Table 2.
Categories and examples of predictors (risk factors; protective factors) for loneliness
| Categories (Frequency) | Examples |
|---|---|
| Family (15) |
Risk factor: Seeing other families and realizing that one’s own family is not there or has passed away. Protective factor: Living together with a family protects from being lonely, as one is always busy and surrounded by people who can support the older person. |
| Financial Situation (7) |
Risk factor: Worrying about where to get food from, especially when the responsibility lies upon one person. Protective factor: Not needing to worry about food and living protects from negative feelings, such as loneliness. |
| Relationship Quality (6) |
Risk factor: When people do not care about how you feel and leave you alone because you are old. Protective factor: Being satisfied with close relationships is specifically important to not feeling lonely. |
| Health (5) |
Risk factor: Not being healthy means being immobile and not able to do anything or participate in activities. It also makes you dependent on other people to take care of you. Protective factor: Being healthy enables independence, like doing household work without needing any help from others. |
| Community Activity (2) |
Risk factor: Realizing one is alone at community activities, whereas other families and people come together. Protective factor: Participating in community activities leaves no time to think about loneliness. |
| Cognition (2) |
Risk factor: Being too proud to ask other people for help makes you not care about other people’s opinions. Protective factor: Having a good attitude by keeping a smile when other people say rude words in front of you. |
| Area of Residence (2) |
Risk factor: Living in a big city can be a big burden for old people as it becomes harder to find intimate social contacts and be mobile or participate in community activities. Protective factor: In cities, water comes from a pipe and can facilitate taking a bath, compared to a well in the village. People in a village are dependent on support by family members and may feel lonely when they do not have a person to support them. |
| Instrumental Support (2) |
Risk factor: n.a. Protective factor: Children or neighbors take care of you in case of illness or needing help. Likewise, providing care for children when they need something can also prevent loneliness. |
| Emotional Support (1) |
Risk factor: When nobody cares for you, it makes you feel weak and lonely. Protective factor: n.a. |