Stress and perceived social isolation (loneliness)

Minibox: Custom solo or semi-group housing chambers for long term housing of rats with miniscopes

In this detailed procedure, we include open-source methodologies using 'solidworks' designs for creating solo or semi-group housing units for rats wearing miniscopes for long periods of time. Builds are optimized to preserve rat health and prevent hardware destruction. We include all prices and suggestions for purchasing strategies to reduce overall build-costs.•Chambers are optimized for long-term housing to protect rats wearing delicate headstages (e.g., miniscopes).•Designed to be low-cost, efficient supplement to operant chambers and provides numerous benefits to long-term miniscope imaging. The housing chambers can be augmented by installing cameras, commutators, or different types of floor grids depending on experimental conditions.•The chambers can also be secured to one another to create "rat-duplexes", allowing experimenters to control the degree of social isolation.

[Loneliness in unemployed individuals diagnosed with mental illness]

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is a widespread phenomenon, and it is associated with a variety of health problems and diseases. Unemployed individuals diagnosed with a mental illness (UMIs) are at a high risk of experiencing loneliness, with serious repercussions for their health and vocational rehabilitation. With this study we wanted to better understand the associations between sociodemographic variables, mental health, and loneliness in UMIs.

METHODS

We analyzed the data of 526 unemployed individuals that received means-tested benefits as well as at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Data were collected between September 2020 and September 2023. We conducted two robust regressions with loneliness (University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale, UCLA) as an outcome (N = 526). In the first regression, we used social network as a predictor (Lubben Social Network Scale, LSNS-6); in the second regression we included the additional predictors personal debt (yes/no), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), anxiety (Mini-Symptom-Checklist,MSCL), and somatization (MSCL) as well as age, gender, education, and living with a partner as control variables.

RESULTS

We found a significant negative association between social network and loneliness, and a significant positive association between a high level of education, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

Unemployed individuals diagnosed with a mental illness in our sample exhibited high levels of depression, anxiety, somatization, and loneliness. The associations between social network, mental health, and loneliness that we found emphasize the importance of psychological screening and/or diagnostics, and they highlight areas for prevention.

Development of loneliness and social isolation after spousal loss: A systematic review of longitudinal studies on widowhood

BACKGROUND

Spousal loss is a stressful life event that is associated with loneliness and social isolation, both of which affect mental and physical health. The primary objective of this paper was to synthesize longitudinal studies that investigated loneliness and social isolation in widowhood.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using three electronic databases. 26 longitudinal studies published through June 2024 were included for further analysis. Participant characteristics, study design, and key findings were extracted.

RESULTS

Most studies were from the United States or Europe, included more widows than widowers, and assessed loneliness in older adults aged >60 years. Loneliness peaked directly following spousal death, but findings were inconsistent regarding the lasting effects of widowhood. Heterogeneity in the longitudinal trajectories of loneliness was noted, with studies showing linear increases, decreases, or curvilinear relationships over time. Several factors modified the relationship between widowhood and loneliness, including volunteerism, military experience, income, and age. Widowers consistently reported greater loneliness and worse social isolation when compared with widows. Few studies investigated social isolation specifically, but those that did found that social isolation may decrease in widowhood.

CONCLUSIONS

As the world grapples with a social pandemic of loneliness and social isolation, widowed adults may be uniquely affected. Few studies investigated the longitudinal trajectory of loneliness and especially social isolation in widowhood, and those that did found heterogenous results. Future work is needed to understand why some widowed adults are uniquely affected by feelings of loneliness and social isolation while others are not, and whether potentially modifiable factors that moderate or mediate this relationship could be leveraged by psychosocial interventions.

The impacts of stress and loneliness on gambling and gaming problems: A nationwide longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Problems related to gambling and digital gaming have been a topic of concern for years. Less attention has been paid to the probable psychosocial factors behind these problems. While previous studies have established links between stress, loneliness, and addiction, there is a lack of longitudinal research investigating how stress and loneliness affect addictive behaviors, including problem gambling and gaming.

AIMS

This study uses multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear models to analyze the between- and within-person effects of stress and loneliness on gambling and gaming problems. The interaction between stress and loneliness was also investigated.

METHODS

A representative sample of Finns (N = 1,530) answered a survey in 6-month intervals between spring 2021 and autumn 2023; 49.22% of the sample took part at all six time points. The Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Internet Gaming Disorder Test were used to measure gambling and gaming problems. The three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess loneliness, and the Perceived Stress Scale was used to evaluate stress.

RESULTS

After controlling for gender and age, loneliness was found to increase only gaming problems at both the between- and within-person levels, but not gambling. In contrast, stress enhanced both gambling and gaming problems at the between- and within-person levels. Additionally, loneliness and stress were found to have negative interaction suggesting that their combined effect was lower than their separate effects.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide longitudinal insight into the psychosocial vulnerabilities behind problem gambling and gaming, which can be helpful in designing targeted interventions.

SIR+ models: accounting for interaction-dependent disease susceptibility in the planning of public health interventions

Avoiding physical contact is regarded as one of the safest and most advisable strategies to follow to reduce pathogen spread. The flip side of this approach is that a lack of social interactions may negatively affect other dimensions of health, like induction of immunosuppressive anxiety and depression or preventing interactions of importance with a diversity of microbes, which may be necessary to train our immune system or to maintain its normal levels of activity. These may in turn negatively affect a population's susceptibility to infection and the incidence of severe disease. We suggest that future pandemic modelling may benefit from relying on 'SIR+ models': epidemiological models extended to account for the benefits of social interactions that affect immune resilience. We develop an SIR+ model and discuss which specific interventions may be more effective in balancing the trade-off between minimizing pathogen spread and maximizing other interaction-dependent health benefits. Our SIR+ model reflects the idea that health is not just the mere absence of disease, but rather a state of physical, mental and social well-being that can also be dependent on the same social connections that allow pathogen spread, and the modelling of public health interventions for future pandemics should account for this multidimensionality.

How Do Aging Self-Stereotypes Relate to Social Isolation in Older Adults? The Intervening Roles of Sense of Coherence and Cellphone Use

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among aging self-stereotype, sense of coherence (SOC), and social isolation, as well as further explore the moderating role of cellphone use in older adults. The 817 Chinese older adults were assessed with regard to aging self-stereotypes, social isolation, SOC and cellphone use. Results from mediation analyses revealed that the negative effect of aging self-stereotype on social isolation was mediated by SOC. Moderated mediation analyses further indicated that the path from SOC to social isolation was stronger and the path from aging self-stereotype to social isolation was weaker for older adults with a higher level of cellphone use. These findings indicated that negative stereotypes were related to weaker SOC and are associated with more severe social isolation. Frequent use of cellphones can alleviate the negative effect of aging self-stereotype on social isolation and enhance the positive effect of SOC on social isolation.

