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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 relationship between mental wellbeing and financial management among older people: an analysis using the third wave of Understanding Society
- Authors:
- HAYES David, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. Personal Finance Research Centre, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
This new analysis shows statistically significant relationships between age and both increased levels of mental wellbeing and people reporting they are managing their financial situation more comfortably. It corroborates previous research (C Fitch et al, in Mental Health Review Journal, 2011) suggesting that one in four people with mental health problems are in debt, while one in two people in debt have a mental health problem. This analysis also suggests that after controlling for a range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics, older people who are struggling to manage their finances have eight times the odds of having reduced levels of mental wellbeing. Fitch et al suggested that debt may be both a cause and consequence of mental health problems. This work supports the assertion that poor mental health is exacerbated by financial problems and, though questions of causality remain, indicates that mental wellbeing and financial management are inextricably intertwined. This working paper is published by the Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC) at the University of Bristol and the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK). The research has been produced as part of the ILC-UK and PFRC project on “financial wellbeing in older age” funded by the ESRC’s Secondary Data Analysis Initiative. It looks at the relationship between mental wellbeing and self-reported financial management among those aged 50 and over in the United Kingdom.1 These findings are drawn from the third wave (2011) of Understanding Society, a large social survey begun in 2009, which captures information on the social and economic circumstances, attitudes, and health, of the inhabitants of 40,000 households each year. This paper begins by examining how mental wellbeing among the over-50s varies with increasing age. It looks at self-reported financial management among the same age group, and explores the relationship between mental wellbeing and how well people feel they are managing their household’s financial situation. Finally, the researchers use regression analysis to assess the independent predictors of mental wellbeing; and the findings suggest a strong relationship between mental wellbeing and financial management. (Edited publisher abstract)
The emotional wellbeing of older carers
- 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 second in a two part series summarising research from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London (UCL), focuses on the subjective wellbeing of older carers. The research finds that: long term caregiving was associated with declines in quality of life and life satisfaction for carers, and an increased risk of depression; and giving up caregiving was associated with increased depression amongst both male and female carers. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how the ageing population could potentially lead to large increases in the number of older carers, with the number of carers over 65 already having risen by 35 per cent since 2001. It also highlights the day-to-day realities faced by many older carers, including a high risk of emotional distress; the loss of friends, either because of a lack of time to socialise or because friends were unable to properly understand the constraints and strains of caring; and potential health risks. The report explores the policy implications of the research, highlighting that few policies and support services are aimed at older carers specifically. The report suggests that more could be done to protect the emotional wellbeing and mental health of older carers, through appropriate support being provided at all stages of the caregiving cycle. (Edited publisher abstract)