Social Isolation and Loneliness: Differences between Older Rural and Urban Manitobans

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Havens ◽  
Madelyn Hall ◽  
Gina Sylvestre ◽  
Tyler Jivan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
Urban Adults ◽  
Age Range

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper was to identify predictors of social isolation and loneliness for very old rural and urban adults. With data from the 1996 Aging in Manitoba Study (N = 1,868; age range 72–104), separate multiple regression models were constructed for rural and urban sub-samples, using the life space index (LSI) to measure social isolation as one outcome, and a loneliness index created by the authors from a combination of items to measure loneliness as a second outcome. Different factors were found to predict the outcomes for the two sub-samples. The models with isolation as the outcome produced five predictors for the rural sub-sample and three for the urban sub-sample. Only living alone was the same for both groups. The models with loneliness as the outcome produced five predictors for the rural sub-sample and two for the urban sub-sample, again with only one factor in common – four or more chronic illnesses. We conclude that health and social factors are important predictors of social isolation and loneliness, and sensitivity to these factors may improve the experience of older adults.

Mortality Following Trajectories of Mobility Limitations: The Modifying Impact of Social Factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 134-142
Author(s):  
Terese Sara Høj Jørgensen ◽  
Volkert Siersma ◽  
Rikke Lund ◽  
Charlotte Juul Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Hazard Regression ◽  
Trajectory Modeling ◽  
High Level ◽  
Method Group

Objective: How are trajectories of mobility limitations (MLs) among older adults associated with mortality? Do social factors modify these associations? Method: Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify four trajectories of MLs over a period of 4.5 years among 3,055 older Danes. Mortality analyses were conducted using additive hazard regression models. Results: Compared to older adults without MLs, older adults with high level of MLs who experienced further increase in MLs were associated with the most additional deaths followed by older adults with no MLs at baseline who later experienced limitations and older adults with a medium ML level at baseline who later experienced further increase in limitations. Men and 80-year olds experienced more additional deaths following adverse ML trajectories than women and 75-year olds. Discussion: Trajectories that led to higher ML levels were associated with most additional deaths especially among men and in the oldest age group.

scholarly journals SOCIAL ISOLATION AND OLDER ADULTS: UNDERSTANDING THEIR EXPERIENCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S368-S369
Author(s):  
Bonnie Jeffery ◽  
Tom McIntosh ◽  
Nuelle Novik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract This presentation will focus on a unique undertaking where three provincial organizations in Saskatchewan, Canada implemented nine projects to address social isolation for rural and urban older adults across a geography that encompasses one-half of the province. A survey of older adults was conducted to assess their level of social isolation in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the experiences of social isolation among community dwelling older adults. Key variables of interest included: older adult access to services and supports, participation in activities, feelings of being valued by others, barriers to supports and services, and the overall isolation experienced by older adults. The responses from 1,719 urban and rural older adults indicate that 24.1% of respondents felt that they lack support, 17.2% feel less connected to family and friends, and 16.8% of respondents do not feel valued by their friends and family. Overall, almost one-quarter (23.9%) of the survey respondents score ‘high’ or ‘medium’ on a Social Isolation Index. One-third of respondents report they experience barriers to participation in activities outside the home. Several key categories of barriers were identified: health, personal, environmental, social, transportation and systemic. Respondents identified accommodation, services, practices, and activities as areas where their community could assist in participation of community activities outside of the home. Social isolation can have serious health consequences for older adults. The results of this survey highlight several key areas that older adults identify as important for reducing their feelings of isolation and enhancing their overall health and well-being.

scholarly journals Risk factors for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study in middle-aged and older adults

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Rutland-Lawes ◽  
Anna-Stiina Wallinheimo ◽  
Simon L. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Increased Risk

