Retirement leisure: association of loneliness and social support network with depression in older adults – a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective To determine whether loneliness and social support network characteristics are associated with depression among retired older adults. Method An observational, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted. The sample comprised 144 older adults. The inclusion criterion was being an older adult with preserved communication ability and cognition, assessed using the Kahn Mental Status Questionnaire. Participants not meeting the criteria established by this instrument were excluded. The instruments used were the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-BR), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale (MOS-SSS). Sociodemographic variables included age, sex, religion, education, monthly income, marital status, falls in past month, polypharmacy, comorbidities, length of retirement, and self-rated health. Results Mild-to-moderate levels of loneliness (p<0.001), low emotional support (p<0.003), low affective support (p<0.002), and low positive social interaction (p<0.001), as well as the predictors presence of comorbidities (p<0.021), fair or poor perceived health (p<0.001), monthly income below the minimum wage (p<0.022), and being single (p<0.041), were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion The study revealed that loneliness, low emotional, affective and positive social interaction support, as well as comorbidities, poor perceived health, low income, and being single, increased vulnerability to depression among the retired older adults.