Perceived loneliness among elderly people

Pages: 553-557
Kiran Sahu (Department of Psychology, G.D.H.G. College, Moradabad, U.P.)
Deepika Gupta (Department of Basic Education, U.P.)

Loneliness is a complex and usually unpleasant emotional response to isolation or lack of companionship. Loneliness typically includes anxious feelings about a lack of connectedness or communality with other beings, both in the present and extending into the future. As such, loneliness can be felt even when surrounded by other people. The causes of loneliness are varied and include social, mental or emotional factors. The present study explored the level and difference between males and females regarding loneliness. Sample of one-twenty elderly people completed Perceived Loneliness Scale (PLS) questionnaire by Dr. Praveen Kumar Jha. Results showed the significant difference between males and females regarding loneliness but the mean values of males (102.5) and females (104.3) described that elder people experiences high level of loneliness and females showed slightly higher loneliness than males.