The relationship between sleep quality and perceived social support with loneliness in elderly men

Abstract

Introduction: ageing period affect on variety of psychological and social factors like; social support, loneliness and quality of sleep. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between sleep quality and perceived social support with loneliness in elderly men. Method: The current study is descriptive research. 100 elderly men between 65 to 75 years old were selected by Available sampling method through district number 20 and the Jahandidegan centers of Tehran Municipality by 2015-2016. Data collection tools included mental state examination (MMSE), Screening subjects and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) ,loneliness questionnaire (UCLA) and perceived social support questionnaire were Zymt (MSPSS). In order to analyze data from tables descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and ,stepwise regression were used. Results: The results showed that there was a negative significant relationship between sleep quality and loneliness with perceived social support. Social protection alone is able to predict loneliness in elderly men and 58% of its variance was explained through it (p<0/01). In the second model, social support and quality sleep together have been able to predict 61 percent of the variance of loneliness (p<0/01). Conclusion: Attention to the quality of life, loneliness, and perceived social support among elderly men could be useful. The findings of this study focus on the role of social support in the elderly health care. Therefore, it is suggested to the psychologists and counselors to develop programs based on promotion of social support and prevention the loneliness and isolation in elderly men.