Loneliness among grandparents caring for grandchildren in southern Myanmar

Loneliness is a global health concern, especially in lower- and middle-income countries, where rapid population ageing, migration and shifting caregiving roles are reshaping older adults’ social expectations. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between grandparental caregiving and loneliness in southern Myanmar, using the Social Relationship Expectations (SRE) framework to explore how unmet caregiving expectations contribute to loneliness. Analysing unique data from the 2017 Myanmar Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren Survey (N = 735), hierarchical logistic regression models were applied to examine the effects of caregiving indicators on loneliness, controlling for sociodemographic variables. Overall, 158 grandparents (21.5 per cent) reported feeling lonely in the past month. Grandparents with unmet SREs for support and generativity had higher odds of loneliness compared to those who had fulfilled SREs. Furthermore, grandparents who received support from neighbours or friends were more likely to feel lonely; this result was amplified among people who felt depressed and had functional limitations. Overall, our findings support the SRE framework, emphasising the role of perceived relationship expectations in shaping loneliness among caregiving grandparents. The study highlights the importance of contextual factors, including health and cultural caregiving norms, in understanding loneliness in ageing populations.