LONELINESS AMONG THE NEVER AND FORMERLY MARRIED - THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIPS AND A DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Loneliness is an experience that is commonly associated with being old and without a partner. Results from a Dutch sample involving 131 unpa rtnered men and women between the ages of 65 and 75 indicate that the absence of friendship support rather than being single is an important determinant of loneliness. la accordance with the theory of mental in congruity, relationship standards and perceived opportunities for impr oving relationships are also shown to be significantly associated with loneliness. Older men and women without a partner are most vulnerable to loneliness when they have a high partner standard or a low singleh ood standard, and see few opportunities to change their situation (for example, as a result of experienced health restrictions). A better un derstanding of loneliness is obtained if,lot only the quality of relat ionships is considered, but also the degree of congruity between relat ionships and relationship standards, and the favorability of perceived opportunities for bringing about improvements.