Lonely In Malaysia? Relationships And Support Matter

A significant proportion of Malaysians over 40 are lonely. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of loneliness.

By Halimah Awang and Tan Chin Lung, Universiti Malaya

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 – A significant number of middle-aged and older Malaysians are feeling the bite of loneliness, and it’s worse for women and those of Indian ethnicity, research reveals.

The data comes from a recent nationwide study — the Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey â€” which was conducted between 2020 and 2022 and sheds light on the prevalence of loneliness and its associated factors among Malaysians aged 40 and older.

Loneliness — a state of emotional discomfort stemming from feelings of emptiness and being unwanted — has surged as a significant global public health issue, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Its impact on physical and mental health, quality of life and longevity is profound, with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and premature death.

The survey collected data on various aspects of respondents’ lives, including their health, use of healthcare services, cognition and psychosocial wellbeing or their quality of life.

One of its key measures was self-reported loneliness over the six months preceding data collection.

Involving more than 4,000 respondents, the study found loneliness was concerningly prevalent among middle-aged and older Malaysians affecting 24 percent of respondents and was more pronounced among women (28 per cent) than men (19 per cent).

The study also identified strong links between loneliness and factors like living alone (50 per cent), lacking social support (52 per cent without a loving family), and health issues (35 per cent with limiting diseases).

Survey respondents who were female or of Indian ethnicity experienced higher rates of loneliness compared with those who were male or Malay and Bumiputera (ethnic Malays and other indigenous ethnic groups in Peninsular and East Malaysia) or other races, respectively.

This could be due to female respondents being more likely to be without a spouse than male respondents — the survey data showed 45 per cent of female respondents aged 60 or older were either widowed, divorced or separated compared to only 12 per cent of male respondents aged 60 or older — and hence this lack of companionship contributing to higher rates of loneliness.

Men are also more likely to participate in the labour market than women, providing them with more opportunities to get involved in social events and perhaps contributing to their lower rates of loneliness.

In this study, Indian and indigenous Sabah and Sarawak people were more likely to experience loneliness than Chinese or Malays which could be due to the different norms embedded in their cultural traditions.

Cultural traditions can play a significant role in social connection. For instance, some cultures may emphasise large, extended families or close-knit communities, which can foster a stronger sense of belonging.

We then need to consider how to promote healthy living habits across all communities. This includes mindful eating habits, regular exercise like walking or gardening, and participation in community or neighbourhood activities.

Engaging in these activities not only improves physical health, but also combats feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Living alone and living with a spouse only, led to a higher risk of loneliness compared to living with family members.

Respondents experiencing feelings of isolation were four times more likely to experience loneliness than those without feelings of isolation.

Respondents with health conditions that limited their daily activities or who had difficulties performing daily living activities, like eating, cleaning themselves and other routine personal care tasks, were also more likely to experience higher loneliness compared to healthier people.

Being married and having a loving family or strong support system significantly reduced the likelihood of loneliness.

The study underscores the strong link between social isolation and loneliness, highlighting the importance of meaningful social relationships and active social participation by making a conscious effort to talk with neighbours and share information through residents association Whatsapp groups.

Living with loving family members, maintaining meaningful friendships and participating in social activities provides people with companionship and emotional support.

Being able to actively participate in community activities or socialise with friends and family, fosters a sense of belonging and reduces loneliness.

Being active and living healthily are good ways to protect yourself from lifestyle diseases and reduce your risk of difficulties that would limit your daily activities and cognitive function. Making meaningful connections with family members, friends and others will help even those with chronic diseases feel less lonely.

This enables people to participate and contribute to family and community activities which will provide opportunities for a more meaningful life, eliminating feelings of isolation.

Interventions promoting high-quality social engagements and connections are vital at the community level to combat loneliness.

From reconnecting with old classmates on WhatsApp to engaging with special interest groups like neighbourhood associations and religious communities online, social media keeps us connected and fosters a sense of belonging.

While the study focused on middle-aged and older adults, it highlighted the need for specific interventions across different age groups and demographics to address the varying impacts of loneliness.

By recognising and addressing the factors associated with loneliness, Malaysia can implement effective strategies and policies to improve the wellbeing of its population, particularly as it ages, and mitigate the adverse effects of this growing public health issue.

Halimah Awang is a principal research fellow at the Social Wellbeing Research Centre, Universiti Malaya. Tan Chin Lung is a PhD student at the Institute for Advanced Studies and a research analyst at the Social Wellbeing Research Centre, Universiti Malaya.

Article courtesy of 360info. 

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