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The relationships that matter: social network site use and social wellbeing among older adults in the United States of America
- Authors:
- YU Rebecca P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(9), 2016, pp.1826-1852.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
An increasing number of middle-aged and older Americans are using social network sites (SNSs), but little research has addressed how SNS use is associated with social wellbeing outcomes in this population. Using a nationally representative sample of 1,620 Americans older than 50 from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we examine the relationship between older adults’ SNS use and social wellbeing associated with non-kin and kin relations and explore how these associations vary by age. Results of ordinary least-squares regression analyses suggest that SNS use is positively associated with non-kin-related social wellbeing outcomes, including perceived support from friends (β = 0.13; p < 0.001; N = 460) and feelings of connectedness (β = 0.10; p < 0.001; N = 463). Regression models employing interaction terms of age and SNS use further reveal that SNS use contributes to feelings of connectedness to a greater extent as people age (β = 0.10; p < 0.001; N = 463). Of all kin-related social wellbeing outcomes, SNS use only predicts increased perceived support from children (β = 0.08; p < 0.05; N = 410), and age negatively shapes this relationship (β = −0.14; p < 0.001; N = 410). As older people engage with an increasingly smaller and narrower network with a greater proportion of kin contacts, our results suggest that SNS use may help older adults access differential social benefits throughout later life. (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)
The mental health experiences of older people during the pandemic
- Authors:
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION, INDEPENDENT AGE
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 38
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing reports some specific findings from the ‘Coronavirus: Mental Health in the Pandemic’ study looking at the experience of older people. Since mid-March 2020, the project has undertaking regular, repeated online surveys of more than 4000 adults who are representative of people aged 18+ living in the UK. The most recent statistics reported in this briefing come from Wave 11 of the study, with data collected from 4004 individuals between 18 June to 2nd July 2021. The study also comprised a qualitative investigation in the form of 14 in-depth interviews with older people aged over 60yrs. Key messages include: many people in later life have coped well and shown resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic but some have faced challenges that have caused worry and anxiety and negatively affected their mental health and wellbeing; often, overlapping challenges included bereavement, chronic loneliness, long term or voluntary shielding, deterioration in physical health mobility or confidence, difficulty accessing health and services and challenges using public transport; for some older people, the end of lockdown restrictions did not make much difference; there was no happy return to normal; the pandemic has highlighted the value and importance of being digitally connected, especially for social connection and contact with health professionals and other care providers; important coping strategies for some people in later life have been going for a walk outside, contacting family, spending time in green spaces, and keeping up to date with relevant information. Governments must ensure that their mental health wellbeing and recovery plans fully consider the needs of people in later life. This must include a focus on social connection, bereavement support. and appropriate routes to access treatment and care to bolster people’s mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
A qualitative study about the mental health and wellbeing of older adults in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors:
- MCKINLAY A.R., FANCOURT D., BURTON A.
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Geriatrics, 21(439), 2021, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central Ltd
Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine factors that threatened and protected the wellbeing of older adults living in the UK during social distancing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured telephone or video interviews with 20 adults aged over 70. Purposive sampling methods were used to increase diversity within the group. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants described potential threats to their wellbeing during the pandemic, including fears for mortality, grieving normal life, and concerns for the future. Participants also described activities and behaviours that helped to protect their mental health, including adopting a slower pace of life, maintaining routine, socialising, and using past coping skills. Many participants drew on their resilience and life experience to self-manage fear and uncertainty associated with the pandemic, using their time during lockdown to reflect or organise end-of-life affairs. Discussion: This study provides UK-based evidence that while some older adults experienced challenges during the first wave of COVID-19, many were resilient throughout social distancing restrictions despite early reported concerns of mental health consequences among the older adult population. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining access to essentials to promote feelings of normality and use of social support to help reduce uncertainty in times of pandemics. (Edited publisher abstract)
Interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living alone: a mixed-methods systematic review of effectiveness and accessibility
- Authors:
- JOHNSTONE Georgina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(7), 2021, pp.1587-1636.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The global population is ageing and the likelihood of living alone increases with age. Services are necessary to help older people living alone to optimise health and wellbeing. This systematic review aimed to summarise the effectiveness and accessibility of interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people living alone. Relevant electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched for all years up to August 2018. Studies were included if they involved older people (aged ⩾55 years) living alone, and an intervention with measured health and wellbeing outcomes. All study types were included. The Theory of Access was used to assess interventions across dimensions of accessibility, availability, acceptability, affordability, adequacy and awareness. Twenty-eight studies met the eligibility criteria; 17 studies focused on ageing safely in place and 11 on psychological and social wellbeing. Studies comprised quantitative (N = 19), qualitative (N = 4) and mixed-methods (N = 5) approaches. Dimensions from the Theory of Access were poorly addressed in the studies, particularly those of higher-quality methodology. Studies were heterogeneous, preliminary in scope and lacked consistent study design, methodology or measurement. Services that do not address user accessibility in design or evaluation may be limited in their uptake and impact. It is recommended that dimensions of access and co-creation principles be integrated into service design processes and be evaluated alongside clinical effectiveness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Using technology to measure older adults’ social networks for health and well-being: a scoping review
- Authors:
