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Emerson E, Stancliffe RJ, Aitken Z, Bailie J, Bishop GM, Badland H, Llewellyn G, Kavanagh AM. Disability and loneliness in the United Kingdom: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of trends and transitions. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2537. [PMID: 38114963 PMCID: PMC10729364 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17481-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness can have a detrimental impact on health, yet little is known about the association between disability and loneliness. METHODS Secondary analysis of three waves of data collected between 2017 and 2020 by the UK's annual household panel study, Understanding Society. Direct age-standardisation was used to compare the prevalence of loneliness at each wave and the persistence of loneliness across all three waves for participants with/without disabilities aged 16-65 years. Transitional probabilities for the stability of loneliness, the stability of non-loneliness, the onset of loneliness and the offset of loneliness between consecutive waves were also estimated. RESULTS At each wave, the prevalence of loneliness was significantly higher among respondents with disabilities than respondents without disabilities; these inequalities persisted with no evidence of change over time. The prevalence of persistent loneliness was 46% for respondents with disabilities compared with 22% for respondents without disabilities. Risk factors for the likelihood of persistent loneliness included disability, financial stress, not living as a couple, living in rented accommodation, being female and not being employed. The probability of the onset and stability of loneliness between successive waves were markedly higher for people with disabilities compared with people without disabilities. CONCLUSION Adults with disabilities were more likely to experience loneliness, become lonely and remain lonely over time than their peers. Policies and interventions aimed at reducing loneliness should ensure that they are accessible and effective for people with disabilities. Further research is needed to explore the health outcomes of persistent loneliness among people with/without disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Emerson
- Centre for Disability Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.
| | - Roger J Stancliffe
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Zoe Aitken
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jodie Bailie
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
- University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Glenda M Bishop
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Hannah Badland
- Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Gwynnyth Llewellyn
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anne M Kavanagh
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
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Devassy SM, Scaria L, Yohannan SV, Pathrose SI. Protective Role of Social Networks for the Well-Being of Persons with Disabilities: Results from a State-Wide Cross-Sectional Survey in Kerala, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4213. [PMID: 36901222 PMCID: PMC10001646 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The current study presents the findings from a cross-sectional survey on social factors associated with the well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kerala, India. We conducted a community-based survey across three geographical zones, North, Central, and South of Kerala state, between April and September 2021. We randomly selected two districts from each zone using a stratified sample method, followed by one local self-government from each of these six districts. Community health professionals identified individuals with disabilities, and researchers collected information on their social networks, service accessibility, well-being, and mental health. Overall, 244 (54.2%) participants had a physical disability, while 107 (23.78%) had an intellectual disability. The mean well-being score was 12.9 (S.D = 4.9, range = 5-20). Overall, 216 (48%) had poor social networks, 247 (55%) had issues regarding service accessibility, and 147 (33%) had depressive symptoms. Among the PWDs with issues with service access, 55% had limited social networks. A regression analysis revealed that social networks (b = 2.30, p = 0.000) and service accessibility (b = -2.09, p = 0.000) were associated with well-being. Social networks are more important than financial assistance because they facilitate better access to psycho-socioeconomic resources, a prerequisite for well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saju Madavanakadu Devassy
- Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
- Rajagiri International Centre for Consortium Research in Social Care, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India
- Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lorane Scaria
- Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
- Rajagiri International Centre for Consortium Research in Social Care, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India
| | - Shilpa V. Yohannan
- Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
- Rajagiri Research Institute, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India
| | - Sunirose Ishnassery Pathrose
- Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
- Rajagiri Research Institute, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India
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