The Mediating Role of Relationship-Related Cognitive Distortion on Depression and Perceived Loneliness in Older Adults: A Comparative Study

PURPOSE: To compare levels of depression, perceived loneliness, and relationship-related cognitive distortion in older adults living alone and with their families in rural areas, and determine the mediating relationship between relationship-related cognitive distortion and depression and loneliness. METHOD: Participants comprised 193 older adults, with 105 living alone and 88 living with their families. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-15), Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale, and Loneliness Scale for the Elderly (LSFE). RESULTS: Participants living alone scored significantly higher on the GDS-15 (t = 6.064, p = .001) and LSFE (t = 4.727, p = .001) than participants living with their families. Geriatric depression levels significantly predicted cognitive distortion levels (β = 0.7849, p < .001); however, the effect of cognitive distortion levels on loneliness was not statistically significant (β = 0.0325, p = .2121). CONCLUSION: Depression and loneliness levels of participants living alone were higher than those of participants living with their families. Participants living alone did not tend to establish close relationships.