Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Older Adults in Primorsko-Goranska County

Background: Ageing is accompanied by physical, psychological and social changes that can negatively affect the quality of life of older adults. Loneliness is one of the most important psychosocial problems in later life and is closely related to lower life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between subjective loneliness and quality of life in older adults in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, taking into account gender and living arrangments. Methods: A random sample of 153 adults aged 65 years and older participated in the study. Quality of life was assessed using the Personal Wellbeing Index – Adult (PWI-A) and loneliness was measured using the short version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U test, performed in Statistica 14.0. Results: A significant negative correlation was found between loneliness and quality of life (r = –0.448; p < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between loneliness and quality of life (r = –0.448; p < 0.01). Women reported significantly higher levels of subjective well-being than men (p < 0.05), while no significant gender difference was observed for loneliness. No significant differences were found based on living arrangement (living alone vs. with others) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results confirm that loneliness significantly affects the subjective well-being of older adults. Gender differences were observed in subjective well-being but not in loneliness. Living arrangement did not show a strong influence. These results emphasize the need for targeted strategies and psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and improving quality of life in ageing populations.