loneliness

Loneliness is a subjective and unpleasant experience associated to a variety of physical and mental health problems. Older people face an elevated risk of loneliness. It is measured through self‐reported questionnaires, among which the most widely used one is the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. The latest version of this scale is called UCLA‐3, and it has not been validated in Spanish elderly population. This article aims to present a validation study of the Spanish version of the UCLA‐3 for its use with older people, by establishing its reliability and validity. Data were obtained from the second wave of a longitudinal research conducted with older adults attending Lifelong Learning programs. The sample consisted of 335 people aged 55-years old or older. Sociodemographic data were collected, and loneliness was measured with the UCLA‐3 and the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Results have partially replicated a three factor structure already found in the literature in other populations. The present work provides relevant and innovative evidence, as this is the first time that the UCLA‐3 was analysed using ESEM statistical approach in a Spanish elderly sample.

The confinement caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic protects physical health, but in turn, has a long-lasting and far-reaching negative psychosocial impact; anxiety, stress, fear and depressive symptoms. All of these have a particular impact on vulnerable older people, putting them at serious risk of loneliness. Women report feeling lonelier than men, affecting women to a greater extent. The present study aims to analyze the efficacy of an integrative reminiscence intervention in older women living in nursing homes to reduce the effects of loneliness and depression after COVID-19. 34 older women living in nursing homes are included into study and were divided into intervention group (N = 14) and control group (N = 20). Results showed a significant reduction in perception of loneliness, depression and better positive affects, after the intervention. The pandemic has not yet finished and the most affected group has been the people living in nursing homes. These results show the need for evidence of interventions that can help the recovery of these people who have been so affected. The effects of loneliness during confinement and its psychological effects can be mitigated through such programs.