Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-fqc5m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T14:03:59.774Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A review of loneliness: concept and definitions, determinants and consequences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1998

Jenny de Jong Gierveld
Affiliation:
Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI), The Hague, and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

The well-being of older adults in general, and their loneliness in particular, are important themes in recent discussions in the Western world. The social integration and participation of older adults in society are seen as indicators of productive aging, and the alleviation of loneliness forms part of policies aimed at achieving the goal of ‘successful’ aging. Discussions about loneliness date back to ancient times, when they were led by philosophers. They wrote primarily about ‘positive’ loneliness. This positive type of loneliness - as indicated in the concept of ‘Einsamkeit’ used in German literature until 1945 - is perceived to be related to the voluntary withdrawal from the daily hassles of life and oriented towards higher goals, such as reflection, meditation and communication with God.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)