Abstract
Loneliness of the older adults is defined as their inability to establish, and maintain satisfying relationships with others and is a widespread phenomenon, and associated with poor health status. The study aimed to investigate loneliness in Iranian older Kazaks, and its relationship with their health status. This is a descriptive-analytical investigation conducted among 234 Iranian older Kazaks selected through convenience sampling in 2020. Data collection tools included demographic, and health information questionnaires, and 21-items Loneliness Scale. The mean score of loneliness was 51.77 (SD = 6.113), and its cut-off point was 44.5. Health index had a significant and inverse relationship with loneliness (OR = 2.347, P = 0.001). Living alone, hypertension, and gender (OR = 5.034, 4.107, and 4.099, respectively) were the predictors of loneliness. In addition, general health and living alone showed significant relationship with loneliness. Providing conditions to Kazaks ethnic minority was suggested to keep them active in the community.
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Data Availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
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Acknowledgments
We wish to thank colleagues and the anonymous referees for their valuable comments. We also like to thank Dr. Hangeldi ownuk, Ghorban Sehat Badakhshan,Vali Mohammad Khojeh, Mehdi Kargar,Dr. Maya Samizade, Ana Dordi Onsori,Abdi maheri and Zahra Shadkam for assistance.
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This study was registered at Ethics Committee of Golestan University of Medical Sciences with ethical N0: IR.GOUMS.REC.1399.285.
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OG has contributed to performing the interviews, written the Introduction and Discussion section; AA has supervised the program and designed the sections of Methods, Instrument and Results. MY, ABA, and AC have written the Methods and Instrumentation section. All authors have approved the final manuscript as well.
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Asadollahi, A., Ghajari, O., Yarelahi, M. et al. Relationship between health status and loneliness among Kazak older adults in Iran: A cross-sectional study on their sense of loneliness. Curr Psychol 42, 20824–20832 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03127-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03127-6