Negative Social Exchanges During the Pandemic, Loneliness, and the Mediating Role of Stress and Feeling Misunderstood Among People at High-Risk for COVID-19 Related Complications

The goal of this study was to investigate the links between social interactions and mental health for people who are high-risk for COVID-19 complications. Specifically, we tested the relationships between negative social exchanges during the pandemic and loneliness through two mediators: stress and feeling misunderstood about one's health status. Data were collected via Amazon's MTurk from participants (N = 271) who self-identified as being high-risk for COVID-19. The results from our model showed both a direct association between negative social interactions and loneliness, and an indirect link between these variables through stress. Overall, these results highlight the importance of understanding social interactions for people who are at high-risk for COVID-19 and their mental well-being. The results and implications are discussed.

Associations of perceived stress with loneliness and depressive symptoms: the mediating role of sleep quality

BACKGROUND

Whether perceived stress is associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms in general adults, and to what extent sleep quality mediates the associations, remains unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the associations of perceived stress with loneliness and depressive symptoms, and the mediating role of sleep quality in these associations.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data on 734 participants (aged 18-87 years) were analyzed. Perceived stress was assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10; range 0-40). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; range 0-21). Loneliness was assessed using the three-item short form of the Revised University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scale (range 3-9). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD-10) Scale (range 0-30). General linear regression models, multivariable logistic regression models, and formal mediation analysis were performed.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age and sex, we found that with each 1-point increment in the perceived stress score, both the loneliness score (β = 0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.08) and depression score (β = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.49) increased significantly. Robust results were observed when adjusting for more confounders. Furthermore, sleep quality mediated 5.3% (95% CI: 1.3%, 10.0%; P = 0.014) and 9.7% (95% CI: 6.2%, 14.0%; P < 0.001) of the associations of perceived stress score with loneliness score and depression score, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In general Chinese adults, perceived stress was positively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms, and sleep quality partially mediated these associations. The findings reveal a potential pathway from perceived stress to mental health through sleep behaviors, and highlight the importance of implementing sleep intervention programs for promoting mental health among those who feel highly stressed.

Intervention to reduce loneliness among older adults in the community: Making friends with volunteers

AIM

This study aimed to examine the effects of providing a program that introduced volunteers to make friends with older adults to reduce loneliness and increase loneliness literacy.

METHODS

Eight community development associations in Taiwan participated in the study. In the first stage, older people living alone or with only a spouse, or those with a family, but without substantial interactions, were screened for loneliness. Older adults with a higher risk of loneliness were given priority to be invited to participate in this intervention. This 3-month intervention program was designed by each community development association and delivered at the older adults' homes. A total of 87 older persons completed both waves of the interviews.

RESULTS

Loneliness was reduced (UCLA-6 Loneliness Scale scores decreased from 13.5 to 11.6), and loneliness literacy improved (loneliness literacy scores increased from 38.9 to 42.0) compared with what it was before the program. In a generalized linear model, when controlling for covariates, loneliness was reduced, but not significantly (B = -0.934, P > 0.05), whereas loneliness literacy improved significantly for older participants (B = 2.088, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Making friends with older adults who are lonely might improve their loneliness literacy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 240-245.

Loneliness among homeless-experienced older adults with cognitive or functional impairments: qualitative findings from the HOPE HOME study

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is more common in older adults and those who face structural vulnerabilities, including homelessness. The homeless population is aging in the United States; now, 48% of single homeless adults are 50 and older. We know little about loneliness among older adults who have experienced homelessness. We aimed to describe the loneliness experience among homeless-experienced older adults with cognitive and functional impairments and the individual, social, and structural conditions that shaped these loneliness experiences.

METHODS

We purposively sampled 22 older adults from the HOPE HOME study, a longitudinal cohort study among adults aged 50 years or older experiencing homelessness in Oakland, California. We conducted in-depth interviews about participants perceived social support and social isolation. We conducted qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty participants discussed loneliness experience, who had a median age of 57 and were mostly Black (80%) and men (65%). We developed a typology of participants' loneliness experience and explored the individual, social, and structural conditions under which each loneliness experience occurred. We categorized the loneliness experience into four groups: (1) "lonely- distressed", characterized by physical impairment and severe isolation; (2) "lonely- rather be isolated", reflecting deliberate social isolation as a result of trauma, marginalization and aging-related resignation; (3) "lonely- transient", as a result of aging, acceptance and grieving; and (4) "not lonely"- characterized by stability and connection despite having experienced homelessness.

CONCLUSIONS

Loneliness is a complex and heterogenous social phenomenon, with homeless-experienced older adults with cognitive or functional impairments exhibiting diverse loneliness experiences based on their individual life circumstances and needs. While the most distressing loneliness experience occurred among those with physical impairment and mobility challenges, social and structural factors such as interpersonal and structural violence during homelessness shaped these experiences.

Psycho-social and health predictors of loneliness in older primary care patients and mediating mechanisms linking comorbidities and loneliness

BACKGROUND

Aging is associated with many personal, social, and environmental challenges that increase the risk of loneliness. Loneliness is a painful emotional experience associated with a perceived lack of connection and intimacy. Loneliness accelerates health deterioration, but the presence of chronic health conditions (comorbidities) in older individuals may potentiate the feeling of loneliness. The relationships between health status and loneliness in older individuals have not been assessed in an integrated manner, although it is necessary for planning efficient interventions. The aim of this study was to fill in this knowledge gap, by attempting to create an integrated model of loneliness in older individuals.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 189 (58% F) older individuals (> 60 years) (mean ± SD, 78.47 ± 6.65), attendees in Primary Health Care. Different factors associated with loneliness in the older population were assessed, and classified as demographic, environmental, physical (health-related), and psychological, in addition to functional abilities. A set of standard questionnaires was used to assess psychological factors and functional abilities. The hierarchical regression model assessed the effect of particular blocks of factors on status loneliness. The second aim was to analyze how psychological factors mediate associations between health status (comorbidity level) and loneliness.

RESULTS

Indicated that increasing comorbidity, anxiety, lack of positive moods, not having hobbies/activities, low perception of social support, impaired cognitive function, and suppression of emotion expression, are significant predictors of loneliness. Mediation analysis informed us of how to help patients with comorbidities feel less lonely. Interventions that were suggested were those that can reduce anxiety and depression, improve cognitive abilities and emotional regulation control, and enhance social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Results can help understand the pathophysiology loops linking poor health status (comorbidity level) of older individuals and loneliness, and have significant potentials from the translational perspectives, as a decision-support tool.

Autistic traits predict social avoidance and distress: The chain mediating role of perceived stress and interpersonal alienation

Social avoidance and distress are the primary aspects of social anxiety. Nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to exhibit social avoidance and distress. However, research has yet to reveal how autistic traits induce social avoidance and distress. To fill this gap, the present study recruited 708 participants to complete the 25-item Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, and Interpersonal Alienation Subscale. The results indicated that autistic traits significantly predicted social avoidance and distress in nonautistic people. In addition, autistic traits induced social avoidance and distress through perceived stress and interpersonal alienation, respectively. Importantly, perceived stress and interpersonal alienation (including the subdimensions of interpersonal alienation: sense of loneliness, sense of social isolation, and alienation between family members) partially mediated the relationships between autistic traits and social avoidance and distress. Overall, autistic traits predict social avoidance and distress via perceived stress and interpersonal alienation. This finding extends the hypothetical model of clinical anxiety in autism spectrum disorders. Furthermore, reducing perceived stress and interpersonal alienation in nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits may be a valid intervention method to prevent and eliminate their social avoidance and distress.

