Association between Social Support and Three Types of Loneliness among Rural Older Adults in Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

Association between Social Support and Three Types of Loneliness among Rural Older Adults in Johor, Malaysia Siti Zuhaida Hussein*, Norazilah Khalip, Selamah Ismail, Mohammad Fariq Hatta Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000, Malaysia Abstract Background: Social support plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being and quality of life of older people. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 older adults residing in a rural district in Johor, Malaysia. A proportional stratified random sampling was used to examine the relationship between social support and three types of loneliness. The data were collected using the Short-Form Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults and Lubben Social Network Scale–6, with p < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics 26.0 for Windows. Results: More than half of the older adults in this rural area received social support from their family and friends. The results showed a significant relationship between family support and social (p < 0.01), emotional (p < 0.001), and family loneliness (p < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that social support from friends (p < 0.001) and family (p = 0.02) predicted significantly social loneliness. Family support is a significant predictor of emotional loneliness (p = 0.001), and friend support is a significant predictor of family loneliness (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The support from family members and friends is recommended to combat loneliness in older adults. Keywords: elderly, loneliness, social support