Existential Loneliness in Nursing Homes: a Qualitative Approach to Life Experiences

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54790/rccs.139

Keywords:

existential loneliness, emotional well-being, residential care homes, older adults, life trajectories, end of life, interviews

Abstract

This study explores the existential loneliness experienced by individuals residing in nursing homes, focusing on their life experiences. Adopting a deductive approach—guided by a script containing predefined themes—and employing a reflective thematic analysis, 34 semi-structured interviews with nursing home residents in Seville were analyzed to gain an in-depth understanding of their biographical narratives. Existential loneliness was found to be a pervasive aspect of daily life, closely associated with factors such as awareness of the imminent proximity of death, the normalization of the end of life, the absence of a life project, the experience of vicarious happiness through family, and the existential void created by the loss of close companions. To enhance the emotional and existential well-being of nursing home residents, fostering meaningful relationships and experiences within and outside the nursing home setting is essential.

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Author Biographies

Juan Manuel García-González, Pablo de Olavide University

Professor of sociology at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. His research focuses on ageing, centenarians, public health and loneliness. He coordinates the Demography and Social Research in Health research group and directs the Cruz Roja Sevilla Chair in Loneliness Studies.

Ignacio de Loyola González Salgado, University of Huelva

Assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. He holds a degree in sociology from the University of Salamanca, a master’s degree in territorial and population studies from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a PhD in social sciences from the University of Salamanca. His research focuses on social inequalities in health, qualitative research methodology, urban sociology and the sociology of health. He has participated in several research projects both as principal investigator and as a member of research teams.

Lucía R. Hernes, Pablo de Olavide University

Degree in sociology and a master’s degree in gender and equality from the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. She is currently an FPU predoctoral researcher in the Department of Sociology at the same university, where she is completing her doctoral thesis on social inequalities in the experience of chronic joint disease. Her principal research interests include health, ageing, loneliness and the analysis of inequalities, all from a gender perspective.

Cristina Granados Martínez, Pablo de Olavide University

Degrees in political science and sociology, as well as a master’s degree in methodologies applied to public policy, from the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. She currently works as a research technician on a Knowledge Generation Project funded by the Ministry of Education focusing on supportive environments and housing for people with intellectual disabilities. She combines this work with doctoral research on intellectual disability and loneliness. She has served as coordinator and lecturer for the university’s specialised programme on education and autonomous and independent living for people with intellectual disabilities. Her principal research interests focus on loneliness, inclusive education and intellectual disability.

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Published

2026-07-06

How to Cite

García-González, J. M., González Salgado, I. de L., R. Hernes, L., & Granados Martínez, C. (2026). Existential Loneliness in Nursing Homes: a Qualitative Approach to Life Experiences. CENTRA Journal of Social Sciences, 5(2), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.54790/rccs.139

Issue

Vol. 5 Núm. 2 (julio-diciembre, 2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Juan Manuel García-González, Ignacio de Loyola González Salgado, Lucía R. Hernes, Cristina Granados Martínez

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