Loneliness among older adults who have experienced homelessness: qualitative findings from the HOPE HOME study

Background

Loneliness is more common in older adults and those who face structural vulnerabilities, including homelessness. The homeless population is aging. We know little about loneliness among older adults who have experienced homelessness. We aimed to describe the loneliness experience among older adults who have experienced homelessness and the individual, social, and structural conditions that shaped these loneliness experiences.

Methods

We purposively sampled 22 older adults from the HOPE HOME study, a longitudinal cohort study among adults aged 50 years or older experiencing homelessness in Oakland, California. We conducted in-depth interviews about participants' perceived social support and social isolation. We conducted qualitative content analysis.

Results

Twenty participants discussed loneliness experience, who had a median age of 57 and were mostly Black (80%) and men (65%). We developed a typology of participants' loneliness experience and explored the individual, social, and structural conditions under which each loneliness experience occurred. We categorized the loneliness experience into four groups: 1) "lonely - distressed", characterized by physical impairment and severe isolation; 2) "lonely - rather be isolated", reflecting deliberate social isolation as a result of trauma, marginalization and aging-related resignation; 3) "lonely - transient", as a result of aging, acceptance and grieving; and 4) "not lonely" - characterized by stability and connection despite having experienced homelessness.

Conclusions

Loneliness is a complex and heterogenous social phenomenon, with older adults who have experienced homelessness exhibiting diverse loneliness experiences based on their individual life circumstances and needs. While the most distressing loneliness experience occurred among those with physical impairment and mobility challenges, social and structural factors such as interpersonal and structural violence during homelessness shaped these experiences.

Senior volunteers: addressing loneliness in times of COVID-19

Volunteering in old age plays an important role in addressing feelings of loneliness, but little research has been conducted on the impact of engaging in volunteering activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the longitudinal impact of volunteering on feelings of loneliness. We analyzed data from 31,667 adults aged 50 years and older in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), across three consecutive waves (one before the pandemic and two during the COVID-19 pandemic). Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted for loneliness, using volunteering and several control variables as independent variables, and found that even after controlling for previous loneliness, volunteering has a protective effect against experiencing feelings of loneliness. Those who participated in volunteering activities before or during the second pandemic period had a lower risk of loneliness during the second pandemic period. Volunteering during the second pandemic period, before and during the second pandemic period, and during all three periods measured in the study was negatively associated with the odds of feeling lonely. Encouraging volunteering among older adults can be a useful strategy to prevent loneliness during future emergency situations like the COVID-19 outbreak.

Beyond Anxiety and Depression: Loneliness and Psychiatric Disorders in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

There is a lack of knowledge concerning loneliness and psychiatric disorders other than anxiety and depression in patients with atopic dermatitis. This cross-sectional study was conducted within the Lifelines Cohort Study, in the Netherlands, by sending an atopic dermatitis questionnaire to adult participants (n = 135,950) in 2020. Psychiatric disorders were measured with a self-reported question and validated instrument (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; M.I.N.I.), and loneliness was assessed with the validated 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. In total, 56,896 subjects (mean age 55.8 years, 39.7% males) were included. Atopic dermatitis showed positive associations with self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome, burnout, depression, social phobia, panic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorder in the participants' lifetimes. Based on the M.I.N.I., atopic dermatitis was positively associated with panic disorder and at least 1 anxiety disorder. In addition, subjects with atopic dermatitis were more likely to experience loneliness compared with those without atopic dermatitis. These associations were observed only in the moderate-to-severe, but not mild, atopic dermatitis group. This study raises awareness that a significant proportion of adults with atopic dermatitis feel lonely and are affected by several psychiatric disorders, especially those severely affected by atopic dermatitis. Further studies are required to evaluate if interdisciplinary care, such as the collaboration between dermatologists and psychiatrists, could optimize medical care for this vulnerable patient group.

Potential pathways of association from green space to smartphone addiction

Green space is increasingly known to improve physical and mental health. Based on these benefits, green space might also be expected to help mitigate related harmful behavioral patterns, such as obsessive Internet use and relevant addictions. In response, we conducted a study on smartphone addiction, a new form of Internet addiction. We carried out a cross-sectional investigation in August 2022. We recruited 1011 smartphone users across China, measured the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in their residential neighborhoods (in 1, 2, and 3 km buffers), and captured data on smartphone addiction via the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short version (SAS-SV). Potential mediators between green space and smartphone addiction, including physical activity, stress, and loneliness, were also reported by participants using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PRS-3), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21), and 8-items UCLA Loneliness Scale scales (ULS-8). Multiple linear regression was employed to examine the relationships between green space and smartphone addiction. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the potential pathways between these variables. Unexpectedly, NDVI in 1 km buffers was positively associated with smartphone addiction. By contrast, population density, an indicator of urbanization, was associated with lower levels of smartphone addiction levels in all NDVI buffer sizes. Meanwhile, we found NDVI was strongly associated with population density as well as other indicators of urbanization. Generally, our findings are unexpected and suggest that greenness may serve as an indicator of urbanization at national levels and that urbanization may buffer against smartphone addiction. During the hot summer, green space and indoor facilities may have competitive land uses, so future research should examine whether this association exists in other seasons and scenarios. We also recommend alternative models to systematically evaluate the effects of different components of residential environments.

Loneliness and trust issues reshape mental stress of expatriates during early COVID-19: a structural equation modelling approach

OBJECTIVES

To explore relationship among perceived stress regarding loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust of expatriates during the early COVID-19 period (from 30^th March to 30^th May 2020).

METHODS

Data from  21,439 expatriates were extracted from COVIDiSTRESS global survey. The outcome variable was perceived stress. The explanatory variables were age, perceived loneliness, trust (interpersonal and institutional). Pairwise correlation, and structural equation modelling were used to determine relationship among outcome and explanatory variables.

RESULTS

The majority of the expatriates were female (73.85%), married (60.20%), had college degree (47.76%), and employed (48.72%). Over 63% of the total expatriates reported that the COVID-19 pandemic changed their lives. The average age of the respondents was 40.4 years (± 13.7), and the average score of perceived stress, loneliness, interpersonal and institutional trust were 25.5, 7.4, 14.2 and 40.4, respectively. We found a moderate correlation of perceived stress with age, perceived loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust (p < 0.001). They were also found moderately related to each other. Structural equation modelling evaluated that a lack of trust can cause loneliness among expatriates, which later lead to perceived stress. Interpersonal trust was more likely to be associated with stress than institutional trust, whereas perceived loneliness mediated between both trusts and perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

Perceived stress can be reduced through trusting others and alleviating the loneliness. Making strong linkage among migrants as well as between migrants and local community is important to ensure proper mental wellbeing of expatriates.

Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between social frailty and stress, anxiety, and depression

Social frailty refers to an inability to meet basic social needs and has been identified as a threat to physical and mental health. Although social frailty has been linked with many adverse health and well-being outcomes, potential mediators of the relationship between social frailty and well-being remain poorly understood. Emotion regulation refers to the capacity to alter the experience of emotions to behave in accordance with a desired goal. The present study was designed to provide the first direct test of whether emotion regulation mediates the relationships between social frailty and important well-being outcomes (stress, anxiety, and depression). A total of 790 participants completed validated measures of social frailty, stress, anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation. In line with our preregistered hypotheses, higher social frailty predicted increased stress, anxiety, and depression, and each of these relationships were partially mediated by emotion regulation capacity. These data provide novel evidence that emotion regulation abilities may serve as a protective factor against the negative consequences of social frailty.

Global prevalence of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While the world's population ages, social isolation has continued to increase globally. However, no review exists on the prevalence of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults, and the global prevalence remains uncertain. This study aims to estimate the global prevalence of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults and to identify potential covariates including study characteristics (methodological diversity) or populations (clinical diversity) that contribute to the heterogeneity.

METHODS

This review searched through seven search engines and databases. The meta-analysis was conducted using the metafor package in the R software. The random-effects model was used to calculate the prevalence rates. Cochran's Q statistics and I² statistics were used to assess the statistical heterogeneity of prevalence estimates. Studies were appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations criteria for the quality of individual articles and the certainty of the evidence, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 41 studies were selected from databases and reference lists. The pooled prevalence rate was 25% (95% CI: 21.0-30.0). The sample size was found to be a significant covariate of the prevalence estimate in the subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We found 13 high-quality studies, but the overall quality of evidence very low. This study provides the prevalence of social isolation in community-dwelling older adults, identifying vulnerable groups for targeted intervention. Well-designed observational research with standard measures is recommended for future studies.

Does Problematic Use of Social Network Mediate the Association between Bullying Victimization and Loneliness among Lebanese Adolescents?

(1) Background: Bullying victimization has been associated with several behavioral outcomes, particularly loneliness. Similarly, an increase in social network use has been identified in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been shown to be associated with bullying and loneliness. Investigating the mediating factors of loneliness among bullied adolescents is useful for taking preventive measures in the Lebanese population. This study aims to examine the association between bullying victimization and loneliness among Lebanese adolescents while considering the indirect effect of problematic social network use. (2) Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study, between January and April 2022, that enrolled 379 adolescent Lebanese students (64.9% females, mean age 16.07 ± 1.19 years) who were current residents of Lebanon (15 to 18 years), and were from the five governorates of Lebanon (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North, South and Bekaa). The snowball method was applied to select our sample; an electronic copy of the questionnaire was created using the Google Forms software and an online strategy was designed to collect the data. (3) Results: Negative social comparison and addictive consequences of problematic use of social network mediated the association between bullying victimization and loneliness. Higher bullying victimization was significantly associated with higher negative social comparison and addictive consequences of problematic use of social network, which in turn were significantly associated with more loneliness. Finally, higher bullying victimization was directly significantly associated with more loneliness. (4) Conclusions: Studying the mediating factors of loneliness in bullied adolescents can improve our understanding of this topic, allowing us to propose new interventions to prevent psychological problems in adolescents. Future studies are needed to further clarify the physiological processes that underlie the associations between social triggers and loneliness during adolescence.

Breaking the vicious cycle: The interplay between loneliness, metabolic illness, and mental health

Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is a leading predictor of all-cause mortality and is increasingly considered a public health epidemic afflicting significant portions of the general population. Chronic loneliness is itself associated with two of the most pressing public health epidemics currently facing the globe: the rise of mental illness and metabolic health disorders. Here, we highlight the epidemiological associations between loneliness and mental and metabolic health disorders and argue that loneliness contributes to the etiology of these conditions by acting as a chronic stressor that leads to neuroendocrine dysregulation and downstream immunometabolic consequences that manifest in disease. Specifically, we describe how loneliness can lead to overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ultimately cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which is implicated in mental and metabolic disease. These conditions can, in turn, lead to further social isolation and propel a vicious cycle of chronic illness. Finally, we outline interventions and policy recommendations that can reduce loneliness at both the individual and community levels. Given its role in the etiology of the most prevalent chronic diseases of our time, focusing resources on alleviating loneliness is a vitally important and cost-effective public health strategy.

Social interaction, psychotic disorders and inflammation: A triangle of interest

Social interaction difficulties are a hallmark of psychotic disorders, which in some cases can be definitely traced back to autoimmunological causes. Interestingly, systemic and intrathecal inflammation have been shown to significantly influence social processing by increasing sensitivity to threatening social stimuli, which bears some resemblance to psychosis. In this article, we review evidence for the involvement of systemic and intrathecal inflammatory processes in psychotic disorders and how this might help to explain some of the social impairments associated with this group of disorders. Vice versa, we also discuss evidence for the immunomodulatory function of social interactions and their potential role for therapeutic interventions in psychotic disorders.

Sex-specific impacts of social isolation on loneliness, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and biomarkers: Results from the social environment and biomarker of aging study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate sex-specific associations between social isolation and psychological outcomes and biomarkers among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults using a nationally representative population-based cohort study.

METHODS

Data from 757 participants from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) were retrieved for analysis, and all participants were stratified by sex. The associations between social isolation and psychological outcomes (loneliness, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment) at the 4-year follow-up were examined by multivariate logistic regression models, and associations between social isolation and biomarkers at the 4-year follow-up were examined by multivariate generalized linear models (GLMs).

RESULTS

For men, social isolation was not associated with the development of loneliness. However, being married (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.74], p<0.001) was associated with a lower risk of loneliness, indicating potential protective effects of marriage for men. On the other hand, social isolation was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of loneliness in women (aOR 2.26 [1.01-5.09], p<0.001). Social isolation was not associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for other demographics. For men, being married (aOR 0.51 [0.26-0.99], p<0.05) or having good self-reported health (aOR 0.44 [0.21-0.92], p<0.05) was protective against depressive symptoms. For women, only good self-reported health (aOR 0.30 [0.13-0.70], p<0.01) provided protective effects against depressive symptoms. Similarly, other demographic factors (being married and having a higher educational level) but not social isolation were associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment. No significant associations were noted between social isolation and selected biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex-different associations between social isolation and loneliness were noted; the effects of demographic factors, such as being married, self-reported health status, and high education levels, on subsequent loneliness, depression, and cognitive function were also sex-different. Further intervention studies are needed to explore sex-specific approaches to deal with the interplay of social isolation, loneliness, psychological outcomes and other demographic factors.

Guardianship from being present: the moderation of mindfulness in the longitudinal relationship of loneliness to quality of life and mental health problems among the oldest old

Since the pace of population aging is getting faster than in the past, the population aging has been a serious social concern. The Quality of life (QOL) of the older adults, especially the oldest old, and their mental health problems need more public attention, for the purpose of enhancing their late well-being. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between loneliness to quality of life and mental health problems, considering the moderation effect of mindfulness among the oldest old. A total of 457 Chinese oldest-old completed questionnaires measuring mindfulness, loneliness, QOL, and mental health problems at baseline, and completed QOL and mental health problems again at six-month follow-up. Results showed that the longitudinal positive association between loneliness and mental health problems was significant (r = .401, p < .01). Nevertheless, loneliness was positively correlated with QOL (r = .242, p < .01). Additionally, mindfulness significantly moderated the association between loneliness and mental health problems. Specifically, higher mindfulness was associated with a weaker longitudinal relationship between loneliness and mental health problems. However, mindfulness did not moderate the relationship between loneliness and QOL. These findings indicated that loneliness can be a risk factor of mental health problems, and mindfulness can buffer the adverse effect of loneliness on mental health problems among the oldest old. Limitations and implications were discussed.

