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Change and stability in loneliness and friendship after an intervention for older women
- Authors:
- MARTINA Camille M.S., STEVENS Martin, WESTERHOF Gerben J.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(3), 2018, pp.435-454.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study examines patterns of change and stability in loneliness among 108 women who had participated in a friendship enrichment programme during the year after the programme. Seven groups of participants in which different levels of loneliness significantly declined, remained stable or increased were identified. These were reduced to the following groups: those recovered, significantly improved and not improved. The authors then examined whether resources such as age, education, partner status, health, initially available friendships and developments in friendships were related to these loneliness patterns. The data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews, a loneliness scale and the personal convoy model. The results indicate that none of the demographic characteristics, nor health, were associated with the patterns of loneliness. Friendship availability and development did differ among the groups. Recovery from loneliness after a year was associated with the presence of a friend in the outer circle of the convoy and having more variation in one's friendships initially and one year later. It was also associated with the presence of a friend in the inner circle and reporting improvement in friendship later. The absence of these qualities initially or subsequently was more characteristic of those whose loneliness was stable or increased. Thus, the maintenance of companionate friendship and the development of intimacy in one's friendships seem advantageous for recovery from loneliness. While this study illustrates that recovery from, and significant reduction of loneliness are possible, we are not yet able to predict who will benefit and who will not benefit from a friendship enrichment programme. (Publisher abstract)
Meeting the need to belong: predicting effects of a friendship enrichment program for older women
- Authors:
- STEVENS Nan L., MARTINA Camille M.S., WESTERHOF Gerben J.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 46(4), August 2006, pp.495-502.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study explores the effects of participation in a program designed to enrich friendship and reduce loneliness among women in later life in the Netherlands. Several hypotheses based on the need to belong, socioemotional selectivity theory, and the social compensation model were tested. Study 1 involved two measurement points, one at the end of the program and the other 1-year later. Study 2 used a pretest–post-test control group design with a follow-up measurement. A combination of semistructured interviews and structured questionnaires was used to collect data. A comparison group was also drawn from a nationwide representative sample. Participants were characterized by deprivation on the need to belong; that is, loss of a partner, higher levels of loneliness and negative affect, and lower positive affect compared with a nationwide representative sample of same-aged women. Participants were more likely than women in a control group to report the development of new friendships and an improvement in friendship. The combination of new and improved friendships contributed to a significant reduction in loneliness within a year. There was no evidence of satiation of the need to belong among those who did not expand or improve friendships. Loss of a partner had no influence on friendship development; however, age did. Older participants were less likely to improve friendships. The action-oriented approach that focused on friendship development in this intervention might be applied to other goals considered important in later life (optimal health, autonomy, harmonious family relations).
Promotion of self-management in friendship
- Authors:
- MARTINA Camilla M. S., STEVENS Nan L., WESTERHOF Gerben J.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(1-2), January 2012, pp.245-253.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Maintenance of friendships requires the willingness and the ability to invest time and energy in friendship. The aim of this study was to examine changes in self-management abilities among women in a friendship enrichment programme. The friendship enrichment programme consists of 12 lessons focused on different topics related to friendship such as expectations in friendship, self-esteem as a basis for friendship, making new friends, setting goals and boundaries, and solving conflicts in friendship. The hypothesis was that the participants in the programme would demonstrate increases in self-management abilities in friendship, specifically in terms of self-efficacy, taking initiative, investment behaviour, and attaining variety in friendship resources. An intervention group of 60 women who completed the programme were compared to a control group of 55 women. Interviews were conducted with the women before the programme, immediately after the programme, and then 6 months later. The results indicate that the programme is effective in stimulating 2 of the 4 self-management abilities. The participants in the intervention showed greater increases in initiative taking and more investment behaviour in friendship. However, there was no change in self-efficacy or variety in friendship.
Factors which enhance or inhibit social support: a mixed-methods analysis of social networks in older women
- Authors:
- MCLAUGHLIN Deirdre, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(1), January 2011, pp.18-33.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Research indicates that older people with a strong perception of social support have lower mortality and morbidity and better self-rated health in later life. However, few studies have thoroughly examined the factors that inhibit or enhance social support. This study used both quantitative data and qualitative texts to explore older women's social networks. It used participants from the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The qualitative data was content analysed by the themes identified from the quantitative analyses. Findings revealed that larger social networks associated with better mental health, widowhood, illness or death of a family member, and no mobility problems. Women who were not Australian-born, had sight problems, or had moved house, were more likely to have smaller social networks. In conclusion, the authors suggest that the findings highlight the importance to older women of being able to access their social networks to gain both psychological and emotional benefits.
