Hygeia Public Health 2016, 51(2): 215-220pl

Loneliness among patients with chronic lung diseases. Part 1. Loneliness in close relationships

Monika Kornaszewska-Polak ^1/, Urszula Marcinkowska ^2/, Agata Skrzyńska-Rafałowska ^3/, Paweł Rogoziński ^4/

1/ Instytut Psychologii Wyższej Szkoły Humanitas w Sosnowcu
2/ Katedra i Zakład Medycyny i Epidemiologii Środowiskowej, Wydział Lekarski z Oddziałem Dentystycznym w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
3/ Oddział Chorób Płuc i Gruźlicy, Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii w Bystrej
4/ Oddział Chirurgii Klatki Piersiowej, Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii w Bystrej

Summary
Introduction. Patients suffering from chronic lung disease, experiencing intense symptoms and prolonged treatment process, are exposed to an increased risk of mental and emotional health problems, described as the feeling of loneliness.
Aim. Determination of the level of loneliness in the area of intimate partner relationships among patients with chronic lung disease.
Material and method. 76 patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (tuberculosis, COPD, cancer, silicosis) were examined during the study. The mean age was 57.5 years (the age range between 41 and 74 years). The Nonstudent Differential Loneliness Scale (DLS) was used to investigate the level of loneliness among patients. DLS is a method of self-assessment of loneliness and social dissatisfaction in adults. The DLS scale consists of 60 affirmative sentences, describing four types of relationships: 1. romantic-sexual, 2. friendship, 3. family and 4. social contacts.
Results. Loneliness was experienced in various types of interpersonal relationships, but was felt the hardest in close relationships (romantic-sexual), where it was declared by 53% of the patients. The study showed statistically significant differences in the gender factor; the surveyed men were more likely to experience complete isolation, especially during diagnosis, while the surveyed women received more support from partners and better communicated in their relationships. The studies have confirmed that elderly people about 60 years of age are a group particularly vulnerable to a high sense of loneliness and isolation in close relationships.
Conclusions. People with chronic lung disease have shown relatively high levels of loneliness in the area of intimate partner relationships. Men aged about 60 years were the most vulnerable to loneliness. Loneliness turned out to be an important risk factor for deterioration of terminal illness in patients.

Key words:  loneliness, intimate relationships, cancer, tuberculosis, COPD