Emotions and Food Consumption: Emotional Eating Behavior in a European Population

Emotion can reflect in the perception of food consumption. An increase in food intake during emotional and psychological conditions may have a negative impact on human health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the associations between food consumption, emotional eating behavior, and emotional conditions such as stress, depression, loneliness, boredom eating, maintaining vigilance and alertness, and emotional food consolation. We used a Motivations for Food Choices Questionnaire (Eating Motivations, EATMOT) to determine the emotional aspects of food consumption in 9052 respondents living in 12 European countries between October 2017 and March 2018. Ordinal linear regression was used to identify the associations between the emotional eating behavior and emotional conditions such as stress, depression, loneliness, emotional consolation, and reasons to improve physical and psychological conditions. The regression models confirmed the associations between food consumption, emotional conditions, and emotional eating behavior. Associations were found between the emotional eating behavior and stress (odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.60, p = 0.010), depressive mood (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.40-1.43, p < 0.001), loneliness (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.58-1.62, p < 0.001), boredom (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.36-1.39, p < 0.001), and emotional consolation (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.54-1.57, p < 0.001). Emotional eating was associated with an effort to improve physical and psychological conditions, such as controlling body weight (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.10-1.12, p < 0.001), keeping awake and alert (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.19-1.20, p < 0.001) and consumption to feel good (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.21-1.22, p < 0.001). In conclusion, emotions might provoke emotional eating behavior. The appropriate way to handle stress, depression, or other emotional states is important in conditions of being emotionally overwhelmed. The public should be educated on how to handle different emotional states. The focus should be moved somehow from emotional eating and the consumption of unhealthy food to healthy lifestyle practices, including regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Thus, it is necessary to halt these negative health effects on human health through public health programs.

A health impact assessment of gender inequities associated with psychological distress during COVID19 in Australia's most locked down state-Victoria

BACKGROUND

Since March 2020, when the COVID19 pandemic hit Australia, Victoria has been in lockdown six times for 264 days, making it the world's longest cumulative locked-down city. This Health Impact Assessment evaluated gender disparities, especially women's mental health, represented by increased levels of psychological distress during the lockdowns.

METHODS

A desk-based, retrospective Health Impact Assessment was undertaken to explore the health impacts of the lockdown public health directive with an equity focus, on the Victorian population, through reviewing available qualitative and quantitative published studies and grey literature.

RESULTS

Findings from the assessment suggest the lockdown policies generated and perpetuated avoidable inequities harming mental health demonstrated through increased psychological distress, particularly for women, through psychosocial determinants.

CONCLUSION

Ongoing research is needed to elucidate these inequities further. Governments implementing policies to suppress and mitigate COVID19 need to consider how to reduce harmful consequences of these strategies to avoid further generating inequities towards vulnerable groups within the population and increasing inequalities in the broader society.

Social isolation is linked to classical risk factors of Alzheimer's disease-related dementias

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is a major public health burden-compounding over upcoming years due to longevity. Recently, clinical evidence hinted at the experience of social isolation in expediting dementia onset. In 502,506 UK Biobank participants and 30,097 participants from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging, we revisited traditional risk factors for developing dementia in the context of loneliness and lacking social support. Across these measures of subjective and objective social deprivation, we have identified strong links between individuals' social capital and various indicators of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias risk, which replicated across both population cohorts. The quality and quantity of daily social encounters had deep connections with key aetiopathological factors, which represent 1) personal habits and lifestyle factors, 2) physical health, 3) mental health, and 4) societal and external factors. Our population-scale assessment suggest that social lifestyle determinants are linked to most neurodegeneration risk factors, highlighting them as promising targets for preventive clinical action.

Are social support, loneliness, and social connection differentially associated with happiness across levels of introversion-extraversion?

This study examines whether extraversion moderates the association between subjective happiness and measures of social connectedness using data from Canadian residents, aged 16+, recruited online during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (21 April 2021-1 June 2021). To accomplish this aim we tested the moderating effect of extraversion scores on the association between Subjective Happiness scores and several social health measures: Perceived Social Support, Loneliness, social network size, and time with friends. Among 949 participants, results show that lower social loneliness (p < .001) and higher social support from friends (p = .001) and from family (p = .007) was more strongly correlated with subjective happiness for people with low extraversion compared to those with high extroversion. Anti-loneliness interventions should consider the need to promote social connections among individuals across the introversion-extraversion continuum.

Childhood Adversity, Emotional Well-Being, Loneliness, and Optimism: a National Study

Optimism and loneliness, which reflect the expected inverse associations with excess morbidity and mortality, are theoretically and empirically associated with early adversities and offer potential avenues for clinical support. The current study first estimates latent classes of adverse childhood experiences and, second, assesses the role of these experiences on later reports of optimism and loneliness in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, and the role of emotional regulation and common mental disorders. Surveys were conducted in a longitudinal household sample of adolescents recruited in 2013 (average age of 20 at wave 6 follow-ups). The analytic sample included 1177 female and male respondents representative of their age group in the USA at baseline. Latent classes were estimated based on 10 indicators of childhood adversity. Respondents were assigned to classes using posterior probabilities of latent class membership, and class membership was used to predict psychological outcomes in multivariable models. Three latent classes of childhood adversity were identified in the current sample, representing low childhood adversity (81.5%), higher probability of family dysfunction with lower levels of interpersonal abuse (13.4%), and high adversity including higher probabilities of parental discord and violence as well as child abuse (5.1%). Both classes of respondents who faced greater childhood adversity were more likely to report greater loneliness and lower optimism in emerging adulthood. Results were attenuated by measures of emotional well-being. Addressing adolescent loneliness and supporting optimistic outlooks in emerging adulthood are two pathways with potential benefits to reduce mental and physical morbidities.

Support Needs and Coping Strategies in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Multidisciplinary Approach to Potential Unmet Challenges beyond Pharmacological Treatment

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequently occurring chronic liver disease, affecting approximately 25–30% of the adult general population worldwide. NAFLD reflects excess hepatic accumulation of fat in the absence of increased alcohol intake, and, due to its close association with obesity, is frequently referred to as the ‘hepatic manifestation’ of metabolic syndrome. Indeed, a high percentage of individuals with NAFLD present with a combination of the cardio-metabolic comorbidities that are associated with the metabolic syndrome. In addition to its well-established link with the metabolic syndrome and increased risk for cardiovascular disease, NAFLD has also been associated with certain mental health issues (e.g., depression and stress). Although this link is now being increasingly recognized, there are still unmet needs regarding the holistic management of patients with NAFLD, which could further contribute to feelings of social isolation and loneliness. The latter conditions are also increasingly reported to pose a substantial risk to overall health and quality of life. To date, there is limited research that has explored these issues among patients with NAFLD, despite existing data which indicate that perceived loneliness and isolation may pose an additional health risk. Notably, many features associated with NAFLD have been related to these concepts, such as perceived stigma, fatigue, stress, and confusion regarding this diagnosis. As such, this review aimed to assess such potential problems faced by patients with NAFLD, and to explore the possibility of unmet support needs which could lead to perceived social isolation. Moreover, the importance of a compassionate approach towards such patients is discussed, together with potential coping strategies. Future research directions and the need for a multidisciplinary approach are also highlighted.

