Research News

The Experience of Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Men in Manitoba

January 2003: Madelyn Hall, Betty Havens, and Gina Sylvestre
The Aging in Manitoba Study

In 2002, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) supported a research endeavour by the Aging in Manitoba (AIM) research team at the University of Manitoba to investigate issues of social isolation (the lack of personal contacts with others) and social loneliness (the expression of dissatisfaction with the lack of social contacts) among older men.

The objectives of the research were:

• to define the experience of isolation and loneliness for older men and to suggest ways in which senior citizens and care providers could alleviate the impact such symptoms have on an older man's health and well-being;
• to examine the relationship between isolation, loneliness, and health and well-being;
• to explore the ways in which older men understand isolation and loneliness;
• and, finally, to develop recommendations for policy makers and program developers to ease social isolation and loneliness.

To investigate the issues of isolation and loneliness, AIM researchers conducted an analysis of health utilization and personal interview data. They also held 11 public meetings between 23 October 2001 and 18 February 2002 in which older men and their caregivers were invited to attend to discuss loneliness and isolation. Although the study participants were, for the most part, residing in Manitoba, the results of the study are applicable to the rest of Canada. The study participants, though centred in one geographic locale, represent the experience of older Canadian men (including his state of existence and mode of consciousness) that is common to the larger Canadian group.

The results of the study revealed that loneliness among older men was influenced by a number of factors, including widowhood, poor life satisfaction, chronic illness, few social contacts, and feelings that seniors are not accorded respect by the general public. The researchers also found an inter-relationship between isolation, loneliness, and health in that poor health increased levels of loneliness and that loneliness negatively affected health in both the short and long term.

For the full report, please visit http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/community_health_sciences/AIM/ or contact Michael Zinck at 902-566-8414 or michael.zinck@vac-acc.gc.ca.