- WEI Sijia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, early cite 23 March 2021, p.gnab039.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Social networks impact the health and well-being of older adults. Advancements in technology (e.g., digital devices and mHealth) enrich our ability to collect social networks and health data. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map the use of technology in measuring older adults' social networks for health and social care. Research Design and Methods: Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was followed. PubMed (MEDLINE), Sociological Abstracts, SocINDEX, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles. Conference abstracts and proceedings were searched via Conference Papers Index, the American Sociological Society, and The Gerontological Society of America. Studies published in English from January 2004 to March 2020 that aimed to improve health or social care for older adults and used technology to measure social networks were included. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using an a priori extraction tool. Results: The majority of the 18 reviewed studies were pilot or simulation research conducted in Europe that focused on older adults living in the community. The various types of technologies used can be categorized as environment-based, person-based, and data-based. Discussion and Implications: Technology facilitates objective and longitudinal data collection on the social interactions and activities of older adults. The use of technology to measure older adults' social networks, however, is primarily in an exploratory phase. Multidisciplinary collaborations are needed to overcome operational, analytical, and implementation challenges. Future studies should leverage technologies for addressing social isolation and care for older adults, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age differences in stress, life changes, and social ties during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for psychological well-being
- Authors:
- BIRDITT Kira S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(2), 2021, pp.205-216.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Experiences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its implications for psychological well-being may vary widely across the adult life span. The present study examined age differences in pandemic-related stress and social ties, and links with psychological well-being. Research Design and Methods: Participants included 645 adults (43% women) aged 18–97 (M = 50.8; SD = 17.7) from the May 2020 nationally representative Survey of Consumers. Participants reported the extent to which they felt stress related to the pandemic in the last month, the extent to which their lives had changed due to the pandemic, as well as social isolation, negative relationship quality, positive relationship quality, and frequency of depression, anxiety, and rumination in the past week. Results: Results showed that older people reported less pandemic-related stress, less life change, less social isolation, and lower negative relationship quality than younger people. Greater pandemic-related stress, life change, social isolation, and negative relationship quality were associated with poorer psychological well-being. Poorer social ties (i.e., greater social isolation and negative quality) exacerbated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (stress, life change) on psychological well-being. Discussion and Implications: Researchers have indicated that older adults may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 pandemic-related stress and social isolation, but this study indicates that young adults may be relatively more vulnerable. Because isolation and negative relationship quality appear to exacerbate the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being, reducing social isolation and negative relations are potential targets for intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
New horizons in supporting older people's health and wellbeing: is social prescribing a way forward?
- Authors:
- HAMILTON-WEST Kate, MILNE Alisoun, HOTHAM Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 49(3), 2020, p.319–326.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Older people’s health and care needs are changing. Increasing numbers live with the combined effects of age-related chronic illness or disability, social isolation and/or poor mental health. Social prescribing has potential to benefit older people by helping those with social, emotional or practical needs to access relevant services and resources within the local community. However, researchers have highlighted limitations with the existing evidence-base, while clinicians express concerns about the quality of onward referral services, liability and upfront investment required. The current article provides a critical review of evidence on social prescribing, drawing on the RE-AIM Framework (Glasgow et al., 1999) to identify questions that will need to be addressed in order to inform both the design and delivery of services and the evolving research agenda around social prescribing. The authors emphasise the need for researchers and planners to work together to develop a more robust evidence-base, advancing understanding of the impacts of social prescribing (on individuals, services and communities), factors associated with variation in outcomes and strategies needed to implement effective and sustainable programmes. They also call on policymakers to recognise the need for investment in allied initiatives to address barriers to engagement in social prescribing programmes, provide targeted support for carers and improve access to older adult mental health services. The article concludes that social prescribing has potential to support older people’s health and wellbeing, but this potential will only be realised through strategic alignment of research, local level implementation and national policy and investment. (Edited publisher abstract)
ESSS Outline: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness
- Author:
- SAUNDERS Robert C.
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This summary provides an overview of recent evidence relating to: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness. A search for academic research and grey literature identified a range of literature discussing isolation and loneliness, including the mental and physical effects they have, particularly around older people. Literature also suggests interventions that can help mitigate the health and mental health impact of loneliness. However, it found the quality of evidence for the majority of interventions is generally weak. Searches identified material relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown in the UK, as well as studies from isolated, confined and extreme environments, and from other pandemics around the world. (Edited publisher abstract)
Better off alone: daily solitude is associated with lower negative affect in more conflictual social networks
- Author:
- BIRDITT Kira S.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 59(6), 2019, pp.1152-1161.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Older adults are often considered at risk for social isolation. Little is known, however, about how often older adults lack social contact (in person, phone, electronic) throughout the day, the implications of lacking contact (i.e., solitude), and whether the effects of solitude vary by the broader social context. Research Design and Methods: Participants were from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study (DEWS) which included 313 older adults (aged 65+) who completed baseline interviews followed by 5–6 days of ecological momentary assessments approximately every 3 hr. Results: Individuals reported having no social contact (i.e., solitude) on 11% of the occasions. Solitude predicted lower negative and positive affect on those occasions. The solitude-negative affect link varied by social network quality. Solitude predicted lower negative affect among individuals with more conflictual social networks but not among those with less conflictual networks. Discussion and Implications: Overall, solitude may serve as an adaptive strategy for individuals embedded in demanding or irritating social contexts. (Edited publisher abstract)