Project:

Loneliness, Social Isolation and Living Alone in Later Life


Project Leader(s): Christina Victor, University of Reading
Sponsors: Economic and Social Research Council

Newcastle Investigator: Professor John Bond (PI)

A key component of a good quality of life is the support of family and friends and participation in social activities. Low levels of social contact and feelings of loneliness are associated with poor quality of life. Because of the large number of older people living alone and the loss of husbands, wives and friends through death or entry into long-term institutional care, older people are thought more likely to experience loneliness and isolation than the rest of the community. Identification of the aspects of an older person’s life which seem to protect them against loneliness and isolation would make it possible to develop ways of helping older people overcome these problems and help them to experience a better quality of life.

Aims

To contribute to the theoretical understanding of later life by examining the relationships between loneliness, social isolation and living alone and to contribute to policy and practice by identifying factors protective against isolation and loneliness.

The objectives of the study were:

  • To describe the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness amongst older people living in the community, by the collection of detailed survey data and ‘in depth’ interviews.
  • To contribute to our understanding of secular trends in the experience of quality of life amongst older people by comparing our results with the 1963 survey conducted by Tunstall.
  • To contribute to our knowledge and understanding of later life by investigating the relationship between loneliness and social isolation and living alone for older people.
  • To contribute to policy and practice by identifying the factors, resources and coping mechanisms that protect older people from experiencing loneliness and isolation.

    Staff

    Professor John Bond
    Prof of Social Gerontology and Health Services Research
    Publications