Gender differences in the relationship between loneliness and health-related behavioral risk factors among the Hakka elderly in Fujian, China
Huajing Chang, Wenqian Ruan, Yating Chen, Longhua Cai, Xiaojun Liu
Abstract
Introduction To explore gender differences in the relationship between loneliness and health-related behavioral risk factors (BRFs) among the Hakka elderly. Methods Loneliness was measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale Short-form (ULS-8) . Seven BRFs were examined. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc tests were conducted to compare the differences in ULS-8 scores among the Hakka elderly with different BRFs. Generalized linear regression models were employed to examine the associations of specific BRF and its number with the ULS-8 scores among the Hakka elderly in male, female, and total samples. Results Physical inactivity ( B = 1.96, p < 0.001), insufficient leisure activities participation ( B = 1.44, p < 0.001), unhealthy dietary behavior ( B = 1.02, p < 0.001), and irregular sleep ( B = 2.45, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with the ULS-8 scores, whereas drinking ( B = −0.71, p < 0.01) was negatively associated with the ULS-8 scores in the total sample. In males, insufficient leisure activities participation ( B = 2.35, p < 0.001), unhealthy dietary behavior ( B = 1.39, p < 0.001), and irregular sleep ( B = 2.07, p < 0.001) were positively associated with the ULS-8 scores. In females, physical inactivity ( B = 2.69, p < 0.001) and irregular sleep ( B = 2.91, p < 0.001) was positively correlated with the scores of ULS-8, while drinking ( B = −0.98, p < 0.05) was negatively associated with the ULS-8 scores. More BRFs were significantly related to greater loneliness ( p < 0.001). Conclusion There are gender differences in the relationship between loneliness and BRFs among the Hakka elderly, and individuals with more BRFs were more likely to feel loneliness. Therefore, the co-occurrence of multiple BRFs requires more attention, and integrated behavioral intervention strategies should be adopted to reduce the loneliness of the elderly.