Eenzaamheid komt en gaat met de tijd. Effecten van veranderingen in het sociale netwerk en in gezondheid van 55-plussers op hun mate van eenzaamheid

Samenvatting

The purpose of the present study was to examine the implications of changes in the network and changes in health for loneliness in old age. Respondents were 2895 men and women ranging in age from 55 to 89. All were interviewed in 1992 and in 1993 in a face-to-face setting. The results of the panel study indicate that changes in the network and in health were associated with 'appropriate' changes in loneliness. For example, those who lost their partner over the course of the year were more lonely at t2, while those whose health improved became less lonely. However, contrary to expectations, when no changes in the network and in health were observed, the loneliness score still changed. and always in the direction of a reduction of loneliness. Several substantive and methodological explanations for the latter finding are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Mens en Maatschappij is the property of Amsterdam University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)