"Old Age and Loneliness" was discussed at the "6th International Symposium on Loneliness"
The "6th International Loneliness Symposium" organized by Üsküdar University with the main theme of "Old Age and Loneliness" also revealed the findings of the study titled "Loneliness of the Elderly in Türkiye: Research Results"!
The research, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 800 participants (400 women and 400 men) in 30 cities across Türkiye, yielded interesting results. When participants, the youngest being 60 years old, were asked the question "How lonely do you feel?", 34% stated that they "did not feel lonely," 34% said they "sometimes feel lonely," and 32% responded that they "often feel lonely."
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that "The term 'crowded loneliness' was chosen as the word of the year. Why do people feel lonely in a crowd? This is a result that is uncharacteristic of Turkish culture and Anatolian wisdom."
Prof. Nazife Güngör stated that "The issue is not just becoming lonely when one gets older, but rather that from the moment personality begins to form, each individual starts to prefer loneliness."
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that "16% of the elderly in Türkiye live alone. This rate rises to 23% among elderly women."
The "6th International Loneliness Symposium," organized by Üsküdar University with the main theme of "Old Age and Loneliness," was held this year at the Üsküdar University Main Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
The congress, which was also streamed live on ÜÜTV and Üsküdar University's YouTube account, was opened with speeches by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, and Symposium Organizing Committee Chair Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı from the Department of Sociology.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “This is a result that is uncharacteristic of Turkish culture and Anatolian wisdom”
President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan referred to the word "crowded loneliness" chosen by the Turkish Language Association and said that "The term 'crowded loneliness' was selected as the word of the year. This was actually a big surprise. It turned out to be a good coincidence that it fits with the theme of our congress. It shows that there is a significant need for this congress. Why was this word chosen in Türkiye? We, as a society, are a community with close relationships. We are a society where people visit neighbors without notice. So, why has this happened? Why do people feel lonely in a crowd? This is a result that is uncharacteristic of Turkish culture and Anatolian wisdom."
Elderly suicides...
Pointing out that Japan has the highest rate of elderly suicides, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that "This is increasing all over the world. This is a painful reality, a global reality. In the UK, a person who died at home was found dead 3 years later, with no one having checked on them. In a study by the University of Manchester and BBC on loneliness and happiness, they ask the question of loneliness. The percentage of people over 75 who say 'I feel very lonely' is 27%, and among those aged 16-24, it is 40%. Therefore, young people aged 16-24 feel very lonely."
The increasing fear, decreasing trust, and visible psychological are causes of loneliness...
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that “The most important factor in the increase of loneliness is the weakening of the sense of trust in society. In places where trust is weakened, individuals feel lonely. Trust is built through close relationships. A person must be sure they won’t be betrayed. Previously, we used to call the family a 'house of love,' but now we call it a 'house of trust.' Wherever a person feels safe, they find peace. Where there is trust, fear diminishes. The increase in fear and the decrease in trust are among the most visible psychological causes of loneliness today.”
Referring to the importance of the concept of friendship in our culture, Tarhan remarked that “There is no equivalent of the word ‘dost’ in English. In Turkish, we have the word 'dost,' which has a unique meaning.”
The side-effect-free medicine: Friendship...
Prof. Tarhan also highlighted that when trust is weakened, people tend to withdraw into themselves. Tarhan stated that “Many parents raise their children by saying, ‘Do not trust anyone,’ and when the child grows up with this mentality, loneliness emerges. I think that if efforts are made to address the issue of trust, we will have approached a significant root cause of loneliness. Therefore, loneliness is a growing issue, but the side-effect-free medicine is friendship. It alleviates pain without side effects. It is good for depression. Friendship is such a medicine that it is good for depression, but it does not numb the person. It alleviates pain and has no side effects. It is a very powerful medicine.”
Prof. Nazife Güngör: "Loneliness is a very important issue of our time"
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör expressed that loneliness is one of the most important issues of our time and stated that “Especially with modernization and the urbanization that started alongside it, loneliness has become a human issue, a social problem. Loneliness also began to emerge with the mass migration to cities and the formation of crowds in urban areas, and people started to remain lonely. This actually seems like a contradiction. On one hand, you are in crowds; however, on the other hand, everyone in those crowds is, in a way, also lonely.”
