Table 1 Codebook

LONELINESS DEFINITION

This code captures the respondents’ definition of loneliness

SOMETIMES POSITIVE

This code captires the positive aspect of being alone sometimes

NO ANSWER

This subcode captures the missing answers to the question of loneliness definition

LONELINESS AS A CHOICE

This subcode captures respondents’ considerations of loneliness as a personal choice.

BEING/LIVING ALONE

This subcode captures respondents’ considerations on loneliness as a consequence of living alone

PERSONAL FEELING NOT DEPENDING ON EXOGENOUS FACTORS

This subcode captures respondents’ considerations on loneliness as a feeling depending on exogenous factors

DEPRIVATION OF:

This subcode capturesrespondents’ considerations on loneliness as a deprivation

MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS/INTEREST TO OTHERS

This subcode capturesrespondents’ considerations on loneliness as a deprivation of meaningful relationships

COMMUNICATION/DIALOGUE/UNDERSTANDING

This subcode capturesrespondents’ considerations on loneliness as a deprivation of dialogue

ISOLATION DEFINITION

This code captures respondents’ definition of social isolation

NO ANSWER

This subcode captures the missing answers to the question on social isolation definition

A FEELING

This subcode captures the nuances of social isolation as a personal feeling

BOTH VOLUNTARY AND SUFFERED

This subcode captures the definition of social isolation as a result of a mix of one’s choices and behaviours, and conditions imposed by others

LACK OF CONTACTS and/or AUTONOMY

This subcode captures the isolation as a lack of social contacts

PUNISHMENT/JAIL

This subcode captures isolation as a punishment

DEPRIVATION OF RELATIONSHIPS AND DIALOGUE

This subcode captures the isolation as a deprivation of dialogue

SUFFERED ACTION (EXCLUSION)

This subcode captures isolation as merely a condition depending on the decision of others to exclude a person

PERSONAL DECISION (VOLUNTARY CONDITION)

This subcode captures isolation as a personal and aware choice

COMPARISON BETWEEN LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

This code captures the different meanining respondents attribute to the two concepts

NO ANSWER

This subcodes reports the missing answers highlighting the dearth of conceptualization by respondents or their uncertainty on the topic

ARE THE SAME THING OR RELATED

This subcodes captures the thoughts of respondents giving the same meaning to the two concepts

ARE DIFFERENT

This subcodes captures the thoughts of respondents giving diffntret meanings to the two concepts

LONELINESS AND ISOLATION CONSEQUENCES

This code captures the respondents’ perspective about the possible outicomes of the two concepts

QUALITY OF THE RELATIONSHIP IN THE LAST MONTH

This code captures the respondents’ perspective on their own relationships to understand if their quality affects the respondents’ answers

NO ANSWER

This subcodes reports the missing answers.

MOST NEGATIVE

This subcode mirrors the low quality of the respondents’ relationships

MOST POSITIVE

This subcode mirrors the high quality of the respondents’ relationships

FEELINGS OF LONELINESS AND ISOLATION

This code captures the personal reaction to loneliness and social isolation

NEUTRAL

This subcodes mirrors the thoughts of respondents having a neutral reaction to the possibility of experiencing loneliness and social isolation

NEGATIVE

This subcodes mirrors the thoughts of respondents having a negativel reaction to the possibility of experiencing loneliness and social isolation

PROTECTING FACTORS FROM LONELINESS AND ISOLATION

This code captures the respondents’ idea on factors preventing loneliness and isolation in older age

DRIVERS TO LONELINESSAND ISOLATION

This code captures the respondents’ idea on drivers to loneliness and isolation in older age