Age and Ageing, Vol 28, 491-495, Copyright © 1999 by British Geriatrics Society
MA Tijhuis, J De Jong-Gierveld, EJ Feskens and D Kromhout
AIM: To investigate (i) whether loneliness increases in old age, and if so,
whether it relates to ageing itself, to time trends or to cohort effects
and (ii) the relationship between changes in institutionalization, partner
status and health and loneliness. METHODS: 939 men born between 1900 and
1920 completed the De Jong- Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and answered
questions about their partner status, health and institutionalization in
1985, 1990 and 1995. RESULTS: For the oldest group (born between 1900 and
1910) loneliness scores increased, but not for the younger groups. The
increase in loneliness was attributable to ageing. No birth cohort or time
effects were found. Loneliness was related to changes in
institutionalization, partner status and subjective health but not to
limitations in activities of daily living or cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS: the increased loneliness experienced by very old men is
influenced by loss of a partner, moving into a care home or not feeling
healthy.
ARTICLES
Changes in and factors related to loneliness in older men. The Zutphen Elderly Study
Department of Chronic Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. marjatijhuis@rivm.nl
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