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Is loneliness in later life a self-fulfilling prophecy?
- Authors:
- PIKHARTOVAA Jitka, BOWLING Ann, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(5), 2016, pp.543-549.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: There are many stereotypes about ageing and later life. The authors looked at the association between expectations and stereotyping of loneliness in old age and actual self-reported loneliness status 8 years later in English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Method: Data from 4465 ELSA core members aged over 50 who responded to Waves 2 (2004) did not report loneliness in Wave 2, and responded to loneliness questions at least once between Waves 3 and 6 (2006–2012) were used in multivariable repeated measures logit regression analysis to estimate relationship between perceived stereotypes and expectation of loneliness in older age and actual loneliness reported within 8 years of follow-up. Results: Twenty-four per cent of respondents from the analytical sample agreed at Wave 2 that old age is time of loneliness and 33% expected to be lonely in old age. Loneliness was reported by 11.5% of respondents at Waves 3–6. Both stereotypes and expectation were significantly associated with later reported loneliness (OR 2.65 (95% CI 2.05–3.42) for stereotypes and 2.98 (95% CI 2.33–3.75) for expectations in age-sex adjusted analysis). Both variables significantly predicted future loneliness even when socio-demographic circumstances were taken into account and both variables were mutually adjusted although the effect was reduced (OR's 1.53 (95% CI 1.16–2.01) for stereotypes and 2.38 (95% CI 1.84–3.07) for expectations). Conclusions: Stereotypes and expectations related to loneliness in the old age were significantly associated with reported loneliness 8 years later. Interventions aimed at changing age-related stereotypes in population may have more impact on reducing loneliness than individually based services.
Age and loneliness in 25 European nations
- Authors:
- YANG Keming, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(8), November 2011, pp.1368-1388.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Loneliness is normally perceived as a problem of old age. However, evidence suggests that loneliness peaks during adolescence, and there are demonstrable variations between nations in reported rates of loneliness. This study investigated the prevalence of loneliness across different age groups in 25 European nations, with a focus on people of an advanced age. Data was drawn 47,099 samples, aged 15 to 101 years, from the European Social Survey, which included a self-measure of loneliness. Findings indicated that the prevalence of loneliness increased with age, but a greater impact came from the nation in which one lived. Russia and Eastern European nations had the highest proportions of lonely people, at 10 to 34% for different age groups, and Northern European nations the lowest below 6%. Explanatory factors for the results are identified and discussed, providing a basis for a subsequent and formal study.
Loneliness in later life: preliminary findings from the growing older project
- Authors:
- VICTOR Christina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 3(1), March 2002, pp.35-41.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Loneliness is consistently presumed to be a specific 'social problem'. which accompanies old age and growing older. Ninety percent of the general population of Britain feel that loneliness is particularly a problem associated with old age. Data concerning the prevalence of loneliness amongst the population aged 65 and over are provided from a quantitative survey of 999 people across Great Britain using a special module commissioned from the ONS Omnibus survey. The overall self-reported prevalence of loneliness show little change in the post-war period and challenges the stereotype that the problem of loneliness and isolation has become more prevalent. Socio-demographic and health factors were associated with loneliness but contact with family and friends was not. Both quantitative and qualitative data sets illustrate the importance of loss as a theme underpinning experiences of loneliness. Further analysis of these data offers the potential to develop a better understanding of what loneliness really is, what it means to those who experience it may offer the potential to develop interventions and strategies to 'protect' older people from this problem.
From pillow to post
- Author:
- VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 13.8.92, 1992, pp.20-22.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Describes an inner-city project which identified deficiencies in admission policies, information flow and discharge arrangement; presents an action checklist to improve the procedures involved.
The social world of older people: understanding loneliness and social isolation in later life
- Authors:
- VICTOR Christina, SCAMBLER Sasha, BOND John
- Publisher:
- Open University Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 262p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Maidenhead
Developments to the physical environment, scientific and technological innovation, the reorganisation of work and leisure and the impact of globalization and global capitalism have all influenced the nature of the world in which we now live. Social engagement and relationships, however, remain important at any age and their quality is a key element contributing to the quality of life of older people. This book provides a detailed account of loneliness and social isolation as experienced by older people living in Britain. The authors consider the incidence and effects of isolation and loneliness, identifying the factors which lead to such experiences and considering potential interventions. They also argue that these feelings are experienced at all stages of the life course and not unique to the social world of older people. Victor, Scambler and Bond rationalise that this is an important area, as both loneliness and social isolation are negatively associated with both quality and quantity of life - whilst the maintenance of social relationships is seen as a key component of 'successful ageing'.
