ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the influence of culture on social isolation and loneliness, and in doing so, theorises a pathway to loneliness. In this hypothesised model, dominant cultural norms define the ideal range of relationships that are acceptable for an older person. Dominant norms are subject to change over time and vary between places. An older person’s cultural identity or cultural position in society determines the extent to which they are perceived to conform or transgress the norms concerning social relationships. The “reaction” of the dominant culture to the cultural group/cultural position can result in cultural exclusion or inclusion and in turn impact the achieved social relationship. The subjective evaluation of achieved social relations is influenced by cultural values concerning the normative expectations for the “ideal” levels and types of relationships. A mismatch between the internalised ideal and achieved relationships leads to loneliness. The chapter concludes that there is more evidence demonstrating the impact of individual characteristics or life events on customary levels of social interaction for older people, and loneliness than there is on the impact of macro-level cultural factors on these outcomes. Many of the potential relationships between elements of the hypothesised model require further investigation.
