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Social isolation’s influence on loneliness among older adults
- Author:
- TAYLOR Harry Owen
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 48(1), 2020, pp.140-151.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Social isolation and loneliness are significant risks to health among older adults. Previous studies have found a significant association between social isolation and loneliness; however, few studies examined the association between social isolation and loneliness in a multivariate context and how specific types of social isolation influence loneliness. This study fills this gap by examining social isolation’s overall influence on loneliness and how specific social isolation indicators influence loneliness. Data comes from 2014 Wave of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of adults aged 50 and older. Social isolation was operationalized using seven indicators as social isolation from: (1) adult–children, (2) other family members, (3) friends, (4) living alone, (5) being unmarried, and (6) not participating in social groups or (7) religious activities. Loneliness was operationalized by the Hughes 3-item loneliness scale. Loneliness was regressed on social isolation and key socio-demographic factors. Results found when social isolation indicators were combined into an index, every unit increase in overall social isolation was associated with an increase in loneliness. Furthermore older adults who were isolated from other family members and from friends, lived alone, were single, and did not participate in social groups or religious activities reported greater loneliness. Study findings demonstrate that greater overall social isolation and specific social isolation indicators are associated with greater loneliness. Clinical practice with older adults can be enhanced by understanding the connections between social isolation and loneliness and which forms of social isolation are more meaningful for perceived loneliness. (Publisher abstract)
Social media and social wellbeing in later life
- Author:
- QUINN Kelly
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(6), 2021, pp.1349-1370.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Social wellbeing is important to health, but maintaining social relations often becomes difficult in later life due to retirement, chronic disease, and the death of spouses and friends. Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, present accessible and low-cost communication technologies that have been demonstrated to enhance feelings of social connection and reduce loneliness in younger age groups. This exploratory study uses a four-week social media training workshop as an intervention in a randomised controlled study to examine whether similar social benefits might be realised for those at older ages, aged 65+ years. Social wellbeing measures of social capital, loneliness, social connectedness and social provisions were examined, revealing only small differences in social integration. As these findings seemingly contradict studies conducted with younger persons, the contexts of social media use in older adulthood are discussed, along with proposals for future research directions. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘Big Five’ personality characteristics are associated with loneliness but not with social network size in older adults, irrespective of depression
- Authors:
- SCHUTTER N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Psychogeriatrics, 32(1), 2020, pp.53-63.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge Journals
Objective: Loneliness and social isolation have negative health consequences and are associated with depression. Personality characteristics are important when studying persons at risk for loneliness and social isolation. The objective of this study was to clarify the association between personality factors, loneliness and social network, taking into account diagnosis of depression, partner status and gender. Design: Cross-sectional data of an ongoing prospective cohort study, the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO), were used. Setting and participants: 474 participants were recruited from mental health care institutions and general practitioners in five different regions in the Netherlands. Measurements: NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) personality factors and loneliness and social network were measured as well as possible confounders. Multinominal logistic regression analyses were performed to analyse the associations between NEO-FFI factors and loneliness and social network. Interaction terms were investigated for depression, partner status and gender. Results: Higher neuroticism and lower extraversion in women and lower agreeableness in both men and women were associated with loneliness but not with social network size irrespective of the presence of depression. In the non-depressed group only, lower openness was associated with loneliness. Interaction terms with partner status were not significant. Conclusions: Personality factors are associated with loneliness especially in women. In men lower agreeableness contributes to higher loneliness. In non-depressed men and women, lower openness is associated with loneliness. Personality factors are not associated with social network size. (Edited publisher abstract)
Childhood memories, family ties, sibling support and loneliness in ever-widowed older adults: quantitative and qualitative results
- Authors:
- MERZ Eva-Maria, GIERVELD Jenny de Jong
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(3), 2016, pp.534-561.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Family relationships play a major role in individuals' lives and can be a source of comfort, support and protection during the entire lifecourse. Particularly in the context of life events, such as widowhood, family relationships may be salient for (older) adults in coping with feelings of grief, loss and loneliness. Using Dutch survey data and 18 in-depth interviews from a sub-sample, this study examines the role of family relationships through the lifespan in reducing loneliness among ever-widowed older adults (i.e. persons who have at some time during their life experienced the death of a spouse). Particular attention was paid to childhood memories, family ties and support from siblings. Quantitative analyses examined associations between loneliness and childhood experiences of relationships with parents, family ties and sibling support. Qualitative data elucidated how ever-widowed adults recall relations with parents and siblings and experience current family relations. Quantitative and qualitative data showed that emotional support from siblings reduced loneliness. Additionally, positive memories of childhood relationships and current family ties were negatively related to loneliness. In times of ever-increasing longevity, work detailing how family relationships across the lifecourse are supportive in alleviating loneliness is a key issue on the social research and policy agenda. (Publisher abstract)
