LONELINESS AND ITS OVERCOMING
Loneliness is a human condition that has existed since the beginning of mankind and has always been associated with feelings of anguish, fear and death. This research project aimed at knowing whether cognitive activities and social life, which are typical of the University of the Third Age, could be tools for its overcoming (or at least for its control) or not. The research was based on 1.153 questionnaires filled in by the students of the Vicenza University of the Third Age in 1998 in comparison with 352 questionnaires filled in by people not attending the University. The research highlighted that both the groups objectively live in the same conditions whereas the way of experiencing and reacting to loneliness deeply differs. Those who attend the University also participate in formal groups while those who do not attend the University participate only in informal groups.
1. In both groups relationships with family members are reasonably good. Family members can reach them in less than one hour (87.5% - 86.8%). In both groups there is also a good level of independence (93% - 92%) (data referring to those who do not attend the University are in italics and underlined).
2. Those who do not attend the University live their moments of solitude as a tragedy with feelings of: uselessness 48,1% (with respect to 45,6%), confusion 66,7% (with respect to 55%), anxiety and anguish 90,5% (with respect to 83,6%), depression 82,4% (with respect to 77,4%), tiredness of life 56,4% (with respect to 46,7%). People attending the University live loneliness as lack of something 89,4% (with respect to 83,7%). The worst moments of loneliness for those attending the University are: in the evening 68,4% (with respect to 63,7%), at night 59,6% (with respect to 56,7%), during illness 91,6% (with respect to 84,2%), during festivities 83,3% (with respect to 81,2%).
3. The two groups differ in the way they overcome loneliness. Those who attend the University think they overcome it by caring for pets 88,7% (with respect to 84,7%), by meeting friends 95,5% (with respect to 90,5%), by going out 97,6% (with respect to 95,2%), by travelling 91,8% (with respect to 82,1%), by attending religious meetings 91,2% (with respect to 82,1%) and cultural meetings 94,5% (with respect to 75,8%). This difference is also explained by the fact that people attending the University participate more in formal groups: associations or social clubs 86,8% (with respect to 82,7%), voluntary service 87,2% (with respect to 80,2%). Those who do not attend the University mainly participate in informal groups for conversation 88,4% (with respect to 81,4%) and to play games 72,1% (with respect to 66,3%).