PERSONAL, BEHAVIOURAL AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF LONELINESS IN OLDER PEOPLE

Abstract

Objective: To identify the personal, behavioral and social determinants that prevent feelings of loneliness
from the perspective of older people participating in an active ageing program in the city of Madrid.
Materials and Methods: Qualitative study conducted in the year 2023. Twenty older people took part in the study. A semi-structured interview was used to address feelings of loneliness, based on the World Health Organization’s active ageing framework. Questions explored topics such as personal adaptation, health promotion and creating new social ties in line with this model. A thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas-ti v23 software, with data coded in stages and validity ensured by triangulation between researchers. Results: The personal factor with the greatest impact on reducing loneliness is coping, which includes the skills of tolerance, empathy and respect. Among behavioral factors, promoting physical and mental health is associated with greater well-being and less loneliness. Finally, the social determinant of creating new social ties prevents unwanted loneliness. Conclusions: Gerontological interventions on loneliness should continue to deepen group and community strategies and take the active ageing model as a frame of reference.