Severity of loneliness, depression and perceived social support in adults in the empty nest stage of the family life cycle and the influence of using digital technology

Abstract

Purpose: Study aimed to identify association between loneliness, depression and perceived social support in adults living in the empty nest stage of family life cycle and to assess impact of digital technology use on the same.

Methods: In this hospital based cross-sectional study, we recruited 281 adults aged 50 years and above. Assessment of loneliness and depression was done using University of California Los Angeles Loneliness scale and Patient Health Questionnaire. Social support was assessed using Multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Digital technology use was assessed based on their self -reported use of mobile, or computer.

Results: Among the participants (age 50-75 years), women accounted for 57.7%. 71% of the adults were staying with the spouse, 85% of the participants reported lowincome status. Mean score (SD) of loneliness was 61.7(10.23). Only 17.8% were classified as having no to mild depression, while 52.7% reported low social support. Loneliness severity correlated significantly with depression severity (σ = 0.59, p = 0.000), and perceived social support (σ = -0.78, p = 0.000). Use of digital technology (72.9%) was associated with significantly lower loneliness score (U=4120.00, p = 0.000, lower depression score (U=5106.00, p = 0.000) and higher perceived social support (U=4366.00, p = 0.000).

Conclusion: Loneliness is present in adults in the empty nest stage of life cycle. Its severity positively correlated with depressive symptoms and negatively with perceived social support. Digital technology users seem to have lower loneliness, lower depression severity and higher social support compared to non-digital technology users.

Keywords: Depression screen; Empty nest syndrome; Family life; Indian adults; Loneliness; Technology use.