Social and Emotional Loneliness in Older Community Dwelling-Individuals: The Role of Socio-Demographics

BACKGROUND

Social determinants have a major influence on individuals' health, and among them, loneliness has an important impact on the health of the elderly.

OBJECTIVES

The aims were to determine loneliness and its social and emotional components in a sample of elderly people and to assess its prevalence and associations with sociodemographic variables.

METHODS

Analytical, cross-sectional, observational research was carried out based on a population over 60 years of age in Valencia (Spain). Loneliness was assessed with the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale.

RESULTS

Five-hundred and thirty community-dwelling individuals participated. The mean age of the sample was 72.7 years (84.2% women); 36.2% suffered from moderate loneliness and 6.6% suffered from extreme loneliness. The sociodemographic variables most significantly related to loneliness were being single, separated, or divorced (p < 0.01). Among widowers, loneliness was inversely associated with years of widowhood (p < 0.01). Having sons/daughters was a significant protective factor (p < 0.05), while having grandchildren or siblings did not have a significant influence. The ability to walk and smartphone and video call use were not associated with loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of unwanted loneliness in community-dwelling individuals, and some social factors play an important role. Interventions against loneliness among older people are a priority for welfare and public health.

Applying Restorative Environments in the Home Office While Sheltering-in-Place

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to spotlight specific methods for people working from home to apply restorative environment research to improve productivity and mental health during shelter-in-place.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to sheltering-in-place and telework. While necessary, these strategies may lead to negative consequences such as social isolation and worse performance. However, nature environments have been shown to have a variety of positive effects in several different settings, including improved attention, positive affect, and increased job satisfaction, and these may be translated to the home workspace setting.

METHOD

This provides a narrative review of the environmental psychology literature, describing articles involving nature in a task performance or stress context and how it has been applied. It then moves on to discuss how these findings could possibly be applied in the context of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Although beneficial results are mixed, the review found a variety of relatively simple and cost-effective methods that could assist workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including taking a break in nature and implementing nature in the workspace.

APPLICATION

The application of restorative environment research could be an efficient way of mitigating the negative psychological effects due to at-home sheltering and telework in order to combat COVID-19.

Resilience and Internet Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Model of Loneliness and Resting Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

Internet addiction (IA) has become a global concern among college students. To explore the psychophysiological mechanism that is related to IA, this study investigated the role of resilience, loneliness, and resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in IA through a moderated mediation model. A group of 108 (M_age = 18.93, SD = 0.914; 68 male) Chinese undergraduate students completed questionnaires of resilience, loneliness, and IA. Physiological data were collected during their visit to a university laboratory. Results revealed that loneliness mediated the negative association between resilience and IA, with resting RSA and resilience interactively predicted loneliness. Specifically, resilience was negatively related to loneliness only when students had low, rather than high, levels of resting RSA. These findings enrich our understanding of how resilience is related to college students' IA and highlight the protective role of resting RSA in this association.

The impact of untreated hearing loss on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness in tonal language-speaking older adults in China

BACKGROUND

Age-related hearing loss, mental health conditions, and loneliness commonly affect older adults. This study aimed to determine whether untreated hearing loss is independently associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness in tonal language-speaking older adults in China.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

293 older adults (111 males, M = 70.33 ± 4.90 years; 182 females, M = 69.02 ± 4.08 years) were recruited. All participants completed a pure tone audiometric hearing assessment, and provided information on living arrangements, marital status, leisure activities, tobacco and alcohol use, and medical history. The Mandarin version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to measure loneliness, and the Mandarin version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess a range of symptoms common to depression, stress, and anxiety of the participants. The analysis focused on determining the predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the predictors of measures of loneliness.

RESULTS

Multiple stepwise regression analyses revealed that the emotional loneliness (β = 0.303, p < 0.001) and living status (β = 0.110, p = 0.048) significantly predicted DASS depression scores; emotional loneliness (β = 0.276, p < 0.001) and a history of vascular disease (β = 0.148, p = 0.009) were significantly related to DASS anxiety scores; emotional loneliness (β = 0.341, p < 0.001) and a history of vascular disease (β = 0.129, p = 0.019) significantly predicted DASS stress scores. Furthermore, multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that DASS stress scores (β = 0.333, p < 0.001), education years (β = -0.126, p = 0.020), marriage status (β = 0.122, p = 0.024), and a history of vascular disease (β = 0.111, p = 0.044) significantly predicted emotional loneliness; four-frequency average hearing loss (β = 0.149, p = 0.010) and DASS stress scores (β = 0.123, p = 0.034) significantly predicted social loneliness scale; and four-frequency average hearing loss (β = 0.167, p = 0.003) and DASS stress scores (β = 0.279, p < 0.001) also significantly predicted overall loneliness. There were no significant associations with high-frequency hearing loss.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that loneliness has a significant relationship both with hearing loss and aspects of mental health in an older adult Mandarin-speaking population. However, mental health was not significantly associated with hearing loss in this population.

Risk factors for depression and anxiety during COVID-19 in Israel: A two-wave study before and during the pandemic

Research indicates that mental health problems increased across the globe after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a need for research examining specific risk factors for mental health problems, while accounting for symptoms before the pandemic. This study examined risk factors for depression and anxiety symptoms among Israeli adults following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, above and beyond depression and anxiety symptoms reported 3 years before the pandemic. We performed a two-wave 3-year longitudinal study (W1 July-September 2017; W2 May-June 2020). The final sample included 578 participants who completed anxiety and depression self-report questionnaires at both waves. The W2 assessment additionally included being considered high-risk for COVID-19, and measures regarding loneliness, perceived stress, and COVID-19 worries. Both anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher at W2 during the pandemic. Worries related to COVID-19, perceived stress, loneliness, and prior mental health symptoms predicted depression and anxiety in W2. Additionally, being younger was associated with W2 anxiety. The current study highlights risk factors for psychological distress in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attention of clinicians and policy makers should be given to the important role of loneliness when screening and treating people during this pandemic.

