Age and loneliness in 25 European nations

Authors:
YANG Keming, VICTOR Christina
Journal article citation:
Ageing and Society, 31(8), November 2011, pp.1368-1388.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press

Loneliness is normally perceived as a problem of old age. However, evidence suggests that loneliness peaks during adolescence, and there are demonstrable variations between nations in reported rates of loneliness. This study investigated the prevalence of loneliness across different age groups in 25 European nations, with a focus on people of an advanced age. Data was drawn 47,099 samples, aged 15 to 101 years, from the European Social Survey, which included a self-measure of loneliness. Findings indicated that the prevalence of loneliness increased with age, but a greater impact came from the nation in which one lived. Russia and Eastern European nations had the highest proportions of lonely people, at 10 to 34% for different age groups, and Northern European nations the lowest below 6%. Explanatory factors for the results are identified and discussed, providing a basis for a subsequent and formal study.

Subject terms:
loneliness, older people, young people, ageing;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Europe
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-1779
ISSN print:
0144-686X

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