"Now, virtualization has entered the process of loneliness"
Prof. Nazife Güngör noted that each of us lives in a severe crowd and stated that "Now, virtualization has entered the process of loneliness. Each of us is, in a way, alone within our own crowds. We are no longer part of friendships and relationships. We have become deprived of these connections. On the other hand, we are in a strange situation within virtual crowds. There is no touch, no flow of emotion, no flow of spirit, no meaningful relationships. This leads to a significant crisis of trust. In a way, we are all insecure."
The issue is not just aging into loneliness but choosing it during personality development
Prof. Nazife Güngör remarked, "The issue is not just becoming lonely as we age. It’s about each individual starting to prefer loneliness as their personality begins to form, preferring loneliness within the family and society. This is perhaps, in a way, becoming an ideology in itself, that is, loneliness and the promotion of loneliness."
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı: "The proportion of the elderly in the total population reached 10.2% as of 2023"
Sociology Department Faculty Member Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Chair of the Symposium Organizing Committee, stated that the population over the age of 60 is rapidly increasing worldwide and added that "In Türkiye, the proportion of the elderly in the total population reached 10.2% as of 2023."
Prof. Süleymanlı pointed out the increasing number of elderly individuals living alone in their homes and stated that "In Türkiye, 16% of the elderly live alone. This rate rises to 23% among elderly women. Factors such as the passing of one spouse, changes in the traditional elderly support system within families, and the reluctance of the elderly to live with younger generations contribute to this increase in elderly people living alone."
Addressing the rise in emotional loneliness, Prof. Süleymanlı explained that "Research shows that elderly individuals who do not receive adequate attention and love from their families can feel lonely even when they are with family members. Elderly individuals often spend long periods alone, even when they share the same household, due to the busy work lives of family members. Indifference, neglect, and even domestic violence from relatives, along with the resulting feelings of worthlessness, are identified as the primary causes of this situation."
Loneliness as a risk factor for increased stroke likelihood
Prof. Süleymanlı emphasized that studies have shown the increase in chronic loneliness is a serious issue not only for the elderly but for other age groups as well, often linked to reduced trust in others. He added that "This state of loneliness in the elderly, according to scientific research, indicates that prolonged loneliness leads to various physical and mental health issues, acts as a risk factor increasing the likelihood of stroke, and even shows shrinkage in memory regions of the brain. This contributes to the development of memory loss, dementia, and many other illnesses."
Are we ready for solitary aging?
In the first session, moderated by Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin, the following presentations were delivered: Prof. Erol Göka from the Faculty of Medicine at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, discussed "Are We Ready for Solitary Aging? Is It Bad?"; Prof. Harun Ceylan from Yalova University presented "Aging and Loneliness in Europe", Bülent Karakuş from the General Directorate of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, Ministry of Family and Social Services, delivered "Solitary Elderly and Provided Services"; filmmaker Orhan Emek examined "Themes of Loneliness and Old Age in Turkish Cinema After the 2000s"; Assoc. Prof. Serap Bayram from Düzce University shared insights on "Loneliness and Its Effects in Older Adults", and Asst. Prof. Sıla Ayam from Gelişim University discussed "Innovative Interventions Against Loneliness in the Elderly."
Prof. Erol Göka noted the continued increase in average life expectancy and highlighted that a significant portion of the elderly population experiences chosen solitude and stated that “Türkiye has entered the category of very aged countries.”
"Loneliness among the elderly in Türkiye: research findings" announced
During the symposium, "Loneliness Among the Elderly in Türkiye: Research Findings" was presented by Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin, and Hale Aslı Kılıç from Method Research Company.
800 elderly individuals interviewed across 30 provinces
Conducted to examine levels of loneliness among the elderly, the meaning and causes of loneliness, the research involved face-to-face interviews with 800 participants (400 women and 400 men) aged 60 and above in 30 provinces across Türkiye between October and December 2024.
