Anna Axén Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis on Loneliness in Later Life
- Post by: AHT
- 9 June, 2026
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On Thursday, 4 June 2026, Anna Axén successfully defended her doctoral thesis entitled Loneliness in Later Life: From the Perspective of Older Adults at Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society. The public defence took place at Allmänna sjukhuset (the General Hospital), HS Aula, Malmö, and marked the completion of her doctoral degree in Care Science.
The thesis examines the relationship between loneliness, social connections, and health among older adults, and explores the experiences of older adults participating in community-based activity programmes aimed at reducing loneliness. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative methods, including cross-sectional registry data, semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observations, and focus group discussions, the work provides a rich and multifaceted picture of loneliness in later life.
Among the key findings, approximately one in three older adults in the study reported experiencing loneliness sometimes or often. The research highlights the critical importance of meaningful social connections for healthy ageing, the value of community-based initiatives in supporting socially isolated older adults, and the need to design social programmes in partnership with older adults themselves, recognising them as active contributors rather than passive recipients.
Source: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-83790