Relationship between Social Support, Loneliness, and Depression among Elderly People

Abstract

Abstract:Introduction:Agingis a sensitive period of human lifeso attention to their needs and issues is of greatest importance. Aim:To determine the relationship between social support, loneliness, and depression among elderly people. Methods:A descriptive-correlation research designwas used. The subjects consisted of 150 elderly persons who are selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studywascarried out in one randomly selected village (El Badala) from 23 village affiliated to El-Mansoura District, Egypt. Tools of data collection includedmini –mental state examination (MMSE), socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, UCLA loneliness scale, a multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) and the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Results:80% of elderlyreported moderate social support,86%of them reported amild feeling of loneliness, and56% of themreported mild depression. Conclusion:There was a positivesignificant, correlation between the level of loneliness and depression, while there was a negative correlation between social supportandloneliness, and between social supportand depression.Recommendation:Design an educational program for elders about the importance of social support to reduce loneliness and depression among them