Moderating Role Of Hope In The Relationship Between Loneliness And Psychological Wellbeing Among The Aged

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of hope in the relationship between loneliness and psychological well-being among the aged. The cross-sectional survey method was adopted in which 100 aged people were purposively sampled. They were aged between 60-90 years with mean age of 68.58 (Std.=8.04). Data were collected using the Ryff’s Scales of Psychological well-being, the UCLA Loneliness Scale as well as the Snyder’s Adult Hope Scale. Analysis of the data was done using simple linear regression analysis and simple mediation analysis performed via Andrew F. Hayes’ Process Macro. It was found that there is a significant negative influence of loneliness on psychological well-being of the aged R=.547, R²=.299, F(1,98)=41.75, (β=-.547), p<.01. Findings further revealed that there is a significant positive influence of hope on psychological well-being of the aged R=.269, R²=.072, F(1,98)=7.644, (β=.269), p<.01). Finally, it was found that hope partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and psychological well-being of the aged (β =-.1512, 95%CI(-.0225 to -.1200). It was concluded that loneliness creates negative emotions which lowers psychological well-being of the aged people. Therefore, it was recommended that the government and other capable private individuals should establish institutions for the elderly where the aged people can come together and form a community of the elderly to promote their level of social interaction.