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Loneliness and adjustment to old age.

Among two samples of older adults, loneliness (measured by the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale) was related to poor psychological adjustment, generally, and to dissatisfaction with family and social relationships. It was also related, however, to fears, expectations, and personality characteristics likely to inhibit the restoration of personal support networks after a stressful life event such as widowhood. Finally, loneliness was associated with maladaptive behavior patterns such as failure to: a) plan for old age, b) engage in rehearsal for widowhood, c) engage in social comparison, or d) learn about available community health and social services.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1981

Use of chemical agents and avoidance of ontological confrontation of loneliness.

The Avoidance of the Ontological Confrontation of Loneliness Scale was used to assist the psychometric documentation of choice of an avoidance versus confrontation strategy to the issue of loneliness. Data were obtained from 118 males and 183 females (median age approximately 30 yr.) selected from both community and university locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Analysis showed low scorers (confronters) reported less use of medications and hard drugs than medium and high scorers. High scorers (avoiders) reported less use of tobacco than both medium and low groups as well as less use of alcoholic beverages than the medium scorers. Results were compared with earlier research findings between the Loneliness scale and the use of various chemical agents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Effects of dysphoria and loneliness on social perceptual skills.

Numerous studies indicate that depression (or dysphoria) and loneliness are associated with deficits in social skills. The purpose of this study was to assess whether these deficits in social skills include social perceptual skills. 251 subjects observed four target persons. For each person they completed a measure of rejection, an evaluative adjective checklist, and a rating of social skills. Analyses indicated no relationship between scores on either dysphoria or loneliness and self-rated social perceptual skills. A multiple correspondence analysis indicated that dysphoric and lonely subjects were equally discriminating in their perceptions and evaluations of others relative to their nondistressed peers. In fact, loneliness and dysphoria were positively associated with some social perceptual skills. Subjects showed a strong preference to be accepting of those targets who they felt were socially skilled. Implications of these findings and suggestions for research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Loneliness and sleep during adolescence.

Samples of 106 early, 111 middle, and 113 late adolescents responded to the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the VSH Sleep Scale. Statistically significant correlations showed greater loneliness was associated with greater sleep disturbance in early and middle adolescents but not in late adolescents. Both sleep effectiveness and amount of sleep were not appreciably correlated with loneliness during adolescence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Loneliness and health-related variables in young adults.

In classrooms, 69 young adults responded to the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Symptom Pattern Scale, and the General Health Rating Index, a measure of perceived health status. A statistically significant positive correlation of .21 was found between scores for loneliness and ratings for symptom patterns. A statistically inverse correlation of -.35 was found between scores for loneliness and ratings for perceived health status. These findings replicated those found earlier with adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Relationship of loneliness and its affective elements to self-esteem.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between loneliness and self-esteem for adolescents (n = 57; age range 16 to 18 years). As hypothesized, scores on the UCLA Scale for Loneliness correlated negatively with adolescents' scores on Coopersmith's self-esteem measure. And, scores on two affective dimensions of loneliness (Isolation and Dejection) correlated negatively with scores on self-esteem.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Loneliness, social support, and anxiety among two South Pacific cultures.

This study was designed to investigate the relations among two sources of social support, various aspects of loneliness, and anxiety from two different cultural groups. One group was comprised of Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian people (n = 54) and the other of East Indian and Caucasian people (n = 27). As hypothesized, significant correlations (direct and inverse) between scores on a measure of social support and loneliness were found and a positive one between anxiety and loneliness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Avian companionship in alleviation of depression, loneliness, and low morale of older adults in skilled rehabilitation units.

To assess effects of a companion bird on the depression, morale, and loneliness of 40 older adults in a skilled rehabilitation unit, self-reported measures of depression, loneliness, and morale were completed on admission and 10 days later. With the presence of a companion bird the experimental group (n = 20) showed a significant decrease in depression but none in morale or loneliness from the control group (n = 20) who were without a bird. Use of a companion bird may lessen negative effects of change of residence for older adults.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Loneliness and creativity in adolescents.

Samples of 107 early, 81 middle, and 112 late adolescents responded to the UCLA Loneliness Scale and The Creativity Scale of the Adjective Check List. Contrary to the hypothesized direction, statistically significant inverse correlations (-.19 to -.33) were found between scores on measures of loneliness and creativity in all three adolescent samples. Findings are interpreted within the conceptualizations in which the relationship between loneliness and creativity were proposed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

The subjectivity of loneliness and coping with it.

