Unwanted loneliness in older adults: sociodemographic, economic and psychosocial determinants and self-reported loneliness-inducing situations

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the factors associated with unwanted loneliness in non-institutionalized over-65-year-olds in Spain. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative national sample (n = 1,003) by means of computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). Loneliness was measured using the UCLA 3-item scale, with two intensity cut-offs (≥ 4 y ≥ 5). Logistic regressions were applied to identify significant associations between sociodemographic, economic and health variables and self-reported loneliness-inducing situations. RESULTS: Loneliness was significantly associated with being widowed, living alone, low income, anxiety or depression, low life satisfaction and difficulties with new technologies, The presence of anxiety or depression exhibited a potentially reciprocal association with loneliness. Urban environments were also linked to a greater prevalence of loneliness. CONCLUSION: Unwanted loneliness in older adults is a multi-factorial phenomenon with implications for mental health and well-being. Satisfaction with life was found to act as a protective factor. These findings reinforce the need for multidisciplinary strategies to address and prevent loneliness in old age.