Abstract
The main argument of this paper is that the subjective experience of loneliness among older people must be analyzed in relation to the overall value system of society or the subcultural values of particular segments of society. Cultural or subcultural value systems are contrasted in terms of whether they give priority to individualistic values or to collective values such as family or community bonds. These differences in value systems result in important differences in people's social contacts and socioemotional bonding experiences as well as their level of satisfaction with a given level of social relationships. It is suggested that these differences must be looked at in relation to basic human needs for social bonding as well as needs for individuation. The concept of the loneliness threshold is introduced to identify the level of social contacts that individuals desire to avoid the experience of loneliness or emotional isolation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References Cited
Andersson, L. 1984 Aging and Loneliness: An Interventional Study of a Group of Elderly. Stockholm: Karolinska Institute.
Bellah, R. N., R. Madsen, W. M. Sullivan, A. Swidler and S. M. Tipton 1985 Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. New York: Harper and Row.
Berg, S., D. Mellstrom, G. Persson and A. Svanborg 1981 Loneliness in the Swedish Aged. Journal of Gerontology 36: 342–349.
Berger, B. and P. L. Berger 1983 The War Over the Family: Capturing the Middle Ground. Garden City, New York: Anchor-Doubleday.
Brody, E. M., M. H. Kleban and B. Liebowitz 1975 Intermediate Housing for the Elderly: Satisfaction of Those Who Moved and Those Who Did Not. The Gerontologist 12: 350–356.
Bronson, E. P. 1972 An Experiment in Intermediate Housing Facilities for the Elderly. The Gerontologist 12: 22–26.
Conner, K. A., E. A. Powers and G. L. Bultena 1979 Social Interaction and Life Satisfaction: An Empirical Assessment of Latelife Patterns. Journal of Gerontology 34: 116–121.
Creecy, R. F., W. E. Berg and R. Wright Jr. 1985 Loneliness Among the Elderly: A Causal Approach. Journal of Gerontology 40: 487–493.
Eddy, P. D. 1982 Loneliness: A Discrepancy with the Phenomenological Self. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. P. 144. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Fishbein, G. 1975 Congregate Housing — With a Difference. Geriatrics 30: 124–128.
Harel, Z. and B. B. Harel 1978 On-Site Coordinated Services in Age-Segregated and Age-Integrated Public Housing. The Gerontologist 18: 153–157.
Harris, L. and Associates 1981 Aging in the Eighties: America in Transition. Washington, D.C.: National Council on the Aging.
Larsen, R., J. Zuzanek and R. Mannell 1985 Being Alone Versus Being with People: Disengagement in the Daily Experience of Older Adults. Journal of Gerontology 40: 375–381.
Lopata, H. Z. 1969 Loneliness: Forms and Components. Social Problems 248–262.
Lopata, H. Z., G. D. Heinemann and J. Baum 1982 Loneliness: Antecedents and Coping Strategies in the Lives of Widows. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. Pp. 310–326. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Lowenthal, M. F. and B. Robinson 1976 Social Networks and Isolation. In Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences R. H. Binstock and E. Shanas, eds. Pp. 432–456. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Mullins, L. C. and N. McNicholas 1986 Loneliness Among the Elderly: Issues and Considerations for Professionals in Aging. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education 7 (forthcoming).
Mullins, L. C. and D. P. Johnson 1986 Loneliness of the Elderly: The Impact of Family and Friends. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality (forthcoming).
Parsons, T. 1951 The Social System. New York: Free Press.
Peplau, L. A., T. K. Bikson, K. S. Rook and J. D. Goodchilds 1982 Being Old and Living Alone. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. Pp. 327–347. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Peplau, L. A., M. Miceli and B. Morasch 1982 Loneliness and Self-Evaluation. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. Pp. 135–151. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Perlman, D., A. C. Gerson and B. Spinner 1978 Loneliness Among Senior Citizens: An Empirical Report. Essence 2: 239–248.
Retsinas, J. and P. Garrity 1985 Nursing Home Friendships. The Gerontologist 25: 376–381.
Revenson, T. A. and J. L. Johnson 1984 Social and Demographic Correlates of Loneliness in Late Life. American Journal of Community Psychology 12: 71–85.
Schwartz, A. N. 1975 Planning Micro-Environments for the Aged. In Aging: Scientific Perspectives and Social Issues. D. S. Woodruff and J. E. Birren, eds. Pp. 279–294. New York: D. Van Nostrand.
Sermat, V. 1978 Sources of Loneliness. Essence 2: 271–276.
Shanas, E. 1979 Social Myth as Hypothesis: The Case of the Family Relations of Old People. The Gerontologist 19: 3–10.
Sherman, S. R. 1975a Mutual Assistance and Support in Retirement Housing. Journal of Gerontology 30: 479–483.
Sherman, S. R. 1975b Patterns of Contact for Residents of Age-Segregated and Age-Integrated Housing. Journal of Gerontology 30: 103–107.
Shultz, N. R. Jr. and D. Moore 1984 Loneliness: Correlates, Attributes and Coping Among Older Adults. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 10:67–77.
Stephans, M. A. P. and M. Bernstein 1984 Social Support and Well-Being Among Residents of Planned Housing. The Gerontologist 24: 144–148.
Townsend, P. 1968 Isolation, Desolation and Loneliness. In Old People in Three Industrial Societies. E. Shanas, P. Townsend, D. Wedderburn, H. Friis, P. Milhoy and J. Stehouwer, eds. Pp. 258–287. New York: Atherton Press.
Townsend, P. 1973 Isolation and Loneliness in the Aged. In Loneliness: The Experience of Emotional and Social Isolation. R. Weiss, ed. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT.
Weiss, R. S. 1982 Issues in the Study of Loneliness. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. Pp. 71–80. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Williams, R. M. Jr. 1957 American Society: A Sociological Interpretation. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Young, J. E. 1982 Loneliness, Depression and Cognitive Therapy: Theory and Application. In Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. L. A. Peplau and D. Perlman, eds. Pp. 379–405. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We would like to express our appreciation to this journals anonymous reviewers for their critiques and constructive suggestions.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Johnson, D.P., Mullins, L.C. Growing old and lonely in different societies: Toward a comparative perspective. J Cross-Cultural Gerontol 2, 257–275 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160684
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160684