Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Loneliness and social support of older people in China: a systematic literature review
- Authors:
- CHEN Yu, HICKS Allan, WHILE Alison E.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(2), 2014, pp.113-123.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This systematic review aims to identify the prevalence of loneliness and its related factors and sources of social support of older people in China. Electronic literature searches were conducted in September 2011 using Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, China Academic Journal and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals. Twenty-six papers were identified and reviewed. The prevalence of loneliness varied across the studies, reflecting the different measurements and samples. Marital status, gender, age, educational level, economic level, living arrangements, health status and social support were significant factors related to loneliness. The family was the most important source of social support followed by friends. The receipt of family support improved subjective well-being and mental health, but the effects of support from friends were inconsistent. Chinese older people received relatively little support from neighbours, governmental or other social organisations. Further well-designed studies are needed to identify additional factors related to loneliness and to understand the support from friends, neighbours, formal organisations and other sources. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social network types and mental health among LGBT older adults
- Authors:
- KIM Hyun-Jun, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 57(Suppl 1), 2017, pp.S84-S94.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This study was designed to identify social network types among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults and examine the relationship between social network type and mental health. Design and Methods: We analyzed the 2014 survey data of LGBT adults aged 50 and older (N = 2,450) from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study. Latent profile analyses were conducted to identify clusters of social network ties based on 11 indicators. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the association between social network types and mental health. Results: We found five social network types. Ordered from greatest to least access to family, friend, and other non-family network ties, they were diverse, diverse/no children, immediate family-focused, friend-centered/restricted, and fully restricted. The friend-centered/restricted (33%) and diverse/no children network types (31%) were the most prevalent. Among individuals with the friend-centered/restricted type, access to social networks was limited to friends, and across both types children were not present. The least prevalent type was the fully restricted network type (6%). Social network type was significantly associated with mental health, after controlling for background characteristics and total social network size; those with the fully restricted type showed the poorest mental health. Implications: Unique social network types (diverse/no children and friend-centered/restricted) emerge among LGBT older adults. Moreover, individuals with fully restricted social networks are at particular risk due to heightened health needs and limited social resources. This study highlights the importance of understanding heterogeneous social relations and developing tailored interventions to promote social connectedness and mental health in LGBT older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Network type and mortality risk in later life
- Authors:
- LITWIN Howard, SHIOVITZ-EZRA Sharon
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(6), December 2006, pp.735-743.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this study was to examine the association of baseline network type and 7-year mortality risk in later life. The authors executed secondary analysis of all-cause mortality in Israel using data from a 1997 national survey of adults aged 60 and older (N = 5,055) that was linked to records from the National Death Registry up to 2004. Six network types - diverse, friend focused, neighbour focused, family focused, community–clan, and restricted - were then considered in the analysis, controlling for population group, sociodemographic background, and health factors. Network types were associated with mortality in the 70-79 and 80 and older age groups. Respondents located in diverse and friend-focused network types, and to a lesser degree those located in community–clan network types, had a lower risk of mortality compared to individuals belonging to restricted networks. It is concluded that gerontological practitioners should address older adults' social networks in their assessments of clients. The parameters used to derive network types in this study can serve toward the development of practical network type inventories. Moreover, practitioners should tailor the interventions they implement to the different network types in which their elderly clients are embedded.
Performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among three European community-dwelling older adult populations
- Authors:
- LUBBEN James, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(4), August 2006, pp.503-513.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
There is a need for valid and reliable short scales that can be used to assess social networks and social supports and to screen for social isolation in older persons. This study is a cross-national and cross-cultural evaluation of the performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), which was used to screen for social isolation among community-dwelling older adult populations in three European countries. Based on the concept of lack of redundancy of social ties we defined clinical cut-points of the LSNS-6 for identifying persons deemed at risk for social isolation. Among all three samples, the LSNS-6 and two subscales (Family and Friends) demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, stable factor structures, and high correlations with criterion variables. The proposed clinical cut-points showed good convergent validity, and classified 20% of the respondents in Hamburg, 11% of those in Solothurn (Switzerland), and 15% of those in London as at risk for social isolation. The authors conclude that abbreviated scales such as the LSNS-6 should be considered for inclusion in practice protocols of gerontological practitioners. Screening older persons based on the LSNS-6 provides quantitative information on their family and friendship ties, and identifies persons at increased risk for social isolation who might benefit from in-depth assessment and targeted interventions.