Previous research, upon which the present study is based, identified five clearly distinguished factors which comprise the loneliness experience: Emotional distress, Social inadequacy and alienation, Growth and discovery, Interpersonal isolation, and Self alienation. Further research indicated that the various coping strategies could be grouped into six factors, namely, Reflection and acceptance, Self-development and understanding. Social support network, Distancing and denial, Religion and faith, and Increased activity. The present study examined which were the most beneficial coping strategies, depending on the qualitative experience of lonely persons. The following coping strategies were identified as best suited to cope with and reduce the pain of loneliness. Acceptance and reflection, Social interaction, and Increased activity. Distancing from loneliness and attempts to ignore and deny it are the least effective and can, at best, be helpful on a temporary basis only.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Loneliness and self-efficacy in education majors.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness and self-efficacy for a sample of 314 French Canadian education majors who were administered French Canadian versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale and Teacher Efficacy Scale. Analysis yielded, as expected, a negative and significant correlation of -.25 between scores on loneliness and self-efficacy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Loneliness and health-related variables in early adolescents: an extension.

The purpose of this study was to extend knowledge about loneliness and health-related variables. In classrooms, 135 early adolescents responded to measures of loneliness, symptom patterns, and perceived health status. Statistically significant correlations were found for loneliness scores with ratings for symptom patterns (.44) and with ratings for perceived health status (-.46).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Correlations between humor styles and loneliness.

In a previous study, a significant negative correlation between shyness with affiliative humor and a significant positive one with self-defeating humor were reported. Since shyness and loneliness share many of the same characteristics, poor social skills and negative affect, for example, significant negative correlations of loneliness with affiliative and self-enhancing humor and a significant positive one with self-defeating humor were hypothesized. 106 community college students (34 men, 72 women) ranging in age from 17 to 52 years (M=23.5, SD=7.7) were tested. The hypotheses were supported. Interrelationships among humor, shyness, and loneliness should be examined within one study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Becoming immune to loneliness helping the elderly fill a void.

1. The extent to which one is able to fulfill needs and escape loneliness in later life depends on available relationships and one's creative interactions with others. 2. Persons immune to loneliness have characteristics that permit growth and constructive behaviors when faced with a loss or change. 3. Loneliness in old age occurs because interactions and communications from others are ignored and are not accepted by others. 4. Knowledge of an individual's level of creative potential is relevant for nurses planning interventions for mobilizing a support system for the lonely elderly.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Sounds of silence--coping with hearing loss and loneliness.

The vast majority of people will suffer presbycusis during the aging process. This hearing loss has potential social consequences, which place these individuals at risk for loneliness. Nurses need to encourage thorough audiological examination and follow through on recommendations to improve hearing. The use of hearing aids needs to be encouraged. A suggested model of interaction among variables influencing loneliness identifies areas amenable to nursing intervention. Frequency of significant interaction and motivation to engage in interactions represent two important variables that influence loneliness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Conquering loneliness.

It is important to identify signs of clinical depression such as pessimism, refusal to eat, diminished concern about personal appearance, and reluctance to make decisions. Medical referral for clinical depression is imperative because there are medications and other interventions that can effectively alleviate the feelings of sadness and despair that accompany clinical depression. One must determine if loneliness is a symptom of depression or an emotional state that can be changed by one's own efforts. Whether the lonely person is the health care giver or a health care receiver, the ability to use creative strategies for coping with loneliness can turn loneliness into a more comfortable experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Loneliness: a challenge for nurses caring for older people.

Loneliness is a complex concept that involves both psychological and social aspects. This article explores loneliness and the impact it can have on older people. It considers the challenges facing nurses and other healthcare professionals in helping older people to deal with loneliness.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

[Reference standards for the loneliness scale].

This article focuses on the cutting scores for the measurement of loneliness on the Loneliness Scale. A cutting score is used to distinguish the lonely from the not lonely. Data have been analyzed relating to interviews with 3,823 respondents (54-89 years old) who live independently. Use has been made of the individuals' self-assessed level of loneliness. More than would be the case with arbitrary cutting scores, this is in keeping with the individuals' own perception. The figures show that 68% of the elderly persons in the Netherlands are not lonely, 28% are moderately lonely, and 4% are quite lonely. Previous research used a lower cutting score and, consequently, observed that much more people are lonely.

Aged↗