Loneliness of women in old age: in the example of women who participated in education at 60+ refreshment university Akdeniz University campus

Objective: Although the average lifespan of women is longer than that of men, leading to the expectation that elderly women should be more visible in society, factors such as gender roles, economic limitations, and family responsibilities restrict their participation in social activities. The 60+ Tazelenme University in our country has become one of the strategies to reduce feelings of loneliness among elderly women by providing opportunities for social participation. In this context, the study aims to examine the feelings of loneliness, social isolation, and unmet social relationships of elderly women participating in education at the 60+ Tazelenme University. Method: This study analyzed "feelings of loneliness," "social isolation," and "unmet social relationships" using correlation analysis and path analysis methods. Results: While age, marital status, social security, and residency status do not affect an individual's socioeconomic profile, education level and income status were found to have a statistically significant impact. Additionally, a statistically significant relationship was found between four demographic characteristics and the demographic life profile (age group, marital status, residency status, and income status). Conclusion: The study hypothesizes that feelings of loneliness in elderly women are influenced by two main factors. It is assumed that social isolation contributes to feelings of loneliness, but loneliness can also be felt when a person has a relatively large social circle but does not receive the expected support and satisfaction.