Date of Award

12-1995

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Dr. Ellen Page-Robin

Second Advisor

Dr. Gerald Markle

Third Advisor

Dr. Danny Thompson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study is an exploratory secondary analysis of loneliness experienced as a serious problem by the elderly. The secondary data were from the Davis (1986) national study conducted by Harris & Associates (1987) for the Commonwealth Fund Commission on Elderly People Living Alone. The independent demographic variables of living arrangements (living alone or living with others), age (65 to 85 and over), marital status (married, widowed, divorced, separated, and never married) and sex by the dependent variable of loneliness (a serious problem or not a serious problem) were measured by chi-squares and Cramer's V test for statistical significance. Results indicated that the demographic variables were statistically weak to moderate indicators of self-reported loneliness. Self-reported loneliness as a serious problem was moderately significant only for divorced females between the ages of 65 to 74 who were living with others.

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Sociology Commons

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