THE IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL-ISOLATION TO LONELINESS AMONG VERY OLD RURAL ADULTS

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of emotional and social isolation to loneliness among very old rural adul ts. The sample (N = 119) was selected using a compact area cluster sam pling design. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotional isola tion - more specifically, the loss of spouse - accounted for more lone liness than social isolation. Hearing acuity and visits with siblings (social isolation variables) were also significant predictors of lonel iness. The implications for loneliness interventions are discussed.