The Relationship Between Depression and Loneliness Among Homebound Older Persons: Does Spirituality Moderate This Relationship?

Abstract

Previous investigators have confirmed that loneliness is related to depression in late life. In this study we examined the potential buffering effects that spirituality might have on loneliness and depression among 40 older persons who lived alone and were homebound. The relationship between loneliness and depression was statistically significant, but the moderating effect of spirituality on this relationship was not statistically significant. We noted patterns based on an analysis of covariance that spirituality might potentially mitigate the effect of loneliness on depression under some circumstances. The findings suggest that spiritual resources might buffer the adverse effects of depression and loneliness among the current cohort of homebound older adults and might improve these older persons' mental health and quality of life.

KEYWORDS:

• depression
• loneliness
• older adults
• the homebound
• spirituality