EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE URBAN ELDERLY PEOPLE OF ‘EMPTY NEST’ AND THEIR LONELINESS

[Objective] To analyze the relationship between ‘empty nest’ and loneliness of the urban elderly people and the factors which impact on the loneliness of elderly people. [Methods] 230 urban elders people in Yantai were surveyed with questionnaire, and cross-analysis and regression analysis were conducted. [Results] ‘Empty nest’ and the loneliness of the elderly people did not indicate significant correlation association. Majority of the elderly people would like not to live with their children; the communication between the two generation had influenced by the distance; the factors which impacted on the loneliness of elderly people were the marriage status, filial piety of children and the status of maintenance as well as the satisfaction degree of being taken care by their children. [Conclusion] In Yantai City, empty nest of the elderly people do not significantly affect their loneliness, and marital status and whether the children are filial piety for their parents are the most important factors on elderly loneliness. In addition, the distance from the elderly people living away with their children is the restrict factor.