Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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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)
Only connect? older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults and social capital
- Authors:
- CRONIN Ann, KING Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 34(2), 2014, pp.258-279.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The concept of social capital is widely used in the social sciences and has, to an extent, been applied to the lives and social networks of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (hereafter LGB) adults. Developing existing research, this paper argues that while not without its problems, the concept of social capital enriches our understanding of these networks, whilst simultaneously deconstructing the negative stereotypes surrounding homosexuality in later life. However, little attention has been paid to the social factors that mediate access and participation in lesbian and gay communities and the implications of this on the quality and experience of later life. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in the United Kingdom, this paper illustrates how biography, gender and socio-economic status are significant mediators in the development and maintenance of social capital by older LGB adults. It concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at improving the social capital of older LGB adults, together with the importance of ‘queering’ the concept itself. (Publisher abstract)
Social capital, support networks and black elderly persons
- Author:
- HOWES F.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Maatskaplike Werk, 43(2), June 2007, pp.177-190.
As social capital plays a pivotal role in the social welfare policy of the Western Cape, this article examines the nature of social capital and social networks. It explores the social networks of older Black people in one black residential area of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, to determine the state of social capital in that community. The findings indicate that bonding social capital and bridging social capital is present in the community , but linking social capital (ie that which reaches out to unlike people is dissimilar situations) is very low. It is recommended that this age cohort be used to enlarge social capital in that community.
Assessment of multiple constructs of social integration for older adults living in nursing homes
- Authors:
- LEEDAHL Skye N., SELLON Alicia M., CHAPIN Rosemary K.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(5), 2018, pp.526-548.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A variety of terms and measures have been used in the literature to denote being socially integrated, and many studies of older adults focus on only social networks or social support and often only include those living in the community. The purpose of this study was to assess multiple constructs of social integration (i.e., social networks, social capital, social support, and social engagement) for older adults in nursing homes. Data were collected from 140 older adults at 30 nursing homes in Kansas. Older adults’ were interviewed in-person using a survey questionnaire, and used multilevel confirmatory factor analysis to analyse the data. The final model that included the four constructs had acceptable fit (χ2 = 174.71; df = 112; p < .01; CFI = .93; RMSEA = .06; SRMR-W = .06; SRMR-B = .12). The results showed that the proposed model was supported at the individual level. At the between-level, social networks and social support were supported. Study results have methodological and practice/policy implications for the study of older adults in long term care settings. In particular, this study contributes to understanding how to operationally define and differentiate social integration variables in studies of older adults, particularly when study data are hierarchical. (Edited publisher abstract)
Community building for old age: breaking new ground. The UK's first senior cohousing community, High Barnet
- Author:
- BRENTON Maria
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 15
- Place of publication:
- London
This case study describes an initiative developed by the Older Women’s Cohousing (OWCH) group, who understanding that living alone as they grew old could leave them vulnerable, looked to each other to develop and share their social capital. The group have developed a cohousing community based on shared responsibility and mutual support. The model offers a template whereby older people can actively collaborate to live as friendly helpful neighbours at the very least, whether they move house or not. (Edited publisher abstract)
Bonds, bridges and ties: applying social capital theory to LGBT people’s housing concerns later in life
- Authors:
- KING Andrew, CRONIN Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 17(1), 2016, pp.16-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to contribute to debates about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) housing later in life by placing these in the theoretical context of social capital theory. Design/methodology/approach: After a discussion of social capital theory, emanating from the works of Robert Putnam and Pierre Bourdieu, the paper draws on existing studies of LGBT housing later in life, identifying key concerns that are identified by this body of literature. Findings: The paper then applies social capital theory to the themes drawn from the LGBT housing later in life literature to illustrate the usefulness of putting these in such a theoretical context. Originality/value: The paper fills an important gap in how the authors think about LGBT housing later in life; as something that is framed by issues of social networks and connections and the benefits, or otherwise, that accrue from them. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social capital and self-rated health among older adults: a comparative analysis of Finland, Poland and Spain
- Authors:
- KOUTSOGEORGOU Eleni, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(3), 2015, pp.653-667.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The aim of this paper is to investigate the association between structural and cognitive aspects of social capital and self-rated health among adults aged 50 or more, living in three countries: Finland, Poland and Spain. The study, which was based on data from the European Social Survey (2008/09), was a part of the EU research project COURAGE in Europe. More specifically the paper assesses the association between social capital indicators - informal social network and general trust - and good self-rated health through single-level and joint effects analyses. The results showed that Finland was a country of high social capital, in terms of both social networks and general trust, while Spain showed low levels of general trust and Poland low levels of informal social networks. As to the association between social capital and self-rated health, high levels of general trust and high networks were found to be associated with good health among all countries' respondents. Older persons living in partnerships, with higher education, higher levels of engagement in informal networks and general trust, were found to be more likely to show good self-rated health. The comparative analyses revealed different associations between social capital and health according to country. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of social capital on depression among older Chinese and Korean immigrants: similarities and differences
- Authors:
- KIM Bum Jung, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 17(7), 2013, pp.844-852.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Using data collected from both 172 Chinese and 210 Korean immigrants living in Los Angeles County, this study examines similarities and differences in terms of the influence of social capital on depression among older Chinese and Korean immigrants. The variables included depression Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, (GDS-SF), social capital (five indices of norms, trust, partnership in community, information sharing, and political participation), and demographics. The study found that partnership in community was significantly associated with a lower level of depression for both the groups. Political participation was only associated with a lower level of depression for older Chinese immigrants. Also, norms and information sharing were only associated with a lower level of depression for older Korean immigrants. There was an evidence for the correlation between social capital and depression in older Chinese and Korean immigrant population. It suggests the needs to develop social programs and service in order to build more social capital for older immigrants. (Edited publisher abstract)
The importance of neighborhood social cohesion and social capital for the well being of older adults in the community
- Authors:
- CRAMM Jane M., DIJK Hanna M. van, NIEBOER Anna P.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 53(1), 2013, pp.142-152.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This cross-sectional study investigates whether social capital (obtaining support through indirect ties such as from neighbours) and social cohesion (interdependencies among neighbours) within neighborhoods positively affect the well being of older adults. The study included 945 of 1,440 (66% response rate) independently living older adults (aged ≥70 years) in Rotterdam. A hierarchical random effects model was used to account for the hierarchical structure of the study design: 945 older adults (Level 1) nested in 72 neighborhoods (Level 2). Univariate analyses showed that being born in the Netherlands, house ownership, education, income, social capital of individuals, neighbourhood security, neighbourhood services, neighbourhood social capital, and neighbourhood social cohesion were significantly related to the well being of older adults. Multilevel analyses showed that social capital of individuals, neighbourhood services, neighbourhood social capital, and neighbourhood social cohesion predicted the well being of older adults. Single and poor older adults reported lower well being than did better off and married older adults. However, the effects of marital status and income were mediated by neighborhood services, social capital, and social cohesion. Neighbourhood services, social capital, and social cohesion may act as buffer against the adverse effects of being single and poor on the well being of older adults. The results support the importance of social capital of individuals, as well as social capital within the neighbourhood and social cohesion within the neighbourhood for well being of older adults. The well being of older adults may also be enhanced through the improvement of quality of neighborhood services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Senior cohousing communities: an alternative approach for the UK?
- Author:
- BRENTON Maria
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- York
This paper examines the notion of ‘cohousing’, draws on examples of cohousing from outside the UK and assesses the potential for cohousing in the UK. It was commissioned as part of the JRF programme on A Better Life, which aims to increase understanding of what can help older people with high support needs now and in the future. Cohousing is a form of group living which clusters individual homes around a ‘common house’ or shared space and amenities. Run and controlled entirely by members of the group working together, it is based on mutual support, self-governance and active participation. Two cohousing models exist, the inter-generational or family-based model and senior cohousing, for age-peer groups usually over the age of fifty. Cohousing is a way of living both ‘apart and together’ with a collaborative group of neighbours who know each other and sign up to certain values. They work to develop the social capital that creates and maintains a sense of community. This report draws on two events in Spring 2012. The first, in York, brought together people aged over 50, mainly from existing or recently formed groups interested in cohousing. The second, in Dunfermline, included representatives of local authorities and housing associations with people aged over 50.