Loneliness among older adults living in nursing homes in Portugal: a cross-sectional study

Introduction : Loneliness among older adults’ residents in Portuguese Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI) is a significant public health concern, exacerbated by increased life expectancy, chronic diseases, and reduced social networks. This study aims to explore loneliness and its associated factors, highlighting the role of specialized nursing in promoting health and quality of life for institutionalized older adults’ individuals. Method This exploratory study, conducted between November 2020 and July 2021, collected quantitative data from 157 elderly ERPI residents (aged ≥ 65 years) using intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The UCLA-Loneliness Scale assessed loneliness, and a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire characterized the sample. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0, with descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests for normality, and inferential tests (Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, Fisher’s exact) to explore variable relationships. Results The sample (65.6% female, mean age 84.6 years) showed a high prevalence of negative loneliness feelings (UCLA mean score 35.5, cutoff > 32), particularly among those aged ≥ 85, widowed individuals, and those with multimorbidity (67.5%). A significant association was found between loneliness and multimorbidity (p = 0.016), but not with sociodemographic variables. Women and older participants exhibited higher dependency and loneliness scores. Conclusion Loneliness is prevalent among ERPI residents, with multimorbidity as a key predictor. Specialized nursing is pivotal in implementing holistic, evidence-based interventions to mitigate loneliness, promote self-care, and enhance well-being.