"Det blir vad man själv gör det till" : -En kvalitativ studie om ensamhet och livskvalitet bland äldre.

Sammanfattning: Abstract   This is a qualitative study of elderly people's experiences of loneliness and quality of life. Also the relationship between loneliness and quality of life are examined. Previous research has shown that social loneliness is about when the social context are lost while emotional loneliness can occur with the loss of close relationships. Quality of life is about a sense of connection but also the quality of life arises in the difference between the expectation of what one is and what one wishes to have. This study has shown that the interviewees preferences, activities, social networks and low expectations on their life situation makes interviewees perceive themselves to be less lonely and have a good quality of life. This is consistent with previous research as Antonovsky's (1987/2005) sense of coherence, Hagberg's (2002) commitment and Nordenfelt´s (1991) discrepancy in what you have and what you wish to have. The interviewees in this study seems to have found a balance in what the aforementioned scientists believe must be to achieve a sense of quality of life. The respondents also said that they do not feel alone over short periods, suggesting that respondents found strategies that counteract loneliness. Loneliness and quality of life was found to be related to each other, the interviewees felt that loneliness was worthwhile and gave quality of life. Loneliness was also something that could affect the quality of life.