SOLITUDE IN SOCIAL CONTEXT: ACCULTURATION DESIRE AND TIME IN SOLITUDE SHAPE SOLITUDE-LONELINESS LINKS

摘要

Older adults spend a lot of time in solitude (without social interaction), increasing their risk of loneliness, especially if they have immigrated. Yet, older adults sometimes seek solitude. This study examines how culture, immigration, acculturation, and solitude desire shape solitude-loneliness associations. Local and immigrant adults aged 50–85 in Vancouver (59 Asian, 37 White) and in Hong Kong (56 Asian) completed 30 ecological momentary assessments over 10 days assessing current solitude, solitude desire, and loneliness. Solitude felt more lonely than social interaction, but only for individuals who desired interaction (b = -2.51, p = .047), were less acculturated to the local culture (b = -1.40, p = .006), or spent more time in solitude (b = 0.09, p = .047). Findings suggest solitude need not feel lonely if individuals desire it, are connected with their local culture, or engage in regular social interaction. We discuss implications for reducing loneliness across cultures.