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Objective: The feeling of loneliness is inherent in the human condition, and is considered a public health issue that is directly related to welfare. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic predictor variables of loneliness in the elderly. Methodology: Cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 869 adults aged 55 and older who attended senior citizen groups in Medellin in 2010. Results: The model explained the 21.6% of variance in the scale scores for loneliness. The main predictor variables for family loneliness was the number of people whom they live with; for marital and social loneliness was marital status; and for crisis of adaptation was socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The demographic variable that best predicts loneliness is marital status, appearing in different types of loneliness and global loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the types of loneliness in older adults attending senior citizen groups in the municipality of Medellin (Colombia) and its association with sociodemographic variables. Methods: Cross sectional study performed in people 55 years old and over who attend senior citizen groups in the municipality of Medellin for a total of 1,169 respondents in 2011. The "ESTE" loneliness scale, validated for Colombia, was used as the data collection instrument. Results: Greater family loneliness and adaptation crisis were found in men, and greater marital loneliness in women. People without partners expressed more loneliness; as socioeconomic status and academic level increased, the levels of various types of loneliness decreased; adults living alone had a greater level of loneliness. Conclusions: The variables of age, marital status, education level, socioeconomic status, and number of people with whom they live are associated with loneliness in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]