Loneliness in the Swedish Aged

Feelings of loneliness in relation to disease, handicaps, social network and social background were studied in a representative sample of 1,007 70-year-old people living in Göteborg, Sweden. The results showed that loneliness was a problem to 24% of the women and 12% of the men. The study allowed a detailed analysis of the association between feelings of loneliness and health, disabilities due to other than medical reasons, consumption of social and medical service, social contacts, cognitive functioning and personality traits. The most important factors related to the feeling of loneliness were the loss of spouse, depression of mood and lack of friends. The lonely had a negative self-assessment of health and consumed more out-patient care, social welfare help and sedatives. The higher consumption of medical service and/or social care was, however, not associated with a higher prevalence of definable somatic disease or handicaps.