Associations Between Loneliness, Depression, and Health-related Outcomes Among Older Adults in the Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Loneliness in older adults remains underexplored in the southern edge of continental Asia, particularlyits emotional, social, and family dimension linked to depression and health-related outcomes. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between different types of loneliness, depression, and health-related factors among older adults in southern Peninsular Malaysia. METHOD: A community-based survey using stratified sampling involved 380 older adults. Data were collected using validated instruments: Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S), the Geriatric Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-20 (SF-20). RESULTS: Prevalence rates were 39.9% for emotional loneliness, 34.7% for social loneliness, 9% for family loneliness, and 90.3% for depression. Although 91.58% perceived their health as good and 88.58% reported no physical health deterioration, 56.84% had chronic diseases. Depression was significantly associated with social (p=0.01) and emotional loneliness (p=0.004). Chronic disease was linked to emotional (p=0.01) and family loneliness (p=0.003). Depression predicted social loneliness (OR = 2.52, p=0.03), while chronic illness predicted family loneliness (OR = 0.43, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Depression and chronic illness are key predictors of loneliness types, requiring targeted community and healthcare intervention.