STEMM Institute Press
Science, Technology, Engineering, Management and Medicine
Research on the Current Situation of Loneliness among Empty Nest Elderly and Its Correlation with Successful Aging
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmhs.202405405
Author(s)
Wenqian Hong1, Hengying Che2, *, Xiubin Tao2, Ping Shu3, Wenjing Liu3, Ning Chen3
Affiliation(s)
1Graduate School of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China 2Yijishan Hospital, First Affiliated to Wannan Medical College Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China 3Graduate School of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China *Corresponding Author.
Abstract
In order to explore the correlation between the loneliness of empty-nest elderly individuals and successful aging, the study analyzes the influencing factors, and proposes coping strategies, providing a reference for promoting successful aging among empty-nest seniors. This study used a convenience sampling method to select 402 empty nesters with varying ages, educational backgrounds, marital statuses, and other characteristics as the subjects for the survey. An anonymous survey and statistical analysis were conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Successful Aging Scale, and the Loneliness Scale. The overall score for successful aging among empty-nest elderly individuals with different characteristics is 31.72±10.85. Among these, educational level, occupation, social activities, health check-up status, and feelings of loneliness are the main influencing factors for successful aging in empty-nest elderly individuals (P < 0.05). The successful aging status of empty-nest elderly individuals is relatively low. It is advised to approach this issue from both physical and psychological aspects. By enhancing self-exercise, scheduling regular health check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, and implementing relevant health education and psychological crisis intervention measures, we can reduce feelings of loneliness and strengthen their psychological resilience, thereby improving the successful aging of empty-nest elderly individuals.
Keywords
Empty Nest Elderly; Current Situation of Loneliness; Successful Aging
References
[1] Wang C, Wang Y, Hu L, Li Q, Wang R, Wang Q. The causal association between the empty nest and depressive symptoms with cognitive impairments in China. J Affect Disord. 2022 Oct 15; 315: 7-12. [2] Wang G, Hu M, Xiao SY, Zhou L. Loneliness and depression among rural empty-nest elderly adults in Liuyang, China: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2017 Oct 6; 7(10): e016091. [3] Liu LJ, Guo Q. Loneliness and health-related quality of life for the empty nest elderly in the rural area of a mountainous county in China. Qual Life Res. 2007 Oct; 16(8): 1275-80. [4] Štulhofer, Aleksandar et al. “Successful Aging and Changes in Sexual Interest and Enjoyment Among Older European Men and Women.” The journal of sexual medicine vol. 15, 10 (2018): 1393-1402. [5] Wei-Ju L, Li-Ning P, Ming-Hsien L, et.al. Determinants and indicators of successful aging associated with mortality: a 4-year population-based study. Aging, 2020, 12(3): 2670-2679. [6] Flood, M. (2006). A mid-range nursing theory of successful aging. Journal of Theory Construction & Testing, 9(2), 35-39. [7] Russell DW. UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): reliability, validity, and factor structure. J Pers Assess. 1996 Feb; 66(1): 20-40. [8] Hays RD, DiMatteo MR. A short-form measure of loneliness. J Pers Assess. 1987 Spring; 51(1): 69-81. [9] Besora-Moreno M, Llauradó E, Tarro L, Solà R. Social and Economic Factors and Malnutrition or the Risk of Malnutrition in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients. 2020 Mar 11; 12(3): 737. [10] Gu D, Feng Q, Sautter JM, Yang F, Ma L, Zhen Z. Concordance and Discordance of Self-Rated and Researcher-Measured Successful Aging: Subtypes and Associated Factors. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2017 Mar 1; 72(2): 214-227. [11] Lin YH, Chen YC, Tseng YC, Tsai ST, Tseng YH. Physical activity and successful aging among middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Apr 29; 12(9): 7704-7716. [12] Cheng P, Jin Y, Sun H, Tang Z, Zhang C, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Zhang Q, Huang F. Disparities in prevalence and risk indicators of loneliness between rural empty nest and non-empty nest older adults in Chizhou, China. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2015 Mar; 15(3): 356-64. [13] Holvast F, Burger H, de Waal MM, van Marwijk HW, Comijs HC, Verhaak PF. Loneliness is associated with poor prognosis in late-life depression: Longitudinal analysis of the Netherlands study of depression in older persons. J Affect Disord. 2015 Oct 1; 185: 1-7. [14] Domènech-Abella J, Lara E, Rubio-Valera M, Olaya B, Moneta MV, Rico-Uribe LA, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Mundó J, Haro JM. Loneliness and depression in the elderly: the role of social network. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2017 Apr; 52(4): 381-390. [15] Zábó V, Csiszar A, Ungvari Z, Purebl G. Psychological resilience and competence: key promoters of successful aging and flourishing in late life. Geroscience. 2023 Oct; 45(5): 3045-3058. [16] Carver LF, Buchanan D. Successful aging: considering non-biomedical constructs. Clin Interv Aging. 2016 Nov 11; 11: 1623-1630.
Copyright @ 2020-2035 STEMM Institute Press All Rights Reserved