Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
The experience of social and emotional loneliness among older people in Ireland
- Authors:
- DRENNAN Jonathan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 28(8), November 2008, pp.1113-1132.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper reports a study of the risk factors for social and emotional loneliness among older people in Ireland. Using the ‘Social and Emotional Scale for Adults’, the social and emotional dimensions of loneliness were measured. Emotional loneliness was conceptualised as having elements of both family loneliness and romantic loneliness. The data were collected through a national telephone survey of loneliness in older people conducted in 2004 that completed interviews with 683 people aged 65 or more years. It was found that levels of social and family loneliness were low, but that romantic loneliness was relatively high. Predictors for social loneliness were identified as greater age, poorer health, living in a rural area, and lack of contact with friends. Living in a rural setting, gender (male), having a lower income, being widowed, no access to transport, infrequent contact with children and relatives and caring for a spouse or relative at home were significant predictors of family loneliness. Romantic loneliness was predicted by marital status, in particular being widowed. Never having married or being divorced or separated were also significant predictors for romantic loneliness.
Older people’s perceptions of the term elder abuse and characteristics associated with a lower level of awareness
- Authors:
- NAUGHTON Corina, DRENNAN Jonathan, LAFFERTY Attracta
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 26(3), 2014, pp.300-318.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A national representative survey of 2,021 community-dwelling older people was carried out in 2010 using face-to-face interviews. The study examined how the term “elder abuse” was understood by this population and identified factors associated with lower levels of awareness. Over 80% of this population recognized the term elder abuse, and 56% demonstrated specific insight related to typologies, locations, and perpetrators of abuse. Less specific responses were given by 22% of participants, and a further 21% could not give a reply. Less specific or “don’t know” responses were independently associated with age 80 years or older, a lower level of education, impaired physical health, and living in economically deprived communities. Despite ongoing public information campaigns, there remained a significant portion of older people who may be unaware of or have limited insight into elder abuse. This study suggests a need for more targeted education campaigns aimed at specific higher-risk groups. (Publisher abstract)