Loneliness—A deficit in human intimacy and negative feelings about being alone (Hall &
Havens, 1999) is one definition of loneliness. Chronically ill rural women’s risk for loneliness
is compounded by their geographic isolation. Social support is thought to enhance
psychological well-being directly by fulfilling one’s need for a sense of coherence and
belonging, and thus counteracting feelings of loneliness (Wortman & Conway, 1985).