Objective   To describe the loneliness of elderly people retired in Hefei, and explore the factors related to loneliness.

  Methods   A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted with the participation of 633 elderly subjects aged 60 years and over, selected randomly from 15 stratified sampling units.Data were collected through individual interviews using the UCLA Loneliness Scale(Version 3), other health-related QOL questionnaires and a socio-demographic health information form.

  Results   The mean score of loneliness was 37.85(SD=9.99), and the people who were female, aged, uneducated, living alone, single or conjugal bereavement and unsatisfied with economic situation, family function, social support were more likely to have higher scores of loneliness.The results of stepwise multiple regression found that family functioning, social support, supportive utilization and etc.were the significant predicting variables of loneliness, and family functioning was the most powerful predictor.

  Conclusions   Family functioning and social support were two important factors affecting on feelings of loneliness.An important way for alleviating feelings of loneliness and improving quality of life would be the implementation of intervention strategies in population designed to address family function and social support among elderly people.