[A study on loneliness among people who lost their children in disaster area of 5.12 Earthquake].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of loneliness, the influential factors and the relationship between loneliness and family function among bereaved parents in disaster area of 5.12 Earthquake and to provide basis for mental and family reconstruction for those people suffering from the Earthquake.

METHODS: A total 190 bereaved parents in disaster area of 5.12 Earthquake were enrolled for an across-sectional study. A face-to-face survey was conducted by following scales: General Data Scale, University of California at Los Angels Loneliness Scale, Emotional and Social Loneliness Scale and Family APGAR Index.

RESULTS: The score of loneliness ranged from 24 to 69 (mean=43.58, SD=9.61), the score of emotional loneliness ranged from 5 to 24 (mean=11.95, SD=3.60) while the social loneliness ranged from 6 to 24 (mean=13.99, SD=3.69). The scores of loneliness, social loneliness and emotional loneliness were all increased among bereaved parents compared to people without loss of their child. The results of multivariate analysis showed that family function and status of fertility significantly impacted the loneliness (P< 0.05). Furthermore, there was negative correlation between family function and the loneliness, social loneliness and emotional loneliness (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The bereaved parents in disaster area of 5.12 Earthquake showed higher level of loneliness. The better of family function indicated the less of loneliness in bereaved parents. Measures should be taken to promote mental and family reconstruction for such people, including providing effective skills to improve emotional communication and family function and offering technical support for having another baby.