The importance of emotional and social isolation to loneliness among very old rural adults

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of emotional and socialisolation to loneliness among very old rural adults. The sample (N = 119) was selected using acompact area cluster sampling design. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotionalisolation more specifically, the loss of spouse —accounted for more loneliness than social isolation. Hearing acuity and visits with siblings (social isolation variables) were alsosignificant predictors of loneliness. The implications for loneliness interventions are discussed.