Loneliness and quality of life for older adults living alone in rural mountain areas of China

Empty nest elders reported higher levels of loneliness and lower quality of life compared to those not in empty nests.

• The empty nest group experienced greater loneliness, with a confidence interval of -3.361 to -0.335.
• Quality of life scores were lower in the empty nest group, with physical scores ranging from 0.228 to 6.044 and mental scores from 0.866 to 6.380.
• Loneliness was negatively correlated with all quality of life measures in both groups.
• Social support and income were linked to lower levels of loneliness, while higher education levels and being single were associated with increased loneliness among empty nest elders.

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