Relationship between loneliness with sleep quality of the elderly referring to comprehensive urban and rural health centers in Varamin in 2022.

Old age is considered a critical phase in human life, and attention to the challenges and needs of this stage is essential from physical, psychological, and social perspectives. Loneliness during this period arises due to a reduction in social interactions, and poor sleep quality can lead to disruptions in individuals' emotions, thoughts, and motivation. The present study was conducted in 2023 with the aim of determining the relationship between loneliness and the sleep quality of the elderly visiting comprehensive health centers in the urban and rural areas of Varamin County.

The present study was conducted on 120 elderly individuals who sought care at the comprehensive health centers in the urban and rural areas of Varamin County in the year 2023. A multistage sampling method was employed for participant selection. Initially, Varamin County was divided into four clusters based on a map, and then four comprehensive health centers in urban/rural areas were randomly chosen. Subsequently, considering the total number of elderly individuals in Varamin County and the specific count for each center (information obtained from Varamin Health Center), the allocation of each center was determined based on the covered population. Continuing with the research, a continuous sampling method was utilized to select elderly participants. Data collection instruments included the UCLA Loneliness Scale for assessing loneliness and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for evaluating sleep quality. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive and inferential statistics

The research findings revealed a significant and strong direct correlation between loneliness and sleep quality (r = 0.611, p < 0.001). Furthermore, 37% of the variance in loneliness can be explained by sleep quality. Sleep quality, with a positive beta coefficient of 0.611, predicts loneliness significantly (p = 0.015).

The findings of this study indicate the impact and correlation between loneliness and the sleep of the elderly. The results of this research can serve as a clear picture to better understand how the feeling of loneliness affects the sleep of the elderly. These findings can be utilized in providing practical strategies to increase awareness among families and even the elderly themselves, aiming to reduce loneliness and its detrimental effects on the quality of life and sleep. Furthermore, these results can be instrumental at the organizational level for officials in relevant institutions dealing with the elderly, helping in formulating appropriate policies and measures to manage loneliness and enhance the sleep quality of the elderly