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant social restrictions have had widespread psychological ramifications, including a rise in depression prevalence. However, longitudinal studies on sociodemographic risk factors are lacking. Aims To quantify longitudinal changes in depression symptoms during the pandemic compared with a pre-pandemic baseline, in middle-aged and older adults, and identify the risk factors contributing to this. Method A total of 5331 participants aged ≥50 years were drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Self-reported depression symptoms in June/July 2020 were compared with baseline data from 2–3 years prior. Regression models investigated sociodemographic and lifestyle variables that could explain variance in change in depression. Results Within-participant depression scores increased significantly from pre-pandemic levels: 14% met the criteria for clinical depression at baseline, compared with 26% during the pandemic. Younger age, female gender, higher depression scores at baseline, living alone and having a long-standing illness were significant risk factors. Gender-stratified regression models indicated that older age was protective for women only, whereas urban living increased risk among women only. Being an alcohol consumer was a protective factor among men only. Conclusions Depression in UK adults aged ≥50 years increased significantly during the pandemic. Being female, living alone and having a long-standing illness were prominent risk factors. Younger women living in urban areas were at particularly high risk, suggesting such individuals should be prioritised for support. Findings are also informative for future risk stratification and intervention strategies, particularly if social restrictions are reimposed as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold.

scholarly journals Caries experience and use of dental services in rural and urban adults and older adults from central Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 260-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Quinteros ◽  
Dante D. Cáceres ◽  
Alex Soto ◽  
Rodrigo J. Mariño ◽  
Rodrigo A. Giacaman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Caries Experience ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Urban Adults

Social Deprivation and Rates of Treated Mental Disorder

1991 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Thornicroft
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽  
Psychiatric Admission ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
High Degree

A review of the literature shows that there are strong associations of treated prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder with social class, sex, marital status, ethnic group and living alone; and moderate associations with living in inner-city areas and a high degree of residential mobility. The Jarman-8 index of social deprivation correlates with psychiatric admission rates for patients aged less than 65 years (R2–0.38). Individual census variables can themselves account for up to 0.71 of the variance in the admission rates, while combined in a stepwise multiple regression the census variables will account for over 0.95 of this variation. Multiple regression models using individual census variables and derived indices should be applied next on a wider geographical basis, and to narrower age, sex and diagnosis-specific psychiatric morbidity rates.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With Social Isolation Among Older Adults: The Singapore Chinese Health Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 168-168
Author(s):  
Jon Barrenetxea ◽  
Yang Yi ◽  
Woon Puay Koh ◽  
Feng Qiushi
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Singapore Chinese

Abstract Social isolation is a determinant of mortality and well-being among older people. Factors associated with isolation could be different in societies where older adults live mainly with family, as individuals might feel isolated despite living with others. We studied the factors associated with isolation among 16,948 older adults from follow-up 3 of the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based cohort of older Singapore Chinese (mean age of 73, range: 61-96 years). We defined social isolation as having “zero hour per week” of participation in social activities involving 3 or more people and scoring the lowest decile on the Duke Social Support Scale of perceived social support. We used multivariable logistic regressions to compute odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with likelihood of social isolation. Although only 14.4% of isolated participants lived alone, living alone remained a significant factor associated with isolation (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.58-2.35), together with cognitive impairment (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.46-2.04) and depression (OR 2.44, 95% CI 2.12-2.80). Higher education level was inversely associated with isolation (p for trend<0.001). In stratified analysis, among those living alone, compared to women, men had higher odds of social isolation (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.43-3.32) than among those not living alone (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.84-1.17) (p for interaction<0.001). Our results showed that living alone, cognitive impairment and depression were indicators of isolation among older Singaporeans. In addition, among those living alone, men were more likely to experience social isolation than women.

scholarly journals Lonely in the City–Sociodemographic Status and Somatic Morbidities as Predictors of Loneliness and Depression among Seniors–Preliminary Results

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7213
Author(s):  
Kasper Sipowicz ◽  
Marlena Podlecka ◽  
Łukasz Mokros ◽  
Tadeusz Pietras
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Sociodemographic Data ◽  
The City