When parents relinquish care: informal support networks of older people with intellectual disability
- Author:
- BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 1997, pp.333-344.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with intellectual disability lack the two key providers of informal support in later life, children and a spouse. Using semi-structured interviews this qualitative study examines the informal support networks of 62 older people with intellectual disability who had left parental care after mid-life. Findings indicate that, for this subgroup of older people, normative family roles such as 'protector' and 'facilitator' were fulfilled by informal network members despite the absence spouses or children.
Family and friends in old age, and the implications for informal support: evidence from the British Social Attitudes Survey of 1986
- Author:
- JARVIS Claire
- Publisher:
- Age Concern Institute of Gerontology
- Publication year:
- 1993
- Pagination:
- 24p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Influence of the social network on married and unmarried older adults’ mental health
- Authors:
- STOKES Jeffrey E., MOORMAN Sara M.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(6), 2018, p.1109–1113.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: In later life, adults’ social networks grow smaller through a combination of intentional selection and involuntary loss. This study examined whether older adults who lack a high-quality marriage compensate for this using support from other ties. The authors analysed how relationships with family and friends are associated with depressive symptoms across multiple marital statuses. Design and Methods: Data from 3,371 older adults who participated in the most recent wave of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Results: Individuals in high-quality marriages experienced fewer depressive symptoms than the widowed, never married, divorced/separated, and those in lower-quality marriages. Older adults’ perceived family support, family strain, and friend strain were all significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The only difference in these effects according to marital status was for perceived family support, which was strongest for the never married. Implications: The never married may depend more on family and friends than the previously or unhappily married. Any compensation efforts among the latter failed to reduce depressive symptoms relative to happily married others. Older adults in high-quality marriages benefit from their marital relationship, and also benefit from supportive family and friend ties. (Edited publisher abstract)
Circles of support and mutual caring
- Author:
- TOWERS Christine
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A number of people with learning disabilities are providing regular and substantial care for their ageing relatives. In many cases, neither person would be able to remain living independently without this support. This is known as mutual caring. This booklet is aimed at workers and other people who know these families. The aim is to encourage people to think about the importance of support networks for these families and to develop Circles of Support to improve these. A Circle of Support is a group of family, friends and supportive workers who come together to give support and friendship to a person. The booklet describes: why Circles of Support are a good idea for older families where there is mutual caring; how Circles of Support can make a difference to older families where people are supporting each other; and 10 steps to setting up a Circle of Support. It also describes a case study of how a Circle of Support is helping a mother and daughter make choices and changes.
Never a dull moment? Promoting social well-being in extra care housing
- Authors:
- EVANS Simon, VALLELLY Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 10(4), December 2007, pp.14-20.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Extra care housing is an increasingly popular form of housing care for older people, largely because of its potential for maximising independence by providing flexible care and support. However, far less attention has been paid to another important aspect of quality of life, social well-being. This article reports on a research project that explored good practice in promoting social well-being in extra care housing. The authors identify several key factors in supporting the social lives of residents and present recommendations for good practice.
Social relations beyond the family? Exploring elderly South Asian women's friendships in London
- Author:
- MAND Kanwal
- Journal article citation:
- Community Work and Family, 9(3), August 2006, pp.309-323.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In exploring elderly South Asian women's networks this paper critiques the predominant focus on kinship (based on descent and or affinity) that has been the prism through which South Asian women's lives have been explored. Through research carried out at weekly meetings attended by elderly South Asian women, this paper addresses the significance of friendships for migrant South Asian women. The paper highlights how networks are formed, maintained and alter according to the stage in the life course and geographical place.