An investigation of social isolation and well-being among the elderly
The present study investigated the relationship of objective indicators of social isolation and measures of well-being among the elderly. Respondents consisted of 135 elderly men and women aged 60 and older chosen from the roster of a dental office. The objective indicators included living alone, having no companions, having no confidants, closeness of confidants, having no children, and marital status. Measures of well-being included a life experience scale, a health status scale, a quality of life scale, a satisfaction scale, and a scale that measured material comforts. Results of a canonical correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship among the indicators and well-being. Further analysis using multiple regression revealed a weak relationship between perceived life satisfaction and closeness with confidants. The findings suggest that many previously used objective indicators may be unreliable in detecting the socially isolated. Reliable future research is needed.
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