Up to a third of the population of older adults has been estimated to suffer from feelings of loneliness, which is considered a risk factor of depression. The aim of this paper is to compare the perceived level of loneliness and depression in seniors living in the country and in the cities and assess somatic morbidity and sociodemographic status as predictors of loneliness and depressiveness. n = 92 older adults in primary care units filled out a set of questionnaires: authors’ survey on sociodemographic data and morbidities, Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI, to measure depressiveness) and De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS, to assess loneliness). There was a strong, positive and statistically significant correlation between the BDI and DJGLS scores (R = 0.855, p < 0.001). City residents had on average higher BDI and DJGLS scores. Linear regression models were constructed to predict BDI and DJGLS scores. The set of statistically significant predictors were similar for BDI and DJGLS. Sociodemographic status and somatic morbidities accounted for around 90% of variance of depressiveness and loneliness scores in the studied group. Living alone was found to be the strongest relative predictor of both loneliness and depressiveness in the studied sample of the older adults. Our current results suggest that there might be a need to improve social support in the late adulthood as an intervention to diminish the sense of loneliness and depressiveness.

scholarly journals Loneliness as a mediator of the impact of social isolation on cognitive functioning of Chinese older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumei Yang ◽  
Haocen Wang ◽  
Linda S Edelman ◽  
Eunjin L Tracy ◽  
George Demiris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objective older adults have increased risk of social isolation, loneliness and cognitive functioning impairment, but the relationships among these factors are not conclusive. We investigated the potential mediation mechanism of loneliness on the association between social isolation and cognitive functioning among Chinese older adults within their cultural context. Design secondary analysis of the baseline wave (2011–12) of the harmonised China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Setting and Subjects community-dwelling older adults in China (N = 7,410 participants aged 60–101 years). Methods we applied a multiple indicator multiple cause approach to determine whether the construct of social isolation is well defined by four indicators (social activity engagement, weekly adult children contact, caregiving for grandchildren and living alone) and used structural equation modelling to examine the direct and indirect effects among variables of interest. Results the results demonstrated that social activity engagement, weekly adult children contact and caregiving for grandchildren were significantly related to social isolation (β = −0.26 to −0.28) (Living alone was fixed to 1 for model identification.) The indirect effect of social isolation on cognitive functioning through loneliness was significant (β = −0.15), indicating loneliness was an important mediator. However, the direct effect of social isolation on cognitive functioning also remained significant (β = −0.83), suggesting a partial mediation effect. Conclusions our study highlights the mediation role of loneliness in the relationship between social isolation and cognitive functioning among Chinese older adults. The findings support the beneficial effects of maintaining social relations and coping with feelings of loneliness on older adults’ cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals 40-Year Projections of Disability and Social Isolation of Older Adults for Long-Range Policy Planning in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 4950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben Ng ◽  
Si Qi Lim ◽  
Su Ying Saw ◽  
Kelvin Bryan Tan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Population Projections ◽  
Policy Planning ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Socially Isolated

Against a rapidly aging population, projections are done to size up the demand for long-term care (LTC) services for long-range policy planning. These projections are typically focused on functional factors such as disability. Recent studies indicate the importance of social factors, for example, socially isolated seniors living alone are more likely to be institutionalized, resulting in higher demand for LTC services. This is one the first known studies to complete a 40-year projection of LTC demand based on disability and social isolation. The primary micro dataset was the Retirement and Health Survey, Singapore’s first nationally representative longitudinal study of noninstitutionalized older adults aged 45 to 85 with over 15,000 respondents. Disability prevalence across the mild to severe spectrum is projected to increase five-fold over the next 40 years, and the number of socially isolated elders living alone is projected to grow four-fold. Regression models of living arrangements revealed interesting ethnic differences: Malay elders are 2.6 times less likely to live alone than their Chinese counterparts, controlling for marital status, age, and housing type. These projections provide a glimpse of the growing demand for LTC services for a rapidly aging Singapore and underscore the need to shore up community-based resources to enable seniors to age-in-place.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document