Loneliness and psychological health of orthopaedic patients' caregivers: does gender make a difference?

Journal: Psychology, health & medicine

Volume: 22

Issue: 4

Year of Publication: 2018

Affiliated Institutions:  a Department of Psychology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria. b Department of Psychological Services , Medical Centre, University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.

Abstract summary 

Although research evidence indicates that loneliness is detrimental to mental health in diverse populations, impact of loneliness on psychological distress of orthopaedic patients' caregivers has been given little research attention. The present study examined the association of loneliness with psychological health, and explored gender differences in the loneliness and psychological health association among orthopaedic patients' caregivers. Participants were 250 patients' caregivers drawn from a national orthopaedic hospital in eastern Nigeria. Data was collected by means of self-report measures translated into the local dialect of the caregivers. Multiple regression results showed that loneliness positively predicted psychological distress in the total sample. Loneliness did not predict psychological distress of male caregivers, but it positively predicted psychological distress of female caregivers. In order to promote orthopaedic patients caregivers' mental health, gender-based differentials in the link between loneliness and psychological distress should be addressed by researchers and healthcare practitioners.

Authors & Co-authors:  Chukwuorji JohnBosco Chika JC Amazue Lawrence O LO Ekeh Okechukwu Hope OH

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1080/13548506.2016.1173711
SSN : 1465-3966
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Coping;gender;loneliness;orthopaedic patients;psychological health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
England