The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the first in a two part series summarising UCL research and exploring the policy implications of the work, focuses on social relationships and subjective wellbeing. It highlights that the loneliest and most socially isolated individuals have consistently lower levels of subjective wellbeing than older people who are more socially connected. Both the size of an individual's social network and their frequency of contact with that network are positively associated with wellbeing over 6 years of follow up. While older people begin to see a rise in their wellbeing in later life, those who are socially isolated do not. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how a rapidly ageing population could potentially lead to greater numbers of lonely and socially isolated older people if nothing is done to address this issue. It then explores the policy implications of the research, showing that while social isolation and loneliness among older people have been rising up the policy agenda in recent years, the true extent of the loneliness problem is not currently fully known as the government only measures loneliness among those in care or caring for others. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preventing loneliness and social isolation for older people: prompt cards for those who provide support
- Authors:
- MOFFAT Vivien, MUNRO Fiona
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 23
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
A set prompt cards, designed for people who work with or support older people, and aim to help prevent loneliness and social isolation. The cards prompt those who provide such support to think about whether older people may be at risk of social isolation or loneliness and to think about ways to help them keep connected. (Edited publisher abstract)
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)
Effect of social networks and well-being on acute care needs
- Authors:
- SINTONEN Sanna, PEHKONEN Aini
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(1), 2014, pp.87-95.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The effect of social surroundings has been noted as an important component of the well-being of elderly people. A strong social network and strong and steady relationships are necessary for coping when illness or functional limitations occur in later life. Vulnerability can affect well-being and functioning particularly when sudden life changes occur. The objective of this study was to analyse how the determinants of social well-being affect individual acute care needs when sudden life changes occur. Empirical evidence was collected using a cross-sectional mail survey in Finland in January 2011 among individuals aged 55–79 years. The age-stratified random sample covered 3000 individuals, and the eventual response rate was 56% (1680). Complete responses were received from 1282 respondents (42.7%). The study focuses on the compactness of social networks, social disability, the stability of social relationships and the fear of loneliness as well as how these factors influence acute care needs. The measurement was based on a latent factor structure, and the key concepts were measured using two ordinal items. The results of the structural model suggest that the need for care is directly affected by social disability and the fear of loneliness. In addition, social disability is a determinant of the fear of loneliness and therefore plays an important role if sudden life changes occur. The compactness of social networks decreases social disability and partly diminishes the fear of loneliness and therefore has an indirect effect on the need for care. The stability of social relationships was influenced by the social networks and disability, but was an insignificant predictor of care needs. To conclude, social networks and well-being can decrease care needs, and supportive actions should be targeted to avoid loneliness and social isolation so that the informal network could be applied as an aspect of care-giving when acute life changes occur. (Publisher abstract)
An exploration of the value and mechanisms of befriending for older adults in England
- Authors:
- LESTER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(2), February 2012, pp.307-328.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are growing problems. Befriending services are an intervention used in many countries to target social isolation in older adults. The aim of this study was to explore service users’ experiences of befriending and to identify the key components of befriending. Interviews were conducted with 25 older adults who had used one of 5 different befriending services across England. Berkman's theoretical model of how individual social networks impact on health was used as a framework to help interpret the data. The findings suggest that befriending offers some compensation for loss of elective relationships from older adults’ social networks, providing opportunities for emotional support and reciprocal social exchange through development of safe, confiding relationships. Good conversational skills and empathy were the foundation of successful relationships within which commonalities were then sought. Befrienders broadened befriendees’ perspectives on life, particularly among older adults in residential care. Social engagement was a powerful mechanism of action, particularly in terms of connecting people back into the community, reinforcing meaningful social roles and connecting to a past life that had often been significantly disrupted by loss.
Quality of life in older outpatients living alone in the community in Italy
- Authors:
- BILOTTA Claudia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 20(1), January 2012, pp.32-41.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Living alone has been associated with a number of concerns regarding both physical and psychological health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the living conditions of community-dwelling older people and their quality of life (QOL) considered in all its specific domains. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to determine: which dimensions of QOL were independently associated with living alone; and the independent correlates of these dimensions of QOL amongst older outpatients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 239 community-dwelling outpatients aged 65 years and over consecutively referred to a geriatric medicine clinic in Italy between June and November 2009. The participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, which included evaluation of QOL. The findings show that the QOL of older people living alone at home is similar to the QOL of the older adults living with others. Two specific dimensions of QOL were worse in older people living alone: ‘social relationships and participation’ and ‘home and neighbourhood’. Amongst the 107 subjects living alone, depression, having no caregiver, and having never been married were characteristics independently associated with a poor QOL.