Loneliness can be assessed both from the subjective and the objective perspectives. In this study we evaluate the emotional loneliness using the UCLA Short Loneliness Scale and social isolation based on questions about living alone and low frequency of personal contacts with relatives or friends.

We are willing to identify the relationship between the lifestyle and behavior patterns of older people and their perception of loneliness and social isolation. To achieve this goal, we developed and conducted an online survey which represents the population of Russia aged 20-74 with access to the Internet. In our study we selected respondents aged 50-74 years. Using differential questionnaire for the experience of loneliness, we calculated the dependence on communication, general experience of loneliness and perception of loneliness as a resource state (solitude). The consistency of the scales was tested using Cronbach's alpha. All scales were standardized (z-score).

Both loneliness and social isolation are associated with less engagement in physical, social and emotional activities. Socially isolated older people experience the subjective comfort of current life more often than those who are emotionally lonely. The general experience of loneliness is more difficult for emotionally lonely people than for socially isolated. Older people living alone have higher assessments of solitude. Lonely older people have a greater predisposition to anxiety and depression than their non-lonely peers. Older people, who do not participate in inta- or extra-family activities have the worst estimates. Being active is associated with lower anxiety and depression. It is interesting to note that older adults living alone generally have lower depression scores than those who experience emotional loneliness.