Studies of loneliness among older people with a migrant background: a systematic review in Europe
e202512086
Keywords:
Loneliness, Aging, Migrants, European Health Survey, Systematic review, Older adults, Mental healthAbstract
BACKGROUND // Europe is experiencing an ageing process in its societies, and within this population are migrants, meaning that older people are diverse in their ethnic composition. Numerous studies indicate the risk of loneliness and other psychosocial factors that negatively affect older people from ethnic minorities. The aim of this study was to examine studies on older people of migrant origin in Europe over the last fifteen years.
METHODS // A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA format in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, Dialnet and SciELO between October and November 2024. The Rayyan Manager tool was used to eliminate duplicates and screen according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS // A total of 2,013 references were found and after full text assessment a total of 14 articles were included. The results on the prevalence of loneliness were heterogeneous, although six articles showed a prevalence greater than 40%. In general terms, the studies indicated the influence of socio-demographic, migratory, ethnic-cultural, psychosocial, life course, medical and other factors such as discrimination.
CONCLUSIONS // Specific knowledge on how loneliness affects older migrants needs to be further developed, along with culturally relevant assessments and reflected in public policies.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lorena Patricia Gallardo Peralta, María Ángeles Molina-Martínez, Virginia Fernández Fernández, Vicente Rodríguez Rodríguez, Pablo De Gea Grela
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