Gender differences in loneliness, anger, depression, self-management ability and biomarkers of chronic illness in chronically ill mid-life adults in Appalachia.

AIMS

This study describes gender differences and relationships among loneliness, anger, depression, self-management ability and biomarkers of chronic illness in chronically ill mid-life adults in Appalachia.

BACKGROUND

Loneliness predicts poor health, functional decline, and mortality in adults. Though self-management ability is linked to improved health outcomes, a gap existed when examining how loneliness impacts self-management ability (SMA).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited 90 patients from a primary care center. Instruments measured loneliness, anger, depression, and SMA. Measures were taken for BMI, blood pressure, and glucose. Descriptive and hierarchical multiple regression was used to test hypotheses.

RESULTS

Participants were majority female (68%), white (89%), married (52%), employed (66%), and impoverished (70%). They were moderately lonely (M = 41.29, SD 12.13) and men were lonelier than women (p < .01). Men and women did not differ on anger, depressive symptoms, or SMA. Anger (5.64, SD 7.32) and depressive symptoms (M = 5.89, SD 5.54) were low. Loneliness positively correlated with anger (r = 0.415, p < .01) and depression (r = 0.558, p < .01), and inversely related to subscales of SMA (p < .01) [taking initiative (TI), investment behavior (IB), variety (V), multifunctionality (MF), self-efficacy (SE), and positive frame of mind (PM)]. After controlling for age, anger, and depression, loneliness was explanatory for poorer SMA (R squared change = 0.32, F change (1, 67) = 47.67, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Loneliness impacts SMA and should be included in the care planning or study of chronically ill adults who struggle with self-management.