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Loneliness in Older Indian Dyads

Author

Listed:
  • Aparna Shankar

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, FLAME University, 401 Phoenix Complex, Bund Garden Rd., Opp. Residency Club, Pune 411001, India)

  • Tara Kidd

    (Department of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

Abstract

Background: Loneliness has been recognised as a major public health concern in older adults in developed nations, with little focus on low- and middle-income countries such as India. While the protective nature of social relationships on loneliness has been explored in the context of marriage, typically these benefits are examined in individual spouses rather than within the marital dyad. Methods: A sample of 398 opposite-sex married Indian couples (mean age 54.8 years) was obtained from the pilot wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2010. These cross-sectional data were analysed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, with one’s own and one’s partner’s cognitive function, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, employment status and contact with friends included as predictors of loneliness. Results: There were no gender differences in the pattern of associations. Depression was positively associated with loneliness with actor and partner effects being significant. One’s partner being employed was associated with less loneliness. Conclusions: The sample showed low levels of depression, loneliness, and reduced functionality; however, depression still predicted one’s own and one’s partner’s loneliness. Future work using longitudinal data could examine the role of employment in loneliness, particularly within the context of gender roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Aparna Shankar & Tara Kidd, 2022. "Loneliness in Older Indian Dyads," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5302-:d:803177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jenny de Jong Gierveld & Marjolein Broese van Groenou & Adriaan W. Hoogendoorn & Johannes H. Smit, 2009. "Quality of Marriages in Later Life and Emotional and Social Loneliness," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(4), pages 497-506.
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    4. Jaclyn S Wong & Ning Hsieh, 2019. "Functional Status, Cognition, and Social Relationships in Dyadic Perspective," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 74(4), pages 703-714.
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