Understanding Elderly Loneliness: A Socio-Psychological Analysis in Bangladesh

Abstract Background: The process of urbanization, economic development, and the transition from extended to nuclear families in Bangladesh negatively affect the social, emotional, and psychological well-being of urban senior citizens. This paper aims to determine the social factors associated with the feeling of loneliness among urban senior citizens and identify their emotional challenges and coping mechanisms in a rapidly urbanizing developing country like Bangladesh. Studies on human loneliness and elderly are either quantitative or emphasize the epidemiological aspects of the phenomenon. There is a need for qualitative studies to better understand the effects of urbanization on the social and emotional aspects of the lives of the elderly population in the Global South. Methods: A qualitative case study method was used to interview 21 elderly people aged 60 years or Elderly. Observational data were collected to complement the interview data. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the interview data. Results: The study revealed that the process of urbanization, especially when associated with the transition from extended to nuclear families, results in the loss of social and intergenerational support networks that cause feelings of abandonment, uselessness, and loneliness among the elderly. Although the participants coped with the loneliness using such mechanisms as faith in God and engaging in regular social activities, such strategies could not eliminate their sense of isolation, which often aggravates their mental and physical health problems. Conclusion: The findings contribute to the understanding of the effects of urbanization on social support networks among the elderly in developing countries. At the local level, the findings will be used to develop recommendations on how urban senior citizens can cope with the adverse effects of urbanization. At a global level, the study adds to the limited literature on the social, emotional, and psychological effects of urbanization on the elderly. It also demonstrates the importance of using qualitative case study methods to conduct exploratory studies on social science issues, particularly in populations with little access to education and health services.