Loneliness-associated factors among older adults: Focus on friendship type and number of friends

Aim

Loneliness among older people is prevalent. Few studies have examined the association of loneliness with the type of friendship and number of friends. This study aimed to clarify the loneliness-related factors among older adults by gender focusing on the type of friendship and number of friends.

Methods

An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 1610 older adults in Japan. The questionnaire included basic characteristics, health status used by the self-administered dementia checklist, type of friendship and number of friends evaluated by the Lubben Social Network Scale, and loneliness evaluated using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. Univariate analysis was performed with loneliness as the dependent variable, and multiple logistic regression analysis was also performed.

Results

A total of 1082 older adults were included for analysis. The loneliness rate was 16.8%. Regarding the type of friendship and number of friends, having <3 close friends to call on for help (tangible aid) was most associated with loneliness (men odds ratio [OR]: 2.88, women OR: 3.10). Higher awareness of the participants of subjective symptoms of dementia was proportionally related to loneliness (men, OR: 3.06; women, OR: 2.40). Among women, economic insecurity (OR: 1.68), subjective health (OR: 2.12), having <3 friends with whom they feel easy to talk about private matters (emotional support) were related to loneliness (OR: 2.38).

Conclusion

The results suggested that the type of friendship and number of friends, economic insecurity, and health status might be associated with loneliness among older adults. Several factors related to loneliness might differ by gender.