Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 5 of 5
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)
Exploring gender, age, time and space in research with older Pakistani Muslims in the United Kingdom: formalised research 'ethics' and performances of the public/private divide in 'the field'
- Authors:
- ZUBAIR Maria, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(5), 2015, pp.961-985.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Reflecting on the authors experiences of undertaking fieldwork for the Economic and Social Research Council New Dynamics of Ageing study of ‘Families and Caring in South Asian Communities', this paper maps out the key methodological and ethical challenges for researching ageing ethnic minority populations and highlights the importance of developing socially appropriate research methodologies and ethical frameworks for carrying out research. Using a reflexive approach, the paper explores the significance of gender, age, time and space to the fieldwork processes and the ‘field’ relationships formed at various stages of the research process. In particular it focuses on three key emergent issues which presented particular challenges for the authors and their older Pakistani Muslim participants: (a) structuring of time in daily life; (b) gendered use of public and private spaces; and (c) orality of informal social contexts and relationships. Using illustrations from fieldwork and performativities of public/private identities, the authors highlight important tensions between formalised ethical and methodological dimensions of conducting funded research and the realities of being in ‘the field’. The paper concludes by emphasising the need to explore further not only the ways in which researchers can adopt more socially and culturally sensitive data collection processes and methodologies at the micro level of their interactions with research participants, but also contextualising the particular challenges experienced by researchers and their participants in terms of the wider research frameworks and agendas as well as the broader social contexts within which they live and work. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people’s perceptions of assistive technology – an exploratory pan-European study
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Veronika, MCCRINDLE Rachel, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 18(1), February 2010, pp.38-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper describes a survey undertaken to explore how assistive technology in the form of a wrist-worn device is perceived by older people. The survey was part of a larger study funded by EU Framework 6, ENABLE, which involved development of a wrist-worn assistive technology device capable of providing a variety of functions such as an alarm system, falls detection, navigation through GPS and an event reminder, thus enabling older people and their carers to live more independently and with reassurance. The purpose of the survey was to gain insights into the general issues that concern older people if they are required to wear and use assistive technology, and to identify more specifically the views of older people on the potential functionalities of the intended, future wrist-worn device. The questionnaire was sent out to participants in the UK, Czech Republic, Greece, and Belgium, and 158 completed questionnaires were returned. The results demonstrated a number of older people engaging with technology; a large number used a mobile phone, and almost half owned and used a computer and the internet. The device functions relating to emergency alarm systems and fall detections were rated as important. However, despite the potential benefits, it is clear from the results of the survey that privacy and confidentiality are significant concerns which can impede successful implementation.
Caring and earning among low-income Caribbean, Pakistani and Somali people: summary
- Authors:
- KHAN Omar, VICTOR Christina, AHMET Akile
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- York
Summarises the key findings of qualitative and quantitative research with low-income Caribbean, Pakistani and Somali people on their experiences and preferences of balancing work and care. It focuses on three caring scenarios: caring for children, caring for disabled children and caring for older people. Research methods included a literature review, a 1200 person survey on informal care among ethnic minorities, 60 related interviews on informal caring, 42 interviews on childcare in these three communities (including 10 among families caring for a disabled child). The findings are discussed under four main themes: access to employment; the role of cultural or religious beliefs in influencing attitudes to caring and formal care services; the availability of information and advice. and the impact of Universal Credit and other benefit changes. Key findings note that discrimination is a key barrier in balancing work and care and that benefit changes are likely to make it more difficult for low-income ethnic minorities to balance work and care. Many Pakistani and Somali families were also unaware of free child care provision; . The research did not find generic attitudes towards 'caring' within and across minority groups. (Edited publisher abstract)
Balancing caring and earning for British Caribbean, Pakistani and Somali people: report
- Authors:
- KHAN Omar, AHMET Akile, VICTOR Christina
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 86
- Place of publication:
- York
This report presents qualitative and quantitative research with low-income Caribbean, Pakistani and Somali people on their experiences and preferences in relation to balancing work and care. It focuses on three caring scenarios: caring for children, caring for disabled children and caring for older people. Research methods comprised of a literature review, a 1200 person survey on informal care among ethnic minorities, 60 related interviews on informal caring, 42 interviews on childcare in these three communities (including 10 among families caring for a disabled child). The findings are discussed under four main themes: access to employment; the role of cultural or religious beliefs in influencing attitudes to caring and formal care services; the availability of information and advice. and the impact of Universal Credit and other benefit changes. Key findings note that discrimination is a key barrier in balancing work and care and that benefit changes are likely to make it more difficult for low-income ethnic minorities to balance work and care. Many Pakistani and Somali families were also unaware of free child care provision; . The research did not find generic attitudes towards 'caring' within and across minority groups. (Edited publisher abstract)