A study published in Psychology and Aging on loneliness among international retirement migrants highlights the unique challenges older adults face when relocating to a new country. While many retirees move abroad for a better quality of life, they often encounter social and emotional loneliness due to the weakening of social ties in their home country and the difficulty of establishing new ones in their destination.
The study found that having a social network in the destination country significantly reduces social loneliness. Retirees who had at least one close friend in their new country experienced lower levels of social loneliness. Frequent interaction with neighbors—both locals and fellow migrants—was another critical factor in reducing both social and emotional loneliness. The results also showed that retirees who felt a strong sense of belonging in their new country were less likely to experience social loneliness. However, this sense of belonging had a more substantial impact on social loneliness than emotional loneliness. Similarly, proficiency in the local language was associated with lower social loneliness, although it did not significantly affect emotional loneliness.
One unexpected finding was that a longer duration of stay in the host country was linked to higher social loneliness, rather than a reduction. This may be due to the gradual loss of initial social connections made upon arrival. The greater the geographical distance from the home country, the higher the emotional loneliness, as maintaining close relationships with family and old friends becomes more challenging with physical separation. Older retirees were also found to be more susceptible to social loneliness than their younger counterparts, possibly due to health-related limitations that reduce their ability to engage in social activities.
Despite these challenges, the study highlights several strategies that can help mitigate loneliness among retirees living abroad. Maintaining close connections with family and friends in the home country is crucial, particularly for addressing emotional loneliness. Meanwhile, building relationships with neighbors and integrating into local communities significantly reduces social loneliness. Retirement migrants who actively engage in community activities, speak the local language, and cultivate a sense of belonging tend to experience less isolation.
International retirement migration presents both opportunities and challenges for older adults. While it offers the possibility of an improved lifestyle, it also exposes retirees to social and emotional loneliness due to their distance from familiar networks and the difficulty of forming new relationships. As retirement migration continues to be an attractive option for many, it is crucial that both individuals and policymakers consider strategies to support social integration and emotional well-being among older migrants.
Sources: Psychology and Aging, EurekAlert
