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Isolamento social e solidão em pessoas mais velhas a residir em contexto rural e em contexto urbano - um estudo comparativo
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Como sabemos, o envelhecimento populacional constitui um dos fenómenos demográficos mais marcantes das sociedades contemporâneas, criando novos desafios às políticas sociais e públicas, aos sistemas de saúde e à organização das comunidades. Neste contexto, temas como a solidão e o isolamento social assumem grande relevância, uma vez que estão associados a impactos significativos no bem-estar psicológico, na saúde e na qualidade de vida das pessoas mais velhas.
O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os níveis de isolamento social e de solidão em pessoas com 65 ou mais anos, tendo em conta o seu contexto territorial, rural ou urbano, bem como explorar a relação entre estas duas dimensões. Foi desenvolvido um estudo quantitativo transversal, baseado na aplicação de um inquérito por questionário a uma amostra de 119 participantes residentes num concelho da Região Norte de Portugal. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos validados: a Escala Breve de Redes Sociais de Lubben (LSNS-6), para avaliação do isolamento social, e a UCLA Loneliness Scale, para avaliação da solidão.
Os resultados evidenciam níveis globalmente moderados de integração social e níveis baixos a moderados de solidão na amostra. Foi possível verificar que os participantes residentes em contexto urbano apresentaram níveis mais elevados de solidão e redes sociais mais reduzidas quando comparados com os residentes em contexto rural. Observou-se ainda, uma correlação negativa significativa entre solidão e rede social, sugerindo que redes sociais mais extensas estão associadas a níveis de solidão mais baixos.
Estes resultados reforçam a importância das redes de apoio social na promoção de uma melhor qualidade de vida nas pessoas mais velhas, evidenciando a influência do contexto territorial nas experiências de isolamento social e solidão.
As is well known, population ageing constitutes one of the most significant demographic phenomena in contemporary societies, creating new challenges for social and public policies, healthcare systems, and the organisation of communities. In this context, issues such as loneliness and social isolation have gained increasing relevance, as they are associated with significant impacts on psychological well-being, health, and the quality of life of older adults. The present study aimed to analyse the levels of social isolation and loneliness among individuals aged 65 years and older, taking into account their territorial context, rural or urban, as well as to explore the relationship between these two dimensions. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted, based on the application of a questionnaire survey to a sample of 119 participants residing in a municipatily in the Northern Region of Portugal. Two validated instruments were used: the Lubben Social Network Scale – Short Version (LSNS-6), to assess social isolation, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, to measure loneliness. The results show overall moderate levels of social integration and low to moderate levels of loneliness within the sample. It was also found that participants living in urban contexts presented higher levels of loneliness and smaller social networks when compared to those living in rural contexts. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between loneliness and social network size was observed, suggesting that more extensive social networks are associated with lower levels of loneliness. These findings reinforce the importance of social support networks in promoting a better quality of life among older adults, while also highlighting the influence of territorial context on experiences of social isolation and loneliness.
As is well known, population ageing constitutes one of the most significant demographic phenomena in contemporary societies, creating new challenges for social and public policies, healthcare systems, and the organisation of communities. In this context, issues such as loneliness and social isolation have gained increasing relevance, as they are associated with significant impacts on psychological well-being, health, and the quality of life of older adults. The present study aimed to analyse the levels of social isolation and loneliness among individuals aged 65 years and older, taking into account their territorial context, rural or urban, as well as to explore the relationship between these two dimensions. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted, based on the application of a questionnaire survey to a sample of 119 participants residing in a municipatily in the Northern Region of Portugal. Two validated instruments were used: the Lubben Social Network Scale – Short Version (LSNS-6), to assess social isolation, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, to measure loneliness. The results show overall moderate levels of social integration and low to moderate levels of loneliness within the sample. It was also found that participants living in urban contexts presented higher levels of loneliness and smaller social networks when compared to those living in rural contexts. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between loneliness and social network size was observed, suggesting that more extensive social networks are associated with lower levels of loneliness. These findings reinforce the importance of social support networks in promoting a better quality of life among older adults, while also highlighting the influence of territorial context on experiences of social isolation and loneliness.