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Understanding loneliness in the lived experiences of Iranian elders
Author(s) -
HeraviKarimooi Majideh,
Anoosheh Monireh,
Foroughan Mahshid,
Sheykhi Mohammad Taghi,
Hajizadeh Ebrahim
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2009.00717.x
Subject(s) - loneliness , feeling , psychology , qualitative research , coping (psychology) , social support , lived experience , social isolation , interpretative phenomenological analysis , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , social psychology , psychotherapist , sociology , social science
Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 274–280
Understanding loneliness in the lived experiences of Iranian elders Elderly people are especially vulnerable to loneliness. Loneliness as an important phenomenon is correlated with a variety of emotional, physical and health‐related complications. However, a few studies have investigated the experience of loneliness from the perspectives of elderly people living in communities. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian elders of loneliness. A qualitative study using phenomenological approach was employed with four men and nine women living in their own houses. In‐depth interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using hermeneutic methods. The emerged themes were ‘an aversive emotional state’, ‘isolated from intimate relationships’, ‘being deprived from social and external support systems’ and ‘being abused and neglected’. Our study findings support the view that the experience of loneliness creates an aversive emotional state which is associated with negative and painful feelings. In addition, it was revealed that lack of access to intimate relationships and supportive systems as well as the experience of being abused and neglected were major factors contributing to the feelings of loneliness among Iranian elders. In terms of recommendation for practice, worldwide nurses are expected to be knowledgeable about the factors which increase feelings of loneliness. Alternatively, they should develop coping mechanisms among elders with the cooperation of their family members; also, attract community attention in order to improve social services in both quality and quantity.