Social Capital and Loneliness Among the Very Old Living at Home and in Institutional Settings A Comparative Study

• Published in: Journal of aging and health Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 1013 - 1035
• Main Authors: Nyqvist, Fredrica, Cattan, Mima, Andersson, Lars, Forsman, Anna K., Gustafson, Yngve
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2013; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Comparative studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Finland; Geriatrics; Gerontology; Health technology assessment; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Independent Living - psychology; Institutionalization; Loneliness; Male; Mental depression; Older people; Risk Factors; SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP; Social capital; SOCIAL SCIENCES; Social Support; Sweden; very old; Sweden; Finland; social capital; Sweden; loneliness; very old; Finland
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264313497508

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between aspects of social capital and loneliness among the very old living at home and in institutional settings. Method: Half of those aged 85 years, and all 90- and 95-year-olds and older in urban and rural municipalities in northern Sweden and western Finland were invited to participate in a cross-sectional population-based study in 2005-2007. A sample of 483 participants who completed the study was included in the analyses. Results: Loneliness was experienced by 55% percent of those living in institutional settings often or sometimes and 45% of those living in their own homes. Loneliness was closely related to living alone, to depression, and to region (northern Sweden). Discussion: Social capital and loneliness are context dependent (i.e., geographical or living environment). Among the very old, the link between social capital resources and loneliness is also highly influenced by health status.