Only 3 out of 10 elderly do not feel lonely
Among participants, 68% were married, while 32% were single, widowed, or divorced. Asked, "How lonely do you feel?" 34% said "not lonely," 34% "sometimes lonely," and 32% "frequently lonely." Compared to a similar study in 2022, the percentage of "not lonely" respondents decreased from 36% to 34%, while "frequently lonely" increased from 34% to 36%.
Who feels lonelier?
Findings revealed that 25% of married individuals, 47% of singles, widowed, or divorced participants, 31% of those with children, and 46% of those without children felt lonely. Among those living alone, 57% reported loneliness, compared to 25% of those living with others. Additionally, 31% of pet owners and 32% of non-pet owners experienced loneliness. Those with poor health (40%) and chronic illnesses (57%) also reported higher loneliness rates.
What does loneliness evoke?
When asked, "What comes to mind when you think of loneliness?" 85% of participants mentioned negative emotions such as boredom, anxiety, unhappiness, solitude, and pessimism.
How do they spend their free time?
Regarding leisure activities, 98% engaged in individual activities, 54% in outdoor activities, 47% in communication-focused activities, 30% in spiritual activities, 30% in personal development, 15% in sports, and 9% in artistic pursuits.
Number of friends with regular contact
42% of respondents had regular contact with four or more friends, 22% with two, 18% with three, 10% with one, and 9% had no friends.
Confidants and conversation partners
Participants’ confidants included friends (54%), children (32%), spouses (27%), siblings (16%), neighbors (13%), relatives (11%), mothers (2%), daughters-in-law (1%), lovers (1%), and sons-in-law (1%). By gender, 46% of women and 62% of men listed friends as their primary confidants.
Perceptions of loneliness syndrome
Regarding perceptions of social isolation associated with loneliness syndrome, 62% positively viewed their interaction with society, while 45% reported feeling misunderstood in close relationships, and 68% had a positive sense of having reliable connections.
Sources of happiness
When asked, "Who makes you happiest in life?" 56% responded "children," 35% "grandchildren," and 34% "spouse." Women primarily chose "children" (68%), while men highlighted "spouse" (44%), "children" (44%), and "grandchildren" (29%).
Losing a loved one
57% of respondents had lost a loved one, with 27% citing relatives, 21% siblings, 20% spouses, 20% mothers, 15% friends, 14% fathers, 9% neighbors, and 5% children. Among widowed participants, 49% felt lonely, compared to 25% of those with living spouses.
6 out of 10 use WhatsApp
Among social media users, 58% had WhatsApp accounts, followed by Facebook (55%), Instagram (43%), YouTube (19%), Twitter (8%), TikTok (5%), and Telegram (1%). Additionally, 28% of social media users reported feeling lonely.
Perception of quality of life
The study also assessed quality of life. To the question, "How anxious are you about how you will die?" 48% expressed low levels of concern. Regarding satisfaction with social participation activities, 40% were moderately satisfied. Additionally, 42% were moderately satisfied with their ability to lead a successful life, and 44% believed they were moderately able to achieve what they wanted.
Life satisfaction
Regarding life satisfaction, 42% of participants reported being "satisfied," 23% "neutral," 19% "very satisfied," 8% "not at all satisfied," and 7% "dissatisfied."
"A gerontological approach to loneliness: biopsychosocial support and social participation" panel
The symposium also featured a panel titled "A Gerontological Approach to Loneliness: Biopsychosocial Support and Social Participation," moderated by Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan. Speakers included Assoc. Prof. Yüksel Erdal from Bezmialem Hospital, Öznur Sarıahmetoğlu from Eyüp Municipality Social Services Directorate, Tuğçe Tıngır from Şişli Municipality, and Ümmügül Geyik from the Turkish Alzheimer Association.
In the afternoon, an online session moderated by Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı featured presentations such as “Loneliness Among the Elderly in Uzbekistan as a Social Risk of the 21st Century” by Dr. Farogat Fayzieva, “The Role and Potential of Foster Families in Coping with Elderly Loneliness in Russia” by Dr. Natalia Bolshakova, and analyses on old age and loneliness in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)