IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v16y2019i6p967-d214864.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Loneliness amongst Low-Socioeconomic Status Elderly Singaporeans and its Association with Perceptions of the Neighbourhood Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Liang En Wee

    (Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
    Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore)

  • Tammy Yun Ying Tsang

    (Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Huso Yi

    (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Sue Anne Toh

    (Regional Health System Planning and Development, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Geok Ling Lee

    (Department of Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore)

  • Jaime Yee

    (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Shannon Lee

    (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Kellynn Oen

    (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Gerald Choon Huat Koh

    (Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

Abstract

In Singapore, a densely urbanised Asian city state, more than 80% of the population stays in public housing estates and the majority (90%) own their own homes. For the needy who cannot afford home ownership, public rental flats are available. We were interested in exploring social-environmental factors that are associated with loneliness among elderly residents of public rental housing in Singapore. We surveyed residents aged ≥60 in two Singapore public housing precincts in 2016. Loneliness was measured using a three-item scale. Sociodemographic information was obtained via standardised questionnaires. We used chi-square to identify associations between loneliness and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as neighbourhood perceptions (safety, convenience and the physical environment), on univariate analysis; and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. The response rate was 62.1% (528/800). On multivariate analysis, staying in a rental flat block was independently associated with loneliness (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32–3.36), as was staying in a poorer physical environment (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.15–3.22). Although needy Singapore residents share the same built environment as more well-to-do neighbours, differences in the impact of loneliness do exist.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang En Wee & Tammy Yun Ying Tsang & Huso Yi & Sue Anne Toh & Geok Ling Lee & Jaime Yee & Shannon Lee & Kellynn Oen & Gerald Choon Huat Koh, 2019. "Loneliness amongst Low-Socioeconomic Status Elderly Singaporeans and its Association with Perceptions of the Neighbourhood Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:967-:d:214864
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/967/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/967/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lixia Ge & Chun Wei Yap & Reuben Ong & Bee Hoon Heng, 2017. "Social isolation, loneliness and their relationships with depressive symptoms: A population-based study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Ruby Yu & Osbert Cheung & Kevin Lau & Jean Woo, 2017. "Associations between Perceived Neighborhood Walkability and Walking Time, Wellbeing, and Loneliness in Community-Dwelling Older Chinese People in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Anna Wong & Anson K. C. Chau & Yang Fang & Jean Woo, 2017. "Illuminating the Psychological Experience of Elderly Loneliness from a Societal Perspective: A Qualitative Study of Alienation between Older People and Society," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Liang En Wee & Yun Ying Tammy Tsang & Sook Muay Tay & Andre Cheah & Mark Puhaindran & Jaime Yee & Shannon Lee & Kellynn Oen & Choon Huat Gerald Koh, 2019. "Perceived Neighborhood Environment and Its Association with Health Screening and Exercise Participation amongst Low-Income Public Rental Flat Residents in Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jean Woo, 2017. "How Can We Achieve Healthy Aging?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-2, December.
    2. Kazuki Seko & Michiyo Hirano, 2021. "Predictors and Importance of Social Aspects in Ikigai among Older Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Lígia Passos & Filipe Prazeres & Andreia Teixeira & Carlos Martins, 2020. "Impact on Mental Health Due to COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal and Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Lilly, Jenn M., 2022. "“It doesn’t matter how good the school is if you don’t learn to socialize”: Latinx immigrant students’ testimonios of coping with social isolation in high school," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. Karacaoğlu Sıla, 2024. "Searching for Life Satisfaction in Nature through Tourism: An Exploratory Research on Hikers," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 14(1), pages 140-152.
    6. Kung, Claryn S.J. & Pudney, Stephen E. & Shields, Michael A., 2022. "Economic gradients in loneliness, social isolation and social support: Evidence from the UK Biobank," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    7. Mirna Zordan & Jin Yeu Tsou & Hao Huang, 2023. "Street Vibrancy and Outdoor Activities under COVID-19 Psychological Distress: Lessons from Hong Kong," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, October.
    8. Amy H. I. Lee & He-Yau Kang, 2019. "A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Senior Daycare Center Locations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-21, December.
    9. De Jesus, Maria & Ware, Deanna & Brown, Andre L. & Egan, James E. & Haberlen, Sabina A. & Palella, Frank Joseph & Detels, Roger & Friedman, M. Reuel & Plankey, Michael W., 2021. "Social-environmental resiliencies protect against loneliness among HIV-Positive and HIV- negative older men who have sex with men: Results from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    10. R. Gordon Rinderknecht & Daniela V. Negraia & Sophie Lohmann & Emilio Zagheni, 2023. "Understanding the growth of solitary leisure in the U.S., 1965 – 2018," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2023-025, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    11. Kong, Nancy & Lam, Jack, 2024. "Physical isolation and loneliness: Evidence from COVID lock-downs in Australia," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 598-623.
    12. Wallace, Lacey N., 2023. "Parenting practices and adolescent delinquency: COVID-19 impact in the United States," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    13. Katharina Dost & Fabian Heinrich & Wiebke Graf & Anna Brennecke & Veronika Kowalski & Anna Leider & Anika Kraus & Victoria van Rüth & Benjamin Ondruschka & Klaus Püschel & Hans-Helmut König & Franzisk, 2022. "Predictors of Loneliness among Homeless Individuals in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.
    14. Iria Dobarrio-Sanz & Crístofer Ruiz-González & Cayetano Fernández-Sola & Pablo Roman & José Granero-Molina & Jose Manuel Hernández-Padilla, 2021. "Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Loneliness amongst Older Adults: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    15. Teck Hong Tan & Izian Idris, 2023. "Assessing the significance of first place and online third places in supporting Malaysian seniors’ well-being during the pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    16. Bojing Liao & Xiang Li, 2023. "Neighborhood Environment and Affective Walking Experience: Cluster Analysis Results of a Virtual-Environment-Based Conjoint Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
    17. Louise Mansfield & Christina Victor & Catherine Meads & Norma Daykin & Alan Tomlinson & Jack Lane & Karen Gray & Alex Golding, 2021. "A Conceptual Review of Loneliness in Adults: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-19, November.
    18. Claryn S. J. Kung & Johannes S. Kunz & Michael A. Shields, 2021. "Economic Aspects of Loneliness in Australia," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(1), pages 147-163, March.
    19. Hwanseok Choi & Michelle Brazeal & Likhitha Duggirala & Joohee Lee, 2022. "Loneliness and depression among adults living on MS Gulf Coast: Individual, interpersonal and community predictors," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(1), pages 108-117, February.
    20. Keisuke Fujii & Yuya Fujii & Yuta Kubo & Korin Tateoka & Jue Liu & Koki Nagata & Shuichi Wakayama & Tomohiro Okura, 2021. "Association between Occupational Dysfunction and Social Isolation in Japanese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-9, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:967-:d:214864. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.