Cheng Pan, Jin Yu, Sun Hongmin, Tang Zhenhai, Zhang Chi, Chen Yuanjing, Zhang Qian, Zhang Qinghe, Huang Fen
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2015 Mar;15(3):356-64. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12277. Epub 2014 Mar 14.
The goal of the present study was to determine the disparities in prevalence and risk factors of loneliness between rural empty nest and non-empty nest older adults in Chizhou, China.
A sample of 730 participants (381 empty nest older adults and 349 non-empty nest older adults) were surveyed using the University of California at Los Angeles-Loneliness Scale, the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Social Support Rate Scale, the Perceived Social Support from Family Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire abbreviated version.
The present study showed that the mean level of loneliness did significantly differ between empty nest older adults and non-empty nest older adults (41.52 ± 6.98 vs 39.46 ± 7.38). Empty nesters had significantly higher GDS scores; by contrast, they received lower objective, subjective and family support. Family support, objective support and social interaction were associated significantly with loneliness, which was more pronounced in empty nest older adults, excluding subjective support and psychological domain. The GDS scores (β = 0.237, P < 0.001) and age (β = -0.114, P = 0.002) showed stronger significant associations with loneliness in empty nest older adults.
Loneliness obviously prevails among empty nest older adults than non-empty nest older adults. Depressive symptoms showed a stronger risk of empty nest older adults being lonely. Family support was suggested as a protective factor for loneliness in both groups. These findings should be considered when developing intervention strategies to reduce loneliness.
本研究旨在确定中国池州农村空巢与非空巢老年人在孤独感患病率及危险因素方面的差异。
采用加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校孤独感量表、30项老年抑郁量表（GDS - 30）、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数、社会支持率量表、家庭感知社会支持量表及世界卫生组织生活质量简表，对730名参与者（381名空巢老年人和349名非空巢老年人）进行了调查。
本研究表明，空巢老年人与非空巢老年人的孤独感平均水平存在显著差异（41.52±6.98 vs 39.46±7.38）。空巢老人的GDS得分显著更高；相比之下，他们获得的客观、主观及家庭支持更低。家庭支持、客观支持和社会互动与孤独感显著相关，在空巢老年人中更为明显，但主观支持和心理领域除外。在空巢老年人中，GDS得分（β = 0.237，P < 0.001）和年龄（β = -0.114，P = 0.002）与孤独感的关联更为显著。
空巢老年人中的孤独感明显高于非空巢老年人。抑郁症状显示空巢老年人更易感到孤独。家庭支持被认为是两组孤独感的保护因素。在制定减少孤独感的干预策略时应考虑这些发现。
