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Profile of ethnicity, living arrangements and loneliness amongst older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Jamieson Hamish A,
Gibson Helen M,
AbeyNesbit Rebecca,
AhuririDriscoll Annabel,
Keeling Sally,
Schluter Philip J
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12496
Subject(s) - loneliness , aotearoa , ethnic group , gerontology , childlessness , medicine , cross sectional study , psychology , demography , sociology , environmental health , gender studies , psychiatry , population , pathology , anthropology , fertility
Objective To explore the patterns of living arrangements, ethnicity and loneliness amongst older adults (aged 65+ years) living at home. Methods National interRAI‐HC (International Residential Assessment Instrument‐Home Care) assessments conducted between 1 September 2012 and 31 January 2016 were analysed. Analysis focused on the associations between loneliness and both ethnic groups and living arrangements. Results There were 71 859 eligible participants, with average age 82.7 years, comprising Māori (5%), Pasifika (3%), Asian (2%) and European/Other (89%) ethnic identification. Most stated that they were not lonely (79%), but those living alone were more likely to be lonely (29%) than those living with others (14%) ( P < 0.05). Amongst those living alone, significant differences in the likelihood of being lonely emerged between ethnic groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Ethnic identification and living arrangements were significantly associated with the likelihood of loneliness for those having an inter RAI ‐ HC assessment. Efforts to reduce the negative impacts of loneliness need a nuanced approach.