@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 2383-2150 Journal of Education and Community Health 2014;1(2):30-38
ISSN: 2383-2150 Journal of Education and Community Health 2014;1(2):30-38
Explanation of Loneliness in the Elderly and Comparison With Psychosocial De-velopment Theory: A Quantitative Study
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Original ResearchAuthors
Shamsaei F. (1)Cheraghi F. (2)
Esmaeili R. (3*)
Mohsenifard J. (4)
(1) Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
(2) Chronic Diseases (Home Care) Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
(3*) Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Mazandran University of Medical sciences, Sari, Iran
(4) , Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Correspondence
Article History
Received: July 8, 2014Accepted: November 11, 2014
ePublished: December 10, 2014
ABSTRACT
Aims
Loneliness is universal, still very subjective feeling, natural to all human beings and a subjective experience of isolation. Many people may be ashamed of talking about it or admitting they feel lonely, because they are afraid of being stigmatized. The purpose of this study was to explore elderly experiences of loneliness and comparison with the Erikson’s the-ory.
Materials & Methods this study was a qualitative research with content analysis approach. The research population was twelve elderly, aged 68-85 years who lived in Hamadan city. Sampling began purposefully and continued until data saturation. To collect data, interview was used. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed immediately. Data was analyzed using content analysis method.
Findings In total, 187 primary codes, 7 subcategories and 3 main categories were obtained in which, the 3 main categories were feelings of alienation, separation of favorite activities, and fatigue and sadness. Core category or shared meaning was regret with heavy.
Conclusion Loneliness is common in elderly and associated with adverse health consequences both from a mental and physical health points of view. Therefore, appropriate intervention strategies to reduce isolation using the Erikson’s psychosocial theory can improve elderly quality of life to achieve Ego integrity throughout the life.
Materials & Methods this study was a qualitative research with content analysis approach. The research population was twelve elderly, aged 68-85 years who lived in Hamadan city. Sampling began purposefully and continued until data saturation. To collect data, interview was used. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed immediately. Data was analyzed using content analysis method.
Findings In total, 187 primary codes, 7 subcategories and 3 main categories were obtained in which, the 3 main categories were feelings of alienation, separation of favorite activities, and fatigue and sadness. Core category or shared meaning was regret with heavy.
Conclusion Loneliness is common in elderly and associated with adverse health consequences both from a mental and physical health points of view. Therefore, appropriate intervention strategies to reduce isolation using the Erikson’s psychosocial theory can improve elderly quality of life to achieve Ego integrity throughout the life.
CITATION LINKS
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[8]Andersson L. Loneliness research and intervention: A review of the Literature. Aging Ment Health.1998; 2(4):264-74.
[9]Theeke L. Predictors of Loneliness in U.S. Adults over age sixty-sive. Arch Psychiatr Nurs.2009; 23(5):387-96.
[10]Hojjati H, Koochaki G, Sanagoo A. [The relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction of the elderly in Gorgan and Gonbad cities]. Journal of Gorgan Bouyeh Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery.2012; 9(1);61-8. (Persian)
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[12]Heravi-Karimooi M, Anosheh M, Foroughan M, Sheikhi MT, Hajizadeh E, Seyed-Baghermadah M, et al. [Explaining the elderly perspective about the loneliness]. Iranian Journal of Ageing.2008; 2(4):410-20. (Persian)
[13]Brown C, Lowis MJ. Psychosocial development in the elderly: An investigation into Erikson's ninth stage. J Aging Stud.2003; 17(4);415-26.
[14]Pietikainen P, Ihanus J. On the origins of psychoanalytic psychohistory. Hist Psychol.2003; 6(2):171-94.
[15]Mayan MJ. An introduction to qualitative methods: A training module for students and professionals. 2th ed. Alberta: International Institute for Qualitative Methodology; 2001.
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[18]Victor CR, Scambler SJ, Bowling A, Bond J. The prevalence of and risk factors for loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain. Ageing Soc.2005; 25(6):357-75.
[19]Savikko N. Loneliness of older people and elements of an intervention for its alleviation [PhD thesis]. Turku: Uni-versity of Turku; 2008.
[20]Tiikkainen P, Heikkinen RL. Associations between loneliness, depressive symptoms and perceived togetherness in older people. Aging Ment Health.2005; 9(6):526-34.
[21]Cacioppo JT, Hawkley LC, Emst JM, Burleson M, Berntson GC, Nouriani B, et al. Loneliness within a nomological net: An evolutionary Perspective. J Res Pers.2006; 40(6):1054-85.
[22]Hauge S, Kirkevold M. Older Norwegians’ understanding of loneliness. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being.2010; 9(5): doi: 10.3402/qhw.v5i1.4654.
[23]Birkeland A, Natvig GK. Coping with ageing and failing health: A qualitative study among elderly living alone. Int J Nurs Pract.2009; 15(4):257-64.
