky, 2018 ; Olawa & Idemudia, 2020 ) and social support ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Ojembe & Kalu, 2018 ); the number of children ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Victor et al, 2021 ), and, living arrangements ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Hawkley & Kocherginsky, 2018 ; Ojembe & Kalu, 2018 ). Family support ( Hawkley & Kocherginsky, 2018 ; Olawa & Idemudia, 2020 ) (only in women), social support ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ), reduced friendship strain (how often do you feel friends are demanding and critical of them— Hawkley and Kocherginsky (2018) , and living with people ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ), were associated with a lower risk of loneliness. A qualitative study reported that living alone and weak family ties were risk factors for loneliness among Nigerian older adults ( Ojembe & Kalu, 2018 ).…”

“…A qualitative study reported that living alone and weak family ties were risk factors for loneliness among Nigerian older adults ( Ojembe & Kalu, 2018 ). A mixed-method study on factors that affect loneliness among Nigerian older adults by Ebimgbo et al. (2021) reported conflicting findings.…”

“…Findings from eleven studies comprising both qualitative and quantitative designs reported on concepts relating to the attachment dimension, highlighting the importance of having or being in relationships that provide a sense of safety, security, well-being, and enhance a sense of importance, thereby reducing loneliness among BOAs ( Cacioppo et al, 2017 ; Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Hawkley & Kocherginsky, 2018 ; Kwegyir Tsiboe, 2020 ; Ojembe & Kalu, 2019 ; Olawa et al, 2021 ; Olawa & Idemudia, 2020 ; Phaswana-Mafuya & Peltzer, 2017 ; Roos et al, 2019 ; Victor et al, 2021 ). Among BOAs in Nigeria and South Africa, it was reported that more than half of the participants who were married were less lonely than those who were divorced, separated, or widowed ( Ebimgbo et al, 2021 ; Phaswana-Mafuya & Peltzer, 2017 ). Similarly, Ojembe and Kalu (2018) reported that bereavement increased loneliness among older adults in the Southern part of Nigeria.…”