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Ebulum GC, Eze JE, Ezeihuoma OP, Njoku C, Chukwuorji JC. Roles of Loneliness, Stress, and Religiosity in Suicide Ideation Among Nigerian Older Adults. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2024:914150241268006. [PMID: 39105289 DOI: 10.1177/00914150241268006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Suicidal behavior in older adults is a fundamental public health problem globally and the highest suicide rates occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is limited research on suicidality among older adults, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to find out whether loneliness, stress and religiosity would be associated with suicide ideation in a sample of sub-Saharan African older adults (N = 500; aged 51-70 years, Mage = 58.97, SD = 6.16; 45.6% women). They completed the Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale-version 3, Perceived Stress Scale, and Religiosity Scale. Regression results showed that whereas suicidal ideation could be increased by loneliness and stress, religious older adults were less likely to report suicidal ideation. Interventions aimed at managing and protecting the mental health of older adults during their transition to late adulthood should guard them against loneliness and buffer their resilience and coping strategies with the connectedness that religiosity offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Chimaoge Ebulum
- Department of Community Medicine, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi, Nigeria
| | - John E Eze
- Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | | | - Crystal Njoku
- Department of Medicine, American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Osbourn, Antigua & Barbuda
| | - JohnBosco Chika Chukwuorji
- Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
- Promotion of Health and Innovation Lab, International Network for Well-being, Enugu, Nigeria
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Akintunde TY, Isangha SO, Kodzo LD, Ibrahim E. Loneliness and quality of life: Perceived online and offline social support among Sub-Saharan African students in China during the COVID-19 lockdowns. ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.29333/ejgm/12542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
<b>Objective/background: </b>The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education globally, triggering fear and uncertainties for students. However, there is currently no