scholarly journals Type and frequency of social contacts associated with low mood before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in older adults: I‐CONECT project

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (S11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao‐Yi Wu ◽  
Nora Mattek ◽  
Nicole Fleming ◽  
Colton Scavone ◽  
Katherine Wild ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Low Mood

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.

scholarly journals Air Pollution and Mental Health of Older Adults in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yishu Zhou ◽  
Jingyi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Relative Income ◽  
Environmental Inequality ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Absolute Density ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Firm Evidence

In this paper, we explore the association between air pollution and the mental health and depression of older adults in China. Along with the rapid economic development, concerns about air pollution and recognition of the importance of mental health have risen remarkably in China. Although no firm evidence of an association between air pollution and overall mental health has been found, the results show significant evidence of a positive relationship between air pollution and depression. Moreover, we observe the presence of concerns about environmental inequality, as people are more sensitive to contaminations caused by pollutants with high variation in densities across counties, such as PM2.5, PM10, and SO2. Although O3 has a high average absolute density, the impact on mental health is low due to the limited variations nationwide. Physical fitness, gender, relative income, marital status, and social contacts are also found to be related to mental health and depression of older adults.

Combined Protein-Rich Diet With Resistance Exercise Intervention to Counteract Sarcopenia: A Qualitative Study on Drivers and Barriers of Compliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarthe L. Herrema ◽  
Marjan J. Westerman ◽  
Ellen J.I. van Dongen ◽  
Urszula Kudla ◽  
Martijn Veltkamp
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Thematic Content Analysis ◽  
Physical Exercises ◽  
Resistance Exercises ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
Promising Avenue

Interventions combining protein-rich diets with resistance exercises seem a promising avenue in helping to prevent sarcopenia. However, compliance to health interventions is generally low. The aim of the present study was to provide qualitative insights into the drivers and barriers that older adults experience when trying to comply with a combined dietary and physical exercise intervention. Semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults participating in such an intervention were conducted and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Most frequently reported drivers to comply with the diet were a fit with existing habits, knowledge on the health benefits, and product properties (taste, convenience, package). Drivers for physical exercises were existing habits, social contacts, customized support, and experienced physical improvement. It is suggested that customized support is important to successfully implement exercise-protein interventions amongst older adults, especially regarding participants’ habits, product preferences, and social environment.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Engagement in Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors and Dementia Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 58-58
Author(s):  
Roger Wong
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Dementia Risk

Abstract Dementia is a major public health threat as there are currently no definitive methods to prevent, treat, and cure the disorder. Recent efforts have focused on modifiable lifestyle behaviors to reduce dementia risk. Yet, the majority of these studies have utilized cross-sectional data or are limited to specific geographic areas. The purpose of this study was to explore how longitudinal engagement in modifiable lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, smoking, and social contacts) influence dementia risk. This study analyzed eight annual waves (2011-2018) of prospective data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a large nationally representative U.S. sample of older adults. Each wave, physical activity was measured as engagement in vigorous physical activities; smoking was measured as current engagement in cigarette smoking; and social contacts was measured as visiting friends/family outside of their home. The dependent variable was number of years to a new dementia diagnosis. Multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model with survey sampling weights applied for a national sample of 6,800 community-dwelling older adults dementia-free at baseline. After controlling for sociodemographics (age, sex, race, etc.) and health (physical health, chronic disease, etc.), longitudinal engagement in physical activity significantly decreased dementia risk (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.60, p<.05), however, there was no significant relationship with smoking (HR=1.12, p=.58) and social contacts (1.06, p=.83). Our findings indicate physical activity is a promising modifiable lifestyle behavior for prevention. Future research should explore physical activity interventions that are most effective in reducing dementia risk, such as strength-based or aerobic-based activities.

scholarly journals Social isolation and health outcomes among older people in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Wen Hu ◽  
Zhixin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Living Children

Abstract Background Social isolation is a serious public health issue affecting a significant number of older adults worldwide. However, associations between different dimensions of social isolation and functional health are unclear. We assessed the varied effects of social isolation on health among a nationwide sample of older adults from China. Methods We assessed social isolation among 5,419 people aged 65 and older who took part in both the 2011 and 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Social isolation includes objective social isolation (kinlessness and lack of social contacts) and subjective social isolation. Four functional health outcomes were examined: self-rated health (SRH), activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and cognitive function measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used multivariable regression analyses to examine the associations between social isolation and health outcomes. Results Older people who never married or who had recently lost a spouse were more likely to report poor SRH (OR=2.44) and difficulty with IADLs (ORs=1.46) than those who were married and lived with a spouse. Older people who never gave birth were less likely to report cognitive impairment (OR=0.53) than those who had living children, while older people who had recently lost a child were more likely to report poor SRH than those who had living children (OR=1.32). Older people who had no children visiting were more likely to report difficulty with IADLs than those who had children visiting (OR=1.25). In terms of subjective social isolation, older people who felt lonely were more likely to report poor SRH, cognitive impairment, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.19, 1.27, 1.28 and 1.21, respectively), and older people who had no one to talk to were more likely to report poor SRH, cognitive decline, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=2.08, 5.32, 2.06 and 1.98, respectively). Conclusions Kinlessness, lack of social contacts and subjective social isolation may impact various dimensions of health in older people. Due to the varied health consequences of social isolation, targeted health interventions should be developed to address relevant situations of social isolation.

scholarly journals Daily Social Life of Older Adults and Vulnerabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen-Hao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
The Social

Introduction: The social integration of older adults is crucial for understanding their risk of infection and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the social lives of older adults differ, which means they are not all vulnerable to COVID-19 in the same way. This study analyzes everyday time use and social contacts of older adults to inform discussions of their vulnerabilities during the pandemic.Methods: Using the 2019 American time use survey (N = 4,256, aged 55 and older), hurdle model regressions were used to examine the relationship between age, gender, and six indicators of the degree of social contact and time use, including (1) time alone, (2) time spent with family members, (3) time spent with non-family members, (4) time spent with people in the same household, (5) number of public spaces visited, and (6) time spent in public spaces.Results: Results showed substantial heterogeneity in everyday time use and social contacts. Time in public places gradually decreased from the oldest-old (85 years or older), old-old (75–84 years), to mid-life (55–64 years) adults. The gaps were not explained by age differences in sociodemographic characteristics and social roles. Compared with mid-life adults, time with family members of the young-old and old-old adults decreased, but time with non-family members increased. Age differences in social roles over the life course partially explained the differences.Conclusions: Should these patterns of time use and social contacts persist during COVID-19; then, such variations in the organization of social life may create different exposure contexts and vulnerabilities to social distancing measures among older adults; such information could help inform interventions to better protect this population.

scholarly journals Social Encounters and Mood: The Moderating Role of Narcissism

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 250-250
Author(s):  
Karen Fingerman ◽  
Shiyang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Social Encounters ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Abstract Social contacts may lead to more positive and less negative emotions in late life, yet we know little about how narcissism influences such associations, and whether contacts with close and not-close social partners impact mood differently. This study examined associations between social contacts, narcissism, and mood on the within- and between- person level. Older adults aged 65 + (N = 303) completed ecological momentary assessments in which they reported social contacts and mood every 3 hours for 5 to 6 days. Older adults had higher positive mood after contacting either close or not-close social partners, but only not-close social partners reduced negative mood. Multilevel models found positive associations between average social contacts number and positive mood among people scored lower on narcissism, and positive associations between social contacts and negative mood for those who scored higher on narcissism. Findings suggest the necessity of considering interpersonal differences in interventions targeting well-being.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document