[24]Savikko N, Rotasalo P, Tilvis RS, Strandberg TE, Pitkala KH. Predictors and subjective causes of loneliness in an aged population. Arch Gerontol Geriatr.2005; 41(3):223-33.
[25]Wang JJ, Snyder M, Kaas M. Stress, loneliness and depression in Taiwanese rural communitywelling elders. Int J Nurs Stud.2001; 38(3):339-47.
[26]Luanaigh CO, Lawlor BA. Loneliness and the health of older people. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry.2008; 23(12):1213-21.
[27]Haber D. Life Review: Implmmentation, Theory, Research, and Therapy. Int J Aging Hum Dev.2006; 63(2):153-71.
[2]Alipour F, Sajadi H, Forouzan A, Biglarian A, Jalilian A. [Quality of life in elderly region Tehran]. Iranian Journal of Ageing.2008; 3(3&4):75-83. (Persian)
[3]Eliopoulos C. Gerontological Nursing. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.
[4]Riahi ME. [Comparative study of the position and status of elderly people in the past and contemporary societies]. Iranian Journal of Ageing.2008; 3(3&4):10-21. (Persian)
[5]Chiang KJ, Chu H, Chang HJ, Chung MH, Chen CH, Chiou HY, et al. The effect of reminiscence therapy on psychological well-being, depression, and loneliness among the institutionalized aged. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry.2009; 25(4):380-8.
[6]Henrich LM, Gullone E. The clinical significance of loneliness: A literature review. Clin Psychol Rev.2006; 26(6):695-718.
[7]Michela JL, Peplau LA, WeeksDG. Perceived dimensions of attribution for loneliness. J Pers Soc Psychol.1982; 43(5): 929-36.
[8]Andersson L. Loneliness research and intervention: A review of the Literature. Aging Ment Health.1998; 2(4):264-74.
[9]Theeke L. Predictors of Loneliness in U.S. Adults over age sixty-sive. Arch Psychiatr Nurs.2009; 23(5):387-96.
[10]Hojjati H, Koochaki G, Sanagoo A. [The relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction of the elderly in Gorgan and Gonbad cities]. Journal of Gorgan Bouyeh Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery.2012; 9(1);61-8. (Persian)
[11]Pettigrew S, Roberts M. Addressing loneliness in later life. Aging Ment Health.2008; 12(3): 302-9.
[12]Heravi-Karimooi M, Anosheh M, Foroughan M, Sheikhi MT, Hajizadeh E, Seyed-Baghermadah M, et al. [Explaining the elderly perspective about the loneliness]. Iranian Journal of Ageing.2008; 2(4):410-20. (Persian)
[13]Brown C, Lowis MJ. Psychosocial development in the elderly: An investigation into Erikson's ninth stage. J Aging Stud.2003; 17(4);415-26.
[14]Pietikainen P, Ihanus J. On the origins of psychoanalytic psychohistory. Hist Psychol.2003; 6(2):171-94.
[15]Mayan MJ. An introduction to qualitative methods: A training module for students and professionals. 2th ed. Alberta: International Institute for Qualitative Methodology; 2001.
[16]Streubert HJ, Carpenter DR. Qualitative Research in Nursing. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott publisher; 2002.
[17]Hsieh HF, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res.2005; 15(9):1277-88.
[18]Victor CR, Scambler SJ, Bowling A, Bond J. The prevalence of and risk factors for loneliness in later life: a survey of older people in Great Britain. Ageing Soc.2005; 25(6):357-75.
[19]Savikko N. Loneliness of older people and elements of an intervention for its alleviation [PhD thesis]. Turku: Uni-versity of Turku; 2008.
[20]Tiikkainen P, Heikkinen RL. Associations between loneliness, depressive symptoms and perceived togetherness in older people. Aging Ment Health.2005; 9(6):526-34.
[21]Cacioppo JT, Hawkley LC, Emst JM, Burleson M, Berntson GC, Nouriani B, et al. Loneliness within a nomological net: An evolutionary Perspective. J Res Pers.2006; 40(6):1054-85.
[22]Hauge S, Kirkevold M. Older Norwegians’ understanding of loneliness. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being.2010; 9(5): doi: 10.3402/qhw.v5i1.4654.
[23]Birkeland A, Natvig GK. Coping with ageing and failing health: A qualitative study among elderly living alone. Int J Nurs Pract.2009; 15(4):257-64.
[24]Savikko N, Rotasalo P, Tilvis RS, Strandberg TE, Pitkala KH. Predictors and subjective causes of loneliness in an aged population. Arch Gerontol Geriatr.2005; 41(3):223-33.
[25]Wang JJ, Snyder M, Kaas M. Stress, loneliness and depression in Taiwanese rural communitywelling elders. Int J Nurs Stud.2001; 38(3):339-47.
[26]Luanaigh CO, Lawlor BA. Loneliness and the health of older people. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry.2008; 23(12):1213-21.
[27]Haber D. Life Review: Implmmentation, Theory, Research, and Therapy. Int J Aging Hum Dev.2006; 63(2):153-71.