Loneliness amongst Low-Socioeconomic Status Elderly Singaporeans and its Association with Perceptions of the Neighbourhood Environment

Liang En Wee, Tammy Yun Ying Tsang, Huso Yi, Sue Anne Toh, Geok Ling Lee, Jaime Yee, Shannon Lee, Kellynn Oen and Gerald Choon Huat Koh
Additional contact information
Liang En Wee: Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
Tammy Yun Ying Tsang: Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Huso Yi: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Sue Anne Toh: Regional Health System Planning and Development, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Geok Ling Lee: Department of Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
Jaime Yee: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Shannon Lee: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Kellynn Oen: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Gerald Choon Huat Koh: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: In Singapore, a densely urbanised Asian city state, more than 80% of the population stays in public housing estates and the majority (90%) own their own homes. For the needy who cannot afford home ownership, public rental flats are available. We were interested in exploring social-environmental factors that are associated with loneliness among elderly residents of public rental housing in Singapore. We surveyed residents aged ≥60 in two Singapore public housing precincts in 2016. Loneliness was measured using a three-item scale. Sociodemographic information was obtained via standardised questionnaires. We used chi-square to identify associations between loneliness and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as neighbourhood perceptions (safety, convenience and the physical environment), on univariate analysis; and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. The response rate was 62.1% (528/800). On multivariate analysis, staying in a rental flat block was independently associated with loneliness (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32–3.36), as was staying in a poorer physical environment (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.15–3.22). Although needy Singapore residents share the same built environment as more well-to-do neighbours, differences in the impact of loneliness do exist.

Keywords: loneliness; neighbourhood environment; social isolation; socioeconomic status (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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