Breaking the cycle of loneliness? Psychological effects of a friendship enrichment program for older women
- Authors:
- MARTINA C.M.S., STEVENS N.L.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(5), September 2006, pp.467-475.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The present study examines effects of participation in the friendship enrichment program, an intervention that is designed to stimulate improvement in friendship, self-esteem and subjective well-being, as well as reduction in loneliness among older women. The intervention group was compared to a control group of women who were interested in the program or in improving their friendships. All respondents had been studied at three points in time: at a baseline, prior to the program; three months later, and 9–10 months after baseline. The results indicate that the program was successful in attracting lonely older women who were willing to work on their friendships. Many participants reported improvement in the quantity and quality of their friendships. The program was moderately successful in stimulating improvement in subjective well-being and awareness of the need for an active stance toward achieving goals in social relations, especially in friendship. Loneliness among the participants was reduced, but it also declined in the control group, and both groups continued to experience loneliness. One conclusion is that an effective intervention to help older women reduce their loneliness should be multi-dimensional focusing not only on friendship but also on other personal and situational factors contributing to loneliness.
Craft groups: sites of friendship, empowerment, belonging and learning for older women
- Authors:
- MAIDMENT Jane, MACFARLANE Selma
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 19(1), 2009, pp.10-25.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
This research project explored older women’s experience of involvement in craft groups and the impact of this involvement on their sense of well being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 women who belonged to two craft groups in Victoria, Australia. The two groups differed significantly in size and structure. One had a membership of 76 and included women of all ages; the other had a static membership of 6, all aged over 70. It was found that, while the focus of the groups was on domestic craftwork, the process of coming together as a collective appeared to have significant bearing on the holistic health of the women involved. The process of belonging and contributing to the craft group was a major source of personal support for the women, where reciprocity, friendship, learning and empowerment were derived from being part of the collective. The groups provided an avenue for mutual aid, addressing isolation, affirming individual and collective strength and wisdom, while acquiring new skills, and normalising concerns regarding health and family. Both of the groups contributed vast amounts of time, energy and expertise to raise money and support local charities and people in need. The authors conclude that such naturally occurring community networks contribute a great deal to the health and well being of older women. These low cost groups make significant contributions to the social and cultural capital of the community, while nurturing the lives and achievements of older women.
Beyond fun and friendship: the Red Hat Society as a coping resource for older women
- Authors:
- HUTCHINSON Susan L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 28(7), October 2008, pp.979-999.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study analyses how participation in a women's leisure-based social group – the Red Hat Society – serves as a coping resource for older women. The Society is an international organisation of women aged 50 or more years and has the mission to ‘celebrate the silliness of life’. The Society currently has an estimated one million members in 30 countries. This paper examines the dynamics of leisure-based coping with positive emotions as the focus. Based on an analysis of responses to an open-ended question about meaningful experiences associated with being involved in the Red Hat Society, the sample of 272 members identified the main reasons for their involvement as chronic and acute stressors, challenging life transitions and daily hassles. In addition, they described four ways that participation helped them to manage these stressors: as a context for social support, emotional regulation, sustaining coping efforts, and meaning-focused coping. The results are discussed in relation to theory and previous evidence on the role of positive emotions and leisure in coping.
Social relations beyond the family? Exploring elderly South Asian women's friendships in London
- Author:
- MAND Kanwal
- Journal article citation:
- Community Work and Family, 9(3), August 2006, pp.309-323.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In exploring elderly South Asian women's networks this paper critiques the predominant focus on kinship (based on descent and or affinity) that has been the prism through which South Asian women's lives have been explored. Through research carried out at weekly meetings attended by elderly South Asian women, this paper addresses the significance of friendships for migrant South Asian women. The paper highlights how networks are formed, maintained and alter according to the stage in the life course and geographical place.
Building on personal networks when intervening with multi-problem poor families
- Author:
- SOUSA Liliana
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 19(2), July 2005, pp.163-179.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
With the aim of analyzing the strengths which exist in the personal social networks of members of multi-problem poor families, a sample of 100 members of these families was surveyed, using a structured interview. The main results of this exploratory Portuguese study suggest that: strong family ties constitute a resource to be taken into account; friends and neighbours are a resource that needs to be activated; the members of these families need to develop more reciprocal relationships within their personal network; emotional support is an open door towards the activation of other forms of support; it is necessary to give special attention to two sub-groups (women and the elderly).
Older women and driving cessation
- Authors:
- BAUER Mary J., ROTTUNDER Susan, ADLER Geri
- Journal article citation:
- Qualitative Social Work, 2(3), September 2003, pp.309-325.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The purpose of this study was to understand the lived-experience of driving cessation for older women. A qualitative, collective case study method was used. From in-depth interviews of former drivers, three categories of themes emerged: driving history, the process of stopping driving, and the experience of being a non-driver. Overall, the women had felt comfortable and skilled behind the wheel and they missed driving. Adaptation came easiest to those who planned ahead for driving cessation and made the decision voluntarily. Remaining independent and mobile were important considerations in the decision to stop driving. Many of the women regularly use formal transit services although riding with friends provides a social context. Family is not the preferred choice for transportation except in an emergency or for basic care. Social workers must acknowledge the importance women place on their independence when helping them work through issues of driving cessation.