Percepção da solidão entre idosos residentes em domicílios unipessoais no município de Belo Horizonte

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of loneliness among the elderly, 60 and over, living alone in Belo Horizonte (Brazil). The study is based on the results of forty in-depth interviews conducted between May and July, 2007. The analysis of the interviews allowed for the structuring of three categories: (1) 'duration of living alone': the adjustments in living alone, depending on the time of residence of the respondent in this type of arrangement; (2) 'advantages and disadvantages in living alone ': this category was structured around the social relations of the elderly, and the ways they used to minimize feelings of loneliness; (3) ’alone in a crowd’: the elderly self perceived feelings of loneliness were disentangled. The results suggest that, given the expectation of living additional years and not seeking a marital union, those respondents who had already started to live alone in adult life would be more prepared to face difficulties of living alone in old age, as compared to those whose arrangements changed later. In general, they did not report feeling loneliness and reported a number of mechanisms used to minimize such feeling, as the interaction with relatives and friends. Many reported that living alone was a way to exercise their autonomy and understood that this kind of arrangement was positive in their lives. In fact, perceived loneliness was strongly related to living in retirement houses, since such arrangements implied no longer relying on the support of their relatives and friends.