Towards Building New Theory: Exploration of Social Isolation Among the Elderly In Kenya

Abstract

The WHO has declared social isolation a global public health concern. Together with loneliness, it has been considered a serious issue of epidemic proportions in many countries. The elderly are far more susceptible to both loneliness and social isolation than other categories of the population. The purpose of this study is to build a theory based on the exploration of loneliness and social isolation among the elderly in Kenya. The specific objectives are to explore elderly persons’ general perception of their own state of loneliness and social isolation, to discuss the different ways by which the elderly become vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, and to generate a theory around the states of social isolation and loneliness among the elderly in Kenya. The method adopted for this research is grounded theory, and the sampling method is theoretical sampling. Analysis of the results is intertwined within the data collection process in an iterative and cyclical process that allows refining of codes, categories and finally, a core category around which the theory is built.