Living Alone, Loneliness, and Psychological Well-Being of Older Persons in Singapore
Author Information
Author(s): Lena L. Lim, Kua Ee-Heok
Primary Institution: National University of Singapore
Hypothesis
Living alone might negatively affect psychological well-being, but loneliness may be a stronger contributing factor.
Conclusion
Loneliness is a stronger predictor of depressive symptoms and lower quality of life than living alone among older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Loneliness was a more robust predictor of depressive symptoms than living arrangements.
- Living alone was not associated with depressive symptoms when controlling for loneliness.
- Lonely seniors living alone had significantly higher depressive symptoms than non-lonely seniors.
Takeaway
Older people who live alone might feel sadder, but it's really feeling lonely that makes them feel worse.
Methodology
A prospective cohort study with structured interviews and assessments over two years.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may be subject to social desirability and recall bias.
Limitations
The study may not represent frail elderly living alone, and self-reported data could introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling older adults aged 55 and above in Singapore, with a mean age of 66 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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