Health beliefs and GP consultations by older people: a secondary analysis of the British health and lifestyle survey
- Authors:
- PENDRY Elizabeth, BARRETT Geraldine, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Health Care in Later Life, 3(4), 1998, pp.237-251.
In the UK, the general practitioner (GP) is the main health service contact for older people. The increasing number of older people and a rise in reported morbidity among this group suggest that expenditure on GP services is set to increase. Using the Health and Lifestyle Survey, carried out in the UK in 1991/2, this study aims to examine who consults GPs and why. This analysis looks at the effect of older people's health beliefs on GP consultation rates, in conjunction with health and symptom experience. The findings do not indicate and 'inappropriate' use of GP services by older people. Concludes with the suggestion that it is not merely the presence of symptoms that prompts a consultation but it is the impact these symptoms on the individual's ability to function that is significant.
Typologies of loneliness, living alone and social isolation, and their associations with physical and mental health
- Authors:
- SMITH Kimberley J., VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 39(8), 2019, pp.1709-1730.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The relationship between living alone, loneliness and social isolation, and how they are associated with health remain contentious. We sought to explore typologies based on shared experiences of loneliness, social isolation and living alone using Latent Class Analysis and determine how these groups may differ in terms of their physical and mental health. We used Wave 7 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 7,032; mean age = 67.3) and responses to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale, household composition, participation in social/societal activities plus frequency of contact with friends, family and relatives for the Latent Class Analysis. The optimal number of groups was identified using model-fit criteria. The socio-demographic characteristics of groups and health outcomes were explored using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. We identified a six-cluster typology: Group 1, no loneliness or isolation; Group 2, moderate loneliness; Group 3, living alone; Group 4, moderate isolation; Group 5, moderate loneliness, living alone; and Group 6, high loneliness, moderate isolation (with high likelihood of living alone). Groups experiencing loneliness and/or isolation were more likely to report poorer physical and mental health even after adjusting for socio-demographic confounders, this was particularly notable for Group 6. Our results indicate that different typologies of living alone, loneliness and isolation can be identified using data-driven techniques, and can be differentiated by the number and severity of issues they experience. (Edited publisher abstract)
An overview of reviews: the effectiveness of interventions to address loneliness at all stages of the life-course
- Authors:
- VICTOR Christina, et al
- Publisher:
- What Works Centre for Wellbeing
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 87
- Place of publication:
- London
This systematic review of reviews examines the effectiveness of interventions to alleviate loneliness. Searches retrieved 364 evidence reviews for screening. The final review provides a synthesis of 14 reviews and 14 reports identified from the grey literature, focused on assessing interventions to alleviate loneliness. The material included is International and from within the UK. All published and grey literature studies included focus on older people. Key findings show that there is no one-size fits-all approach to alleviating loneliness in older population groups and that tailored approaches are more likely to reduce loneliness. A number of different approaches are being used to alleviate loneliness in older adults. These include: leisure activities; therapies; social and community interventions; educational approaches; befriending; and system-wide activities, such as changing the cultures of care. There was no evidence of approaches doing any harm, however there was a suggestion that some technology-based approaches are not suitable for everyone and could reinforce a sense of social isolation. A wide variety of loneliness measures were used, and the concept of loneliness was not clearly defined, with the terms loneliness and social isolation often used interchangeably. The results from controlled study designs in community settings and care homes showed no effect of interventions on loneliness. However, the review notes that loneliness is seldom reported as a primary outcome in the published literature. The review makes a number of recommendations for policy. (Edited publisher abstract)
An option to keep open
- Author:
- VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 13.2.92, 1992, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Argues that the advocates of community care ignore some of the important functions undertaken by hospital long term care, which may include rehabilitation and be more attuned to the wishes and needs of elderly people.
Health and health care in later life
- Author:
- VICTOR Christina
- Publisher:
- Open University
- Publication year:
- 1991
- Pagination:
- 190p.,tables,diags.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Milton Keynes
Looks at the health status and at the health beliefs and behaviour of older people. Goes on to describe current patterns of health and social care utilization by older people and concludes with a discussion of how these may be affected by recent policy changes in Britain.