Loneliness and health in old age: a multivariate analysis with Spanish Red Cross users living alone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness, social relationships (family and non-family), and perceived health status in older people living alone. The sample included 306 Spanish older adults aged 65-95 (M = 78.08, SD = 6.95) that lived alone and were Red Cross users. Bivariate relationships were tested prior to explore influence on perceived health of continuous scores with a significant impact in bivariate tests using a Staged-Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. Main results: older participants showed worse health status and less frequent and close relationships with their family and friends as well as higher risk of non-familial isolation. Aditionally, participants with lower perceived health status were those with less frequent and closer both family and non-family relations, higher sense of loneliness, and the older. 17.9% of the explained variance in perceived health status was significantly predicted by non-family relations, feeling of loneliness, and age.This research highlights the importance of having a network of friends both to prevent and mitigate feelings of loneliness, and to improve the health of older people. This is especially relevant because it facilitates interventions and the incorporation of appropriate strategies to manage loneliness, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for older people living alone.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationships between loneliness, social relations (family and non-family), and perceived health in older people living alone in Spain. Methods: The sample included 306 Spanish older adults aged 6595 (M = 78.08, SD = 6.95) who lived alone and were Red Cross users. Bivariate relationships were tested before conducting a Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis to examine the impact of both objective and subjective components of loneliness on perceived health. Results: Older participants showed worse health status, less frequent and less close relationships with their family and friends, and a higher risk of non-family isolation. Additionally, participants with lower perceived health were found to have both less frequent and closer family and non-family relations, a higher sense of loneliness, and were older. Multivariate analysis revealed that non-family relations, feelings of loneliness, and age significantly predicted 17.9% of the explained variance in perceived health (adjusted R2 = .18, p < .001). Conclusions: This research highlights the importance of non-family relations in preventing and mitigating feelings of loneliness and improving older people's health. These findings are particularly important as they inform the development of effective interventions and strategies to manage loneliness, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for older individuals living alone. Such strategies should be designed to increase opportunities to expand the non-family networks.