Barriers to social participation among lonely older adults: the influence of social fears and identity.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Loneliness among older adults is a major public health problem that may be associated with processes of social participation and identity. This study therefore sought to examine the relationship between social participation and identity in a sample of lonely older adults living independently in London, England. METHOD:An inductive qualitative approach, based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, was employed. RESULTS:Participants commonly spoke of barriers to social participation that have been reported elsewhere, including illness/disability, loss of contact with friends/relatives, lack of a supportive community, and lack of acceptable social opportunities. However, novel findings were also derived. In particular, participants commonly minimised the difficultie

SUBMITTER: Goll JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4338142 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature