Loneliness of Elderly Living in Vellore District

  • Simon Philip (Ph.D Scholar), Department of Sociology, M.S University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
  • R Maruthakutty Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, MS University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Loneliness, lonely

Abstract

Loneliness is theunpleasant andsubjective experience that occurs when a person's network of socialrelationships are significantly deficient in either quality or quantity. This is one of the serious psychologicaldeficienciesthat is prevalent among elderly. Therefore investigator is keen in assessing the level ofloneliness among elderly in Vellore district. This study is conducted to assess the level of loneliness andback ground variables related to loneliness. Normative survey method is adopted in the present study.The sample is 284 elderly people living in Katpadi taluk in Vellore district. The investigator preparedloneliness scale to measure the loneliness of the elderly which consist of 20 statements.The study revealedthat 50percentagesof elderly are highly lonely, 41.54percentagesof elderly are moderately lonely andonly 8.46percentagesof elderly feel low loneliness. The marital status and living style of elderly are someof the influencing factors of loneliness. The investigator has given the followingsuggestions:resisting theescape behavior, placing the past as a primary parent, being positive performer, accepting as a part ofpersonal growth and considering as a familiar experience.The above suggestions are to help anelderly toaccept and navigate way to go throughloneliness rather than providing tips to avoid it.

Published
2018-01-20
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