Context:

The elderly population faces increasing difficulties arising from loneliness, depression and social isolation. The literature has shown the potential of using ICT to alleviate psychological distress and improve quality of life.

Objective:

To analyze the relationships between feelings of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and the impact of the use of and attitude towards ICT in the elderly.

Methodology:

This is a cross-sectional study which included 669 subjects aged between 60 and 94 years. Through self-report instruments, feelings of loneliness (UCLA-LS), depressive symptomatology (GDS-15) and the use of and attitude towards ICT were assessed.

Results:

Women evidenced higher levels of depressive symptomatology and feelings of loneliness. The elderly aged over 80 years reported higher levels of loneliness (in the UCLA-LS Affinities subscale) and the 60-69 age group showed the highest rate of ICT use. The presence of feelings of loneliness was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and ICT use was associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

Aging can be lived with less depressive symptomatology if the elderly feels less isolated. The use of ICT, as a communication tool, may have a positive impact on their psychological well-being, as it is associated with lower levels of depression.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )