TY - JOUR JF - gums-hnmj JO - JHNM VL - 21 IS - 2 PY - 2011 Y1 - 2011/10/01 TI - Loneliness and general health of elderly TT - احساس تنهایی و سلامت عمومی سالمندان N2 - Introduction: In recent years attention to elderly is progressing rapidly in countries. Special ‎attention to their mental and physical need is necessary. Loneliness may occur in all age ‎groups, but this is more a problem peculiar to the elderly. Loneliness is a complex concept, ‎specially affecting the psychosocial well-being of the elderly. The feelings of loneliness have ‎serious consequence on the health of older adults.‎ Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine loneliness and general health of ‎members of the elderly pensioners association of Gilan University of Medical Science in ‎Rasht.‎ Methods: This study was a descriptive– correlational research. Sampling performed, through ‎easy sampling method. ‎‏100‏‎ members of pensioners association from both gender (female and ‎male) took part in the study. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of three ‎parts. Part one was about demographic data, part two about loneliness that was measured by ‎the UCLA loneliness scale, and part three was general health status with ‎‏28‏‎ questions. Data ‎were analyzed by descriptive-analytical methods, using SPSS ‎‏16‏‎.‎ Results: In this study it was found that married elderly people (p<‎‏0.02‏‎) who were satisfied ‎with living area (p<‎‏0.045‏‎) felt less lonely than others. According to the results of this study ‎the elderly who defined their general health status as good felt less lonely (p<‎‏0.00‏‎).‎ Conclusion: It was demonstrated that loneliness is an important factor decreasing general ‎health and therefore, early identification of loneliness may help maintain the general health of ‎older adults. Health care professionals should be alert to the association of loneliness and ‎adverse health outcomes.‎ SP - 28 EP - 34 AU - Sheikholeslami, Farzaneh AU - Reza Masouleh, Shadman AU - Khodadadi, Naeema AU - Yazdani, Mohammad Ali AD - KW - Loneliness KW - general health KW - elderly UR - http://hnmj.gums.ac.ir/article-1-184-en.html ER -