1
|
Li C, Li X, Zhang Y, Lao W. Interpersonal interactions, sense of loneliness and perceived depressive emotions among older adults: A cultural-psychological perspective from heterogeneous roles of different relationships. SSM Popul Health 2024; 27:101703. [PMID: 39220297 PMCID: PMC11364054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of the "Chinese Differential Mode of Association" in traditional Chinese culture, this paper examines the heterogeneous effects of interpersonal interactions in different relationships on older adults' depressive emotions from a cultural-psychological perspective. Results using data from Chinese General Social Survey demonstrate that: interactions with children are the most helpful in reducing perceived depression for the elderly, followed by communications with siblings and relatives. However, interactions with friends and other fellows do not significantly reduce older people's perceived depression. This reflects the "Chinese Differential Mode of Association" in interpersonal relationships. When using different perceived depression measures, and Double Debiased Machine Learning (DDML) approaches for robustness and endogeneity tests, above findings are very robust. The impact mechanism is that interactions with children and siblings reduce depressive emotions by decreasing older adults' sense of loneliness, while communications with others do not have such a significant effect. This paper further discusses the roles of different types of interactions with adult children. It is found that receiving and providing emotional support can prominently decrease depressive emotions for older people, whereas the effects of monetary support and non-material assistance are less pronounced. In addition, interpersonal interactions' impacts are more significant for those who are female, older than 75 and with poorer health, as well as older people who exercise less frequently, have higher social status, and hold more traditional beliefs. In the current context of active promotion of healthy aging, findings of this paper have important implications for a deeper understanding and scientific management of depressive emotions among the elderly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Business School, Shandong University, 180 Wenhuaxi Road, Weihai, 264209, China
- Centre for Quality of Life and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Business School, Shandong University, 180 Wenhuaxi Road, Weihai, 264209, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- HSBC Business School, Peking University, University Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wenyu Lao
- Business School, Shandong University, 180 Wenhuaxi Road, Weihai, 264209, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sapkota KP, Shrestha A, Ghimire S, Mistry SK, Yadav KK, Yadav SC, Mehta RK, Quasim R, Tamang MK, Singh DR, Yadav OP, Mehata S, Yadav UN. Neighborhood environment and quality of life of older adults in eastern Nepal: findings from a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:679. [PMID: 39138405 PMCID: PMC11323633 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Quality of life (QoL) is a subjective measure reflecting individuals' evaluations based on their personal goals and values. While global research shows the role of neighborhood factors like ethnic diversity and socio-cultural dynamics on QoL, these are unexplored in the Nepali context. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between neighborhood environment and QoL among Nepali older adults in eastern Nepal. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 847 non-institutionalized older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) from two districts in eastern Nepal. QoL was evaluated using the 13-item brief Older People's Quality of Life questionnaire, where a mean score of < 3 indicated low/poor QoL. The neighborhood environment, conceptualized across three domains (demographic, socio-cultural, and built environment), included ethnic diversity, connections with family, friends, and neighbors, cultural ties, residential stability, and rurality. Their association with QoL was examined using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Around 20% of older adults reported poor QoL. Higher ethnic diversity (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.36), moderate contact with family and relatives (aOR = 0.26, CI: 0.11-0.61), and high contact with neighbors (aOR = 0.09, CI: 0.03-0.21) were associated with lower odds of poor QoL. Conversely, high contact with friends (aOR = 2.29, CI: 1.30-4.04) and unstable residence (OR = 6.25, CI: 2.03-19.23) increased the odds of poor QoL. Additionally, among the covariates, chronic disease, tobacco use, unemployment, and lack of education were also significantly associated with poor QoL. CONCLUSION Overall, the demographic environment, socio-cultural factors, and the built environment of the neighborhood influence QoL. Therefore, diversifying the neighborhood's ethnic composition, promoting social connections such as frequent contact with family, relatives, and neighbors, and ensuring residential stability can enhance the QoL of older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Prasad Sapkota
- Department of Sociology & Gerontology and Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Aman Shrestha
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Saruna Ghimire
- Department of Sociology & Gerontology and Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Sabuj Kanti Mistry
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Rubina Quasim
- Dow Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Man Kumar Tamang
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Devendra Raj Singh
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | | | - Suresh Mehata
- Ministry of Health, Koshi Province, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Uday Narayan Yadav
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim H, Bae EJ, Choi Y, Son H. Biopsychosocial factors of quality of life among middle-aged adults living alone in South Korea: a secondary data analysis using the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:108. [PMID: 39026231 PMCID: PMC11256506 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate quality of life (QoL) in middle-aged adults living alone and identify comprehensive biological, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors related to QoL using the dynamic biopsychosocial model. As a secondary analysis, this study used data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. METHODS Among the total 228,381 respondents, 10,639 middle-aged individuals aged 40-64 years from single-person households (5,036 men and 5,603 women) were included in the analysis. QoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). The EQ-5D descriptive statistics were provided according to biological, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors. Considering the data structure of the multistage stratified cluster sampling method, a complex samples general linear model statistic was used to identify the predictors of QoL. RESULTS QoL was lower in those who had undesirable psychological status (e.g., more depressive symptoms, poor subjective health, and higher perceived stress), less engagement in social networking (less frequent contact with friends and less frequent participation in social activities such as religious activities, friendship gathering, and leisure), and lower physical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings indicate that psychological and interpersonal factors should be addressed and prioritized to improve the QoL of middle-aged adults living alone. By providing many opportunities for easily accessible social activities that meet the needs and interests of this demographic, their QoL can be improved through strengthening social support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyerang Kim
- Department of Nursing Science, Howon University, 64 Howondae 3gil, Impi, Gunsan city, Jeollabuk-do, 54508, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jung Bae
- Department of Nursing, Ansan University, 155Ansan Daehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15328, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunkyung Choi
- College of Nursing, Chonnam National University, 160 Baekseo-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesook Son
- Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Impact of Music Therapists’ Perspectives on Quality of Life in Building Relationships with Older Adults with Chronic Illness. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12110439. [DOI: 10.3390/bs12110439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Older adults with chronic illnesses have diminished qualities of life (QoL) due to physical and mental decline. To promote their QoL, music therapists create meaningful shared music experiences and positive therapeutic relationships to address their psychosocial needs. However, within this relationship-building process, healthcare professionals, staff, and even caregivers appear to project their own perceptions and expectations of what positive QoL of older adults should be. This misapprehension may challenge therapists to meet older adults’ actual QoL needs adequately. To date, no studies have explored music therapists’ perspectives on QoL in building relationships with older adults experiencing chronic illness. Eleven music therapists participated in online, semi-structured phenomenological interviews that were thematically analyzed. Three themes emerged: participants gained an increased awareness of unconscious biases, a deepened understanding of older adults’ QoL, and a purposeful alignment with older adults’ QoL. These highlighted the significance of therapists’ consistent self-reflection within the relationship-building process. Identifying their shared commonalities with older adults guided therapists to engage with clients more salutogenically and empathically. Additionally, recognizing their own biases being projected onto older adults empowered therapists to be more intentional to reconcile their perceptual discrepancies while prioritizing older adults’ authentic voices and capable selves.
Collapse
|
5
|
Litwin H, Levinsky M. The Interplay of Personality Traits and Social Network Characteristics in the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults. Res Aging 2022:1640275221113048. [PMID: 35938222 DOI: 10.1177/01640275221113048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, we regressed three well-being measures (CASP, life satisfaction and Euro-D depressive symptoms) on indicators of personality and social network. Personality was indicated by the Big-Five personality traits, while social network was measured in terms of size, contact frequency and emotional closeness. The analysis also considered personality-network interactions, controlling for confounders. The sample was comprised of 35,145 adults, aged 50 and older, from 24 European countries and Israel. The results revealed that the personality traits explained more variance in the well-being outcomes than the social network characteristics did. However, the interactions showed that the social network characteristics, particularly size and mean emotional closeness, offset the effects of dysfunctional personality attributes on subjective well-being in late life. Hence, social network characteristics were shown to modify the potentially ill effects of personality on key well-being indicators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Howard Litwin
- Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, 4321The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Levinsky
- Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, 4321The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Beridze G, Triolo F, Grande G, Fratiglioni L, Calderón-Larrañaga A. COVID-19 collateral damage-psychological burden and behavioural changes among older adults during the first outbreak in Stockholm, Sweden: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058422. [PMID: 34996805 PMCID: PMC8743841 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the indirect negative effects of COVID-19 restrictions (collateral damage) on the lives and health of older adults living in central Stockholm, and to characterise the sociodemographic profile of those with the highest susceptibility to this damage. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING District of Kungsholmen in Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS Older adults aged 68 years and above (n=1231) who participated in the ad hoc COVID-19-related phone questionnaire administered by trained staff between May and June 2020 and who had previously attended the regular follow-up assessment of the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) during 2016-2019. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Three dimensions of collateral damage: psychological burden (feelings of worry, stress and loneliness), reductions in social and physical activities, and reductions in medical and social care use since the beginning of the pandemic. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between age, sex, education and living arrangement, and the risk of collateral damage. RESULTS Vast majority of participants adhered to the national public health recommendations, with over three-quarters practising self-isolation (n=928). Half of the sample reported psychological burden, 55.3% reported reductions in social or physical activity, and 11.3% reported decreased medical or social care use. Over three quarters of participants (77.8%) were affected by at least one of the three collateral damage dimensions. Female sex was the strongest sociodemographic predictor of both individual and co-occurring dimensions of collateral damage. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 and its restrictions during the first half of 2020 had a negative effect on the health and lives of a majority of the elderly living in central Stockholm. Women were at a higher risk of these negative consequences. We emphasise the need for predefined, evidence-based interventions to support those who are most susceptible to these consequences, both during the pandemic and once the outbreak is overcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgi Beridze
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Federico Triolo
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Giulia Grande
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Laura Fratiglioni
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Park S, Kim TH, Eom TR. Impact of Social Network Size and Contact Frequency on Resilience in Community-Dwelling Healthy Older Adults Living Alone in the Republic of Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18116061. [PMID: 34199964 PMCID: PMC8200182 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of social health and its association with resilience among older adults living alone excluded from the public care service due to their relatively good health. For this cross-sectional study, we surveyed older adults aged between 65 and 80 years using questionnaires to measure the social health status and levels of resilience of the participants. We conducted a hierarchical regression analysis to confirm the association between resilience and social network. Finally, data from 266 community-dwelling older adults were analyzed. We discovered that participants had social networks with a mean score on the Lubben Social Network Scale 18.13 ± 7.98, which means they were socially isolated. The network size (standardized β = −0.149, p < 0.05) and contact frequency (standardized β = 0.136, p < 0.05) correlated positively with higher levels of resilience. A hierarchical model accounted for 48.0% of the variance in resilience. The results suggested that interventions by the public health service to protect social health are needed for older adults living alone even when they are physically, emotionally, and cognitively healthy. In addition, smaller network size and higher frequency of contacts may be considered to strengthen resilience, which is a protective factor in social health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangmi Park
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Gangwon-do, Korea;
| | - Tae-Hui Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Gangwon-do, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-741-0531
| | - Tae-Rim Eom
- Health Insurance Research Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju 26464, Gangwon-do, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Are Loneliness and Social Isolation Associated with Quality of Life in Older Adults? Insights from Northern and Southern Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228637. [PMID: 33233793 PMCID: PMC7699832 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Loneliness and social isolation have detrimental effects on health in old age; however, the prospective associations with quality of life (QoL) remain unclear. Furthermore, despite the existence of a European north-south gradient in the distribution of loneliness and social isolation, little is known whether the associations are context-specific. We investigated the relationships between loneliness, social isolation and QoL of older adults residing in the North (Sweden) and South (Spain) of Europe. Methods: Study sample consisted of 2995 Swedish and 4154 Spanish older adults who participated in waves six and seven of the Study on Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Loneliness and social isolation were measured at the baseline, and QoL was measured at the baseline and follow-up using CASP-12. Prospective associations were assessed via multivariate linear regression. Results: In Sweden, subjects with higher vs. lower loneliness had 1.01 (95% CI: −1.55, −0.40) units lower QoL, while every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.27 (95% CI: −0.42, −0.09)-unit decrease in QoL. In Spain, every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.66 (95% CI: −1.11, −0.22)-unit decrease in QoL. The association was stronger in subjects aged ≤65 years old and those with no chronic diseases. The association with loneliness was not statistically significant in Spain. Conclusion: Loneliness and social isolation are prospectively associated with decreased QoL among older adults, yet the associations are contextually bound. Future interventions should target both exposures, among others, in order to increase QoL in this group.
Collapse
|