TY - JOUR
T1 - Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Loneliness in Later Life to Inform Technology Development
AU - Rees, Jessica
AU - Liu, Wei
AU - Canson, Jiana
AU - Crosby, Lynda
AU - Tinker, Anthea
AU - Probst, Freya
AU - Ourselin, Sebastien
AU - Antonelli, Michela
AU - Molteni, Erika
AU - Mexia , Nikitia
AU - Shi, Yu
AU - Matcham, Faith
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024/9/20
Y1 - 2024/9/20
N2 - PURPOSE: Loneliness is a negative emotional state which is common in later life. The accumulative effects of loneliness have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of older adults. We aim to qualitatively explore the experiences of loneliness in later life and identify relevant behaviours and indicators which will inform novel methods of loneliness detection and intervention. METHODS: We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with people aged 65 and over between September 2022 and August 2023. Data were analysed using a reflective thematic approach with early theme development on NVIVO software. RESULTS: Three themes were identified from the experiences of loneliness in older adults. 1) Unique responses to loneliness, including crying, increased eating or drinking and sleep difficulties, 2) Age-related losses, such as networks, roles, and abilities to engage in activities reducing over time and 3) Individual differences in overcoming loneliness, where strategies such as keeping busy and adopting a positive mindset were impacted by motivation and mood of older adults. CONCLUSION: Distinct signs and relevant factors to loneliness in later life have been identified which can be detected by future sensing technologies. Findings of this in-depth qualitative study highlight that loneliness is a subjective experience requiring a holistic and person-centred approach to detection and intervention.
AB - PURPOSE: Loneliness is a negative emotional state which is common in later life. The accumulative effects of loneliness have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of older adults. We aim to qualitatively explore the experiences of loneliness in later life and identify relevant behaviours and indicators which will inform novel methods of loneliness detection and intervention. METHODS: We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with people aged 65 and over between September 2022 and August 2023. Data were analysed using a reflective thematic approach with early theme development on NVIVO software. RESULTS: Three themes were identified from the experiences of loneliness in older adults. 1) Unique responses to loneliness, including crying, increased eating or drinking and sleep difficulties, 2) Age-related losses, such as networks, roles, and abilities to engage in activities reducing over time and 3) Individual differences in overcoming loneliness, where strategies such as keeping busy and adopting a positive mindset were impacted by motivation and mood of older adults. CONCLUSION: Distinct signs and relevant factors to loneliness in later life have been identified which can be detected by future sensing technologies. Findings of this in-depth qualitative study highlight that loneliness is a subjective experience requiring a holistic and person-centred approach to detection and intervention.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204661446&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17482631.2024.2398259
DO - 10.1080/17482631.2024.2398259
M3 - Article
SN - 1748-2623
VL - 19
SP - 2398259
JO - International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being
JF - International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being
IS - 1
M1 - 2398259
ER -
