Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Social support in later life: a study of three areas
- Authors:
- PHILLIPS Judith, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 30(6), December 2000, pp.837-853.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The research reported in this article examines elderly people's family and community networks in three urban areas of England: Bethnal Green, Wolverhampton and Woodford. These were the locations for a number of major studies in the 1940s and 1950s. Four decades on from the original studies, a social network approach was used to explore changes in the social relationships in these three areas. The research sought to assess whom older people identified as 'important' in their lives, and the role such people played in the provision and receipt of support.
The impact of informal social networks on the elderly's need for services
- Authors:
- ZELL M., GIBSON J.W.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 14(3/4), 1989, pp.3-18.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The authors found that elderly people without informal support expressed only slightly greater service needs than those with support: discusses implications for service planning.
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)
Reaping caregiver feelings of gain: the roles of socio-emotional support and mastery
- Authors:
- SHIRAI Yumi Shirai, KOERNER Susan Silverberg, KENYON DenYelle Baete
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(1), January 2009, pp.106-117.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Existing studies indicate that the presence of social support increases the likelihood of caregivers experiencing feelings of gain from caregiving; however, researchers have not yet investigated the mechanism through which social support is linked to caregiver feelings of gain. Informed by Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, the present study investigated whether a sense of caregiving mastery serves as a key mechanism. Sixty-three family caregivers of dependent elders completed surveys to assess caregiver feelings of gain, socio-emotional support (from family, friends, spouse/partner) and mastery. To evaluate the hypothesized mediation model, a series of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted with the maximum likelihood method by Lisrel 8.8. Socio-emotional support from family members was found to be an important resource for caregiver feelings of gain. SEM analyses further revealed that the mechanisms by which socio-emotional support influences caregiver feelings of gain vary depending on its source (i.e. family members, friends, and partners). As hypothesized, caregiving mastery played a mediating role for non-partner family socio-emotional support whereas it did not for partner socio-emotional support. Based on availability or absence of specific sources of support, caregiver intervention programs should be individually tailored to enhance their potential impact.
Social networks and depressive symptoms among elderly women and men in Havana, Cuba
- Authors:
- SICOTTE Maryline, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(2), March 2008, pp.193-201.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study aimed to examine the main and the stress-buffering effects of social networks on depressive symptoms among elderly Cuban men and women living in La Havana. Information was gathered from a representative sample of the elderly population in Havana (n = 1905), as part of the SABE (Salud, Bienestary Enuejecimiento) study. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The structure and function of social networks were studied. Gender-specific multivariate logistic regressions were fitted to test the main (independent of stressors) and the stress-buffering effects (in the presence of financial strain or disabilities) on depressive symptoms. Social ties were associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in women and men independently of the presence of stressors. Women who were or had been married, lived in an extended family, and enjoyed balanced exchanges with relatives and children reported low prevalence of depressive symptoms. Men were less likely to report depressive symptoms if they were currently married, and did not live alone. Social networks buffered the effect of financial strain on depression, but not in the event of disability. In Cuba, networks centred on children and extended family were associated with low frequency of depressive symptoms, ruling contrary to common findings in developed societies. These living arrangements have an important role in buffering the impact of financial strain on depressive symptoms.
The role of social support in adult day services utilization
- Authors:
- DABELKO Holly I., GREGOIRE Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Long-Term Care, 3(3/4), 2005, pp.205-221.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Using an administrative data set (N = 129), this exploratory study examines individual and environmental factors that discriminate the reasons for disenrollment from five medical/social adult day health programs in Central Ohio. The social ecological model is used to identify pertinent variables and to test the “goodness of fit” between participants and adult day services. Because most older adults prefer to live in the community until the end of their lives, those participants who disenroll into a nursing facility or no longer need services are not considered a good fit compared to those who remain enrolled until death. A multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the influence of each variable on the likelihood of disenrollment due to death, institutionalization, or opting out of services. Being married and having an immediate family member as a primary caregiver both made a significant contribution to the reason for disenrolling from the adult day programs. The findings suggest social support is critical to determining who is best served by adult day services. Social work practitioners and policy-makers are encouraged to explore creative ways to create and support informal caregivers. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Social support of older people in Australia and Japan
- Authors:
- KENDIG Hal, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 19(2), March 1999, pp.185-207.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines the extent to which older Japanese reflect more traditional or more modern patterns in their informal relationships. The article makes comparisons of areas in rural and urban Japan, and uses Sydney to provide a comparison with a Western city. Concludes that in these two advanced countries older peoples relationships may be converging on the basis of selective affection and choice, rather than obligation, with individuals in and beyond the household and the family.
Care in the community - the Western Isles model
- Author:
- MACRITCHIE Christine A.
- Journal article citation:
- Elders the Journal of Care and Practice, 2(3), August 1993, pp.48-50.
Describes the author's experiences as a carer in an isolated community.
Factors associated with the configuration of helping networks of noninstitutionalized elders
- Author:
- COWARD R.T.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 10(1/2), 1987, pp.113-132.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
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Coronavirus and social relationships and support for vulnerable groups: 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Office for National Statistics
- Publisher:
- Office for National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- Newport
This statistical release looks at the ways in which vulnerable groups, including older adults and those with a self-defined disability or who are Equality Act Disabled, normally receive support from their family, friends and wider community. This could be having help with shopping, providing or cooking meals or looking after grandchildren. It aims to develop a greater understanding of how a period of isolation, such as during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, might impact those in need of extra support. Data is at the UK level. Where this has not been possible, England-level data have been used. (Edited publisher abstract)