Disparities in prevalence and risk indicators of loneliness between rural empty nest and non-empty nest older adults in Chizhou, China

Aim: The goal of the present study was to determine the disparities in prevalence and risk factors of loneliness between rural empty nest and non-empty nest older adults in Chizhou, China. Methods: A sample of 730 participants (381 empty nest older adults and 349 non-empty nest older adults) were surveyed using the University of California at Los Angeles-Loneliness Scale, the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Social Support Rate Scale, the Perceived Social Support from Family Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire abbreviated version. Results: The present study showed that the mean level of loneliness did significantly differ between empty nest older adults and non-empty nest older adults (41.52 +/- 6.98 vs 39.46 +/- 7.38). Empty nesters had significantly higher GDS scores; by contrast, they received lower objective, subjective and family support. Family support, objective support and social interaction were associated significantly with loneliness, which was more pronounced in empty nest older adults, excluding subjective support and psychological domain. The GDS scores (beta = 0.237, P < 0.001) and age (beta = -0.114, P = 0.002) showed stronger significant associations with loneliness in empty nest older adults. Conclusions: Loneliness obviously prevails among empty nest older adults than non-empty nest older adults. Depressive symptoms showed a stronger risk of empty nest older adults being lonely. Family support was suggested as a protective factor for loneliness in both groups. These findings should be considered when developing intervention strategies to reduce loneliness.