Oliveira Jaime, Guerra Sara, Sousa Liliana, Ribeiro Oscar
School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, (Campus Universitário de Santiago), Aveiro, Portugal.
Aging Ment Health. 2025 Feb;29(2):220-227. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2379408. Epub 2024 Jul 15.
This study aimed to map the existing scientific research about solitude in older adults, focusing on its conceptualizations, associated factors, and impacts.
A scoping review was conducted, searching Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Academic Search Complete databases for publications from 1985 until December 2023.
Twenty-four studies were included. The main findings suggest a wide-ranging conceptualisation of solitude, with most studies ( = 16) adopting neutral definitions such as "being alone, without communicating with others"; and a subset of studies adopting definitions that alluded to "positive solitude" (as the choice of being with oneself, underscoring potential benefits). Individual characteristics were identified as key associated factors of solitude. Both positive impacts and negative impacts were reported.
The variability in conceptualisation and impacts likely stems from methodological and theoretical differences in approaching solitude. This underscores the need for additional research to establish a widely accepted conceptual framework. Such consensus could enhance the understanding of the conditions contributing to positive and negative impacts associated with solitude and inform targeted interventions.
本研究旨在梳理关于老年人孤独感的现有科学研究，重点关注其概念化、相关因素及影响。
进行了一项范围综述，在Scopus、科学网、PubMed和学术搜索完整版数据库中检索1985年至2023年12月期间的出版物。
纳入了24项研究。主要研究结果表明，孤独感的概念化范围广泛，大多数研究（n = 16）采用中性定义，如“独自一人，不与他人交流”；还有一部分研究采用的定义暗示了“积极孤独”（即选择独处，强调潜在益处）。个体特征被确定为孤独感的关键相关因素。研究报告了孤独感的积极影响和消极影响。
概念化和影响方面的差异可能源于研究孤独感的方法和理论差异。这凸显了开展更多研究以建立广泛接受的概念框架的必要性。这样的共识可以增进对导致孤独感产生积极和消极影响的条件的理解，并为有针对性的干预措施提供依据。
