Abstract: Objective To understand the current situation of elder self-neglect (ESN) among the elderly living alone in rural areas and analyze its influence factors. Methods With convenience sampling, 233 rural elderly people living alone in 3 cities in Sichuan Province were selected as the survey subjects and they were surveyed by using general information questionnaire, the Rural Elder Self-neglect Scale, the Depression Screening Scale (GDS-5), and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Multiple linear regression was used to explore the influence factors of ESN. Results The total ESN score of elderly people living alone in rural areas was 9.00 (5.50,15.00) and 79 elderly people with ESN were screened, accounting for 33.9%. Multiple linear regression showed that the frequency of communication with children, neighbor relationship, cognitive dysfunction and depression were the influence factors of the ESN of the rural elderly people (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of ESN among the elderly living alone in rural areas is relatively high, and great importance should be attached to the occurrence and characteristics of the ESN of the elderly living alone, focusing on those with less contact with children, poor neighbor relationships, poor cognitive function and mental state. Effective measures are needed to improve the neighbor relationships of the elderly and social participation, so as to reduce negative emotions, and then reduce their ESN.

Key words: rural, elderly, living alone, self-neglect, influence factor