Effect of age and gender on sociability, loneliness and depression among older adults

Abstract

The aim of the study was to understand the effect of age and gender on sociability, loneliness and depression among older adults. The study was conducted in Kanpur Nager area of Uttar Pradesh. Using purposive sampling technique the questionnaire were administered to 65 elderly people between the ages of 61-80 years. Data was collected using interview method. Revised UCLA loneliness scale, Geriatric depression scale (GDS), and Berkman-Syme Social Network Index were used to asses loneliness, depression and sociability. The results suggested that gender had no effect on loneliness, depression and sociability. Age on the other hand had a significant impact on sociability, but the effect was not significant for depression and loneliness.