Childhood social isolation causes anxiety-like behaviors via the damage of blood-brain barrier in amygdala in female mice

Social interaction plays an essential role in species survival for socialized animals. Previous studies have shown that a lack of social interaction such as social isolation, especially in the early-life phase, increases the risk of developing mental diseases in adulthood. Chronic social stress alters blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and increases peripheral cytokines to infiltrate the brain, which is linked to the development of depressive-like behaviors in mice, suggesting that BBB function is crucial in environmental stimuli-driven mood disorders via increased neuroinflammation in the brain. However, the precise mechanisms of inflammation and BBB integrity underlying the behavioral profiles induced by social isolation remain poorly understood. Here we showed that chronic childhood social isolation from post-weaning for consecutive 8 weeks in female but not male C57BL/6J mice induces anxiety-like behaviors. The levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the plasma of socially isolated female mice were increased. Importantly, we found decreased expression of the endothelial cell tight junction protein Claudin-5, increased BBB breakdown and microglial activation in the amygdala of isolated but not group-housed female mice. Moreover, the neuronal activity in the amygdala was increased as evidenced by c-fos positive cells, and the levels of IL-1β in the amygdala, a critical brain region for regulating social processing and interaction, were also higher in female mice exposed to social isolation. Finally, down-regulation of Claudin-5 induced anxiety-like behaviors in group-housed females and overexpression of Claudin-5 with adeno-associated virus in the amygdala to restore BBB integrity decreased subsequent anxiety-like behaviors. Together, these findings suggest that chronic childhood social isolation impaired BBB permeability and caused neuroinflammation in the amygdala by recruiting peripheral cytokines into the brain and activating microglia, consequently triggering the development of anxiety-like behaviors in female mice.

COVID-19 disease and autoimmune disorders: A mutual pathway

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a real challenge for humanity with high morbidity and mortality. Despite being primarily a respiratory illness, COVID-19 can affect nearly every human body tissue, causing many diseases. After viral infection, the immune system can recognize the viral antigens presented by the immune cells. This immune response is usually controlled and terminated once the infection is aborted. Nevertheless, in some patients, the immune reaction becomes out of control with the development of autoimmune diseases. Several human tissue antigens showed a strong response with antibodies directed against many severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins, such as SARS-CoV-2 S, N, and autoimmune target proteins. The immunogenic effects of SARS-CoV-2 are due to the sizeable viral RNA molecules with interrupted transcription increasing the pool of epitopes with increased chances of molecular mimicry and interaction with the host immune system, the overlap between some viral and human peptides, the viral induced-tissue damage, and the robust and complex binding between sACE-2 and SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Consequently, COVID-19 and its vaccine may trigger the development of many autoimmune diseases in a predisposed patient. This review discusses the mutual relation between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases, their interactive effects on each other, the role of the COVID-19 vaccine in triggering autoimmune diseases, the factors affecting the severity of COVID-19 in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, and the different ways to minimize the risk of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Horizons in Human Aging Neuroscience: From Normal Neural Aging to Mental (Fr)Agility

While aging is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, age-related cognitive decline can also manifest without apparent neurodegenerative changes. In this review, we discuss molecular, cellular, and network changes that occur during normal aging in the absence of neurodegenerative disease. Emerging findings reveal that these changes include metabolic alterations, oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, calcium dyshomeostasis, and several other hallmarks of age-related neural changes that do not act on their own, but are often interconnected and together may underlie age-related alterations in brain plasticity and cognitive function. Importantly, age-related cognitive decline may not be reduced to a single neurobiological cause, but should instead be considered in terms of a densely connected system that underlies age-related cognitive alterations. We speculate that a decline in one hallmark of neural aging may trigger a decline in other, otherwise thus far stable subsystems, thereby triggering a cascade that may at some point also incur a decline of cognitive functions and mental well-being. Beyond studying the effects of these factors in isolation, considerable insight may be gained by studying the larger picture that entails a representative collection of such factors and their interactions, ranging from molecules to neural networks. Finally, we discuss some potential interventions that may help to prevent these alterations, thereby reducing cognitive decline and mental fragility, and enhancing mental well-being, and healthy aging.

Social support as a mediator in the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia: An Investigation among Malaysian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia among Malaysian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with N = 547 university students. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire measuring nomophobia, social support, and perceived stress. Exploratory analyses were conducted using partial least square structural equation modelling. We found that perceived stress was positively associated with nomophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst social support partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and nomophobia. The results of this study indicated that stress may be buffered by social support in individuals with higher levels of nomophobia.

NuMoOS – COVID-19 Nutrition and Mood Online Survey: Perception about dietary aspects, stress, anxiety, and depression in the social isolation of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

COVID-19, loneliness, social isolation and risk of dementia in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the relevant literature

OBJECTIVES

During the COVID-19 lockdown, social isolation and feelings of loneliness (SIFL) in the older population have increased, and they can be a risk of dementia, especially in vulnerable older people. The current research is a systematic review meta-analysis of the studies that approach the risk of dementia in older people with SIFL.

METHODS

The ten studies selected for meta-analysis utilised an opportunistic sample of older people in the community from age 50 to above with no dementia and enrolment. The populations consisted of cohorts of an average of 8,239 people, followed for a mean period of 6.41 years. Random effect meta-analysis summarised the Cox Proportional Hazard Ratios and Relative Risks of the individual studies.

RESULTS

Results of the meta-analysis show that in older people, the risk of developing dementia because of the impact of prolonged loneliness and social isolation is about 49 to 60% [HR/HR = 1.49; CI₉₅=1.37-1.61] higher than in those who are not lonely and socially isolated.

CONCLUSION

The biopsychosocial model of dementia supports the need for more integrated social programs and reduced risks for the older persons who, during the COVID-19 lockdown, have suffered from deprivation of support from primary carers and restricted social interactions.KeypointsDuring the COVID-19 lockdown, social isolation and feelings of loneliness in the general population have increased.Older persons are more vulnerable to social isolation and feelings of loneliness (SIFL).SIFL in older people has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.The current study's findings suggest the need to improve healthcare policies to reduce the impact of SIFL in older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Negative schizotypy attenuates the effect of momentary stress on social dysfunction related to COVID-19 social distancing

Schizotypy is associated with a broad range of motivational and social dysfunctions. However, there is reason to suspect that negative schizotypy may limit social dysfunction in specific contexts that typically increase isolation and loneliness. We analyzed whether positive, negative and disorganized facets of schizotypy would mitigate detrimental reactions to stress in the context of a global stressor (the COVID-19 pandemic) that has widely necessitated social and physical isolation. Responses to two measures of schizotypy were compared to ecological momentary assessments of social dysfunction for 85 undergraduates using multilevel modelling techniques. Negative schizotypy moderated the relation between momentary stress and loss of social support, such that negative schizotypy limited the magnitude of social dysfunction stemming from increases in momentary stress. This pattern was not seen for other facets of schizotypy. Implications for the treatment and measurement of schizotypy symptoms are discussed.

Pre-pandemic Psychobiological Features Predict Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Loneliness

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to various government-imposed limitations on social interaction and strict home confinement. Such involuntary social-distancing policies can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and alter emotional well-being. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is a potential mechanism for loneliness' deleterious health effects. In this study, we explored whether pre-pandemic diurnal cortisol output (AUC G ), a measure of HPA axis function, may predict the propensity to changes in loneliness during long-term COVID-19 home confinement and if extraversion would moderate this relationship. This association has been explored by analysing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and strict home confinement on social and emotional loneliness in 45 Spanish young adults. Diurnal cortisol levels were measured from five saliva samples obtained across a day just before the pandemic, and data about participants' perceived loneliness, empathic state, extraversion, and prospective volunteering were obtained both before and during the confinement. Participants' social and family loneliness increased during long-term strict home confinement, while prospective volunteering tendencies and extraversion decreased. Importantly, after adjusting for relevant confounders, moderation analyses revealed that in young adults with high pre-pandemic extraversion, a higher AUC G predicted a larger increase in social loneliness during confinement, while in individuals with low extraversion, AUC G was negatively related to change in loneliness. Our findings highlight the utility of pre-pandemic diurnal cortisol output in predicting the social impact of COVID-19 home confinement, presenting this hormone as a potential biomarker for a priori identification of at-risk groups during public health crises.

Construction and Validation of a Scale to Measure Loneliness and Isolation During Social Distancing and Its Effect on Mental Health

A variety of factors contribute to the degree to which a person feels lonely and socially isolated. These factors may be particularly relevant in contexts requiring social distancing, e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic or in states of immunodeficiency. We present the Loneliness and Isolation during Social Distancing (LISD) Scale. Extending existing measures, the LISD scale measures both state and trait aspects of loneliness and isolation, including indicators of social connectedness and support. In addition, it reliably predicts individual differences in anxiety and depression. Data were collected online from two independent samples in a social distancing context (the COVID-19 pandemic). Factorial validation was based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA; Sample 1, N = 244) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; Sample 2, N = 304). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess how the LISD scale predicts state anxiety and depression. The LISD scale showed satisfactory fit in both samples. Its two state factors indicate being lonely and isolated as well as connected and supported, while its three trait factors reflect general loneliness and isolation, sociability and sense of belonging, and social closeness and support. Our results imply strong predictive power of the LISD scale for state anxiety and depression, explaining 33 and 51% of variance, respectively. Anxiety and depression scores were particularly predicted by low dispositional sociability and sense of belonging and by currently being more lonely and isolated. In turn, being lonely and isolated was related to being less connected and supported (state) as well as having lower social closeness and support in general (trait). We provide a novel scale which distinguishes between acute and general dimensions of loneliness and social isolation while also predicting mental health. The LISD scale could be a valuable and economic addition to the assessment of mental health factors impacted by social distancing.

Loneliness and isolated living status in middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan: exploration on stress-related biomarkers, depressive symptoms, and disability

PURPOSE

Loneliness is a subjective feeling by which an individual perceives a lack of closeness in interpersonal relationships. An isolated living status is linked with higher odds of risky health behavior. The conflicting impacts of loneliness and isolated living status on stress-related biomarkers, depressive symptoms, and disability remain unexplained.

METHODS

Six hundred twenty-nine participants aged 66.0 (SD=7.3) separated into four groups: "Lonely and Isolated," "Not Lonely, but Isolated," "Lonely, but Not Isolated," and "Neither Lonely, nor Isolated," were retrieved from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study conducted in 2000. Follow-up health indicators in 2006 included three stress-related biomarkers, depressive symptoms, and two physical disability indicators. A hierarchical regression was performed for the analysis.

RESULTS

Firstly, compared to the "Neither Lonely nor Isolated" group, only the "Lonely, but Not Isolated" participants at baseline retained positive associations with the stress-related biomarkers levels 6 years later (urine cortisol level (B=9.25, 95% CI=3.24-15.27), serum Interleukin-6 level (B=2.76, 95% CI=0.72-4.79) and the serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level (B=0.40, 95% CI=0.17-0.62)). However, such associations were not observed in the "Lonely and Isolated" participants. Secondly, only "Lonely and Isolated" participants at baseline were positively associated with depressive symptoms 6 years later (B=1.70, 95% CI=0.11-3.30). Finally, the associations between combinations of loneliness and isolated living status and physical disability were eliminated after adjusting the covariables.

CONCLUSION

Four combinations of loneliness and isolated living status were associated with different impacts on stress-related biomarkers, depressive symptoms, and physical disability. Further dynamic investigations are warranted.

The Association between Depression and Perceived Stress among Parents of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children-The Role of Loneliness

Having an autistic child significantly impairs the functioning of the family, including the wellbeing of the parents. The aim of this study was to assess whether loneliness mediates the relationship between perceived stress and the severity of depressive symptoms in the studied sample of parents. This cross-sectional study involved 39 parents of autistic children and 45 parents of non-autistic children. They completed a set of tests: a survey on sociodemographic and clinical data and psychometric questionnaires, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (KPS). A rise in external and intrapsychic stress, independently, was linked to a rise in the severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of depression, loneliness and stress was higher among parents of autistic children compared with parents of non-autistic children. Intrapsychic stress exhibited an indirect effect through loneliness on the worsening of depressive symptoms.

A perspective on the sense of loneliness and its determinants in Iranian older people

BACKGROUND

The sense of loneliness is one of the common problems of older people and their quality of life, and is affected by many factors such as personal resources, gender, health condition, and age. This study investigates the determinants of the sense of loneliness between older men and women in Birjand.

METHODS

This study was a part of the community-based prospective cohort study of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). Individuals over 60 years of age and their families (selected by random cluster sampling) were assessed through structured interviews with questionnaires such as Patient Health Questionnaire, Short-Form-12, Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam Physical Activity Questionnaire, loneliness, and social support questions.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants in the study was 68.59 ± 6.72, and 53.2% were women. Based on the findings of pathway analysis, the most critical determinants of loneliness in older men and women were the number of children (total effect = -0.112, P = 0.006) and mood, respectively (total effect = 0.142, P < 0.001). According to results, older people with fewer children feel lonelier.

CONCLUSION

Compared with men, emotional loneliness is more common in older women. Older women, who lost their husbands, suffer from loneliness, mental health disorders, and low quality of life.

No Association Between Loneliness, Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Volume Change in Young and Healthy Older Adults: A Longitudinal European Multicenter Study

Background

Loneliness is most prevalent during adolescence and late life and has been associated with mental health disorders as well as with cognitive decline during aging. Associations between longitudinal measures of loneliness and verbal episodic memory and brain structure should thus be investigated.

Methods

We sought to determine associations between loneliness and verbal episodic memory as well as loneliness and hippocampal volume trajectories across three longitudinal cohorts within the Lifebrain Consortium, including children, adolescents (N = 69, age range 10-15 at baseline examination) and older adults (N = 1468 over 60). We also explored putative loneliness correlates of cortical thinning across the entire cortical mantle.

Results

Loneliness was associated with worsening of verbal episodic memory in one cohort of older adults. Specifically, reporting medium to high levels of loneliness over time was related to significantly increased memory loss at follow-up examinations. The significance of the loneliness-memory change association was lost when eight participants were excluded after having developed dementia in any of the subsequent follow-up assessments. No significant structural brain correlates of loneliness were found, neither hippocampal volume change nor cortical thinning.

Conclusion

In the present longitudinal European multicenter study, the association between loneliness and episodic memory was mainly driven by individuals exhibiting progressive cognitive decline, which reinforces previous findings associating loneliness with cognitive impairment and dementia.