Australas J Ageing. 2025 Sep;44(3):e70083. doi: 10.1111/ajag.70083.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Globally, loneliness in older people has become a public health concern. This study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness, psychological resilience and depression in older adults in Hong Kong.
METHODS: This cross-sectional survey design study was conducted using a convenience sampling approach. Older people were recruited to complete three validated questionnaires: the DeJong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJLS), the Connor Davidson (CD RISC 10) Resilience Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
RESULTS: The survey was completed by 210 older people who were attending a social care centre. Older people who said they were lonely scored significantly lower (p < .001) on the CD RISC 10 (mean 31.7, SD 7.50) than those who said they were not (mean 36.5, SD 6.9). Conversely, participants who said they were lonely scored significantly higher (p < .001) on the GDS (mean 7.3, SD 3.3) than those who said they were not (mean 2.6, SD 2.9) and on the DJLS (mean 3.7 SD, 1.4 vs. mean 2.01, SD 1.5; p < .001). Scores for resilience correlated negatively with those for depression and loneliness. There was no correlation between any of the scales and the age of the respondents.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the important role resilience may play in relation to loneliness and depression in older people. Development of culturally specific resilience-building interventions may provide one approach to enhance psychological well-being, including the experience of loneliness in older people.
PMID:40847840 | DOI:10.1111/ajag.70083
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