The effect of perceived social support on loneliness and hopelessness in the elderly

Introduction and aim: Social support is an important factor in reducing loneliness and hopelessness feelings of an individual. This study was conducted to determine the effect of perceived social support on loneliness and hopelessness in older people. Material and method: The population of this descriptive study consisted of older individuals who, for any reason, presented to the Central Family Health Center in the Reşadiye district of Tokat between November 2017 and April 2018. No sample was selected for the study and 326 individuals aged 65 and over who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The study data were collected by the investigator during the above-mentioned period through face-to-face interviews using a Descriptive Questionnaire, the MPSSS, the UCLA-LS, and the BHS. Results: The mean age of the subjects was found to be 74.03 ± 6.99.The mean total score obtained by the elderly from the MPSSS was 53.15±17.87, from the UCLA- LS 34.13±9.14 and from the BHS 10.23±5.33. The mean MPSSS total score was found to have a moderate negative correlation with the mean UCLA- LS score and a weak negative correlation with the mean BHS total score (p<0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between the mean UCLA-LS score and the mean BHS score (p<0.001). Conclusion: The levels of perceptions of social support, loneliness, and hopelessness were found to be moderate, low, and moderate, respectively. Social support was found to be an effective factor in reducing perceived loneliness and hopelessness and as loneliness increased, hopelessness also increased. Therefore, nurses working at family health centers are recommended to try to recognize loneliness and hopelessness feelings of the elderly correctly and at an early stage and provide consultancy services and support to families and older people to improve social support. Keywords: Nursing, Social support, Hopelessness, Loneliness, Aged.