TY - JOUR
T1 - Loneliness in old age in Eastern and Western European societies: theoretical perspectives
AU - de Jong Gierveld, J.
AU - Tesch-Römer, C.
N1 - Reporting year: 2012
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Data from European countries participating in the Generations and Gender Surveys showed that mean
loneliness scores of older adults are higher in Eastern than in Western European countries. Although co-residence is considered as one of the fundamental types of social integration, and although co-residence is more common in Eastern Europe, the mean loneliness scores of older coresident
adults in Eastern Europe are still very high. This article investigates mechanisms behind the puzzling
between-country differences in social integration and loneliness. Firstly, the theoretical framework of loneliness is discussed starting from the individual’s perspective using the deficit and the
cognitive discrepancy approach and taking into account older adults’ deprived living conditions.
Secondly, mechanisms at the societal level are investigated: cultural norms, the demographical composition and differences in societal wealth and welfare. It is argued that an integrated theoretical model, as developed in this article, combining individual and societal level elements, is most relevant for understanding the puzzling reality around social integration and loneliness in countrycomparative
research. An illustration of the interplay of individual and societal factors in the emergence of loneliness is presented.
keywords: social integration; loneliness; co-residence; individual perspective; societal perspective; theoretical framework
AB - Data from European countries participating in the Generations and Gender Surveys showed that mean
loneliness scores of older adults are higher in Eastern than in Western European countries. Although co-residence is considered as one of the fundamental types of social integration, and although co-residence is more common in Eastern Europe, the mean loneliness scores of older coresident
adults in Eastern Europe are still very high. This article investigates mechanisms behind the puzzling
between-country differences in social integration and loneliness. Firstly, the theoretical framework of loneliness is discussed starting from the individual’s perspective using the deficit and the
cognitive discrepancy approach and taking into account older adults’ deprived living conditions.
Secondly, mechanisms at the societal level are investigated: cultural norms, the demographical composition and differences in societal wealth and welfare. It is argued that an integrated theoretical model, as developed in this article, combining individual and societal level elements, is most relevant for understanding the puzzling reality around social integration and loneliness in countrycomparative
research. An illustration of the interplay of individual and societal factors in the emergence of loneliness is presented.
keywords: social integration; loneliness; co-residence; individual perspective; societal perspective; theoretical framework
U2 - 10.1007/s10433-012-0248-2
DO - 10.1007/s10433-012-0248-2
M3 - Article
SN - 1613-9372
VL - 9
SP - 285
EP - 295
JO - European Journal of Ageing
JF - European Journal of Ageing
IS - 4
ER -