Examined is the experience of loneliness as it relates to selected health conditions and selected
economic conditions. The effects on loneliness of age, gender, marital status, number of sons,
number of daughters, number of male friends, and number of female friends also were examined
and controlled. Results are based on a sample from the Senior Citizens Nutrition and Activities
Program in Hillsborough County, Florida. An analysis of covariance showed that greater
loneliness was expressed by those older persons who were male, had fewer female friends, and
had fewer male friends. Among the main effects, poorer self-rated health, less adequate self-rated
economic condition, and being in poverty were related to greater loneliness. The interactions
between the main effects variable were unrelated to loneliness. The research sheds new light on
the influence on loneliness of older persons' health and economic condition, and of selected
demographic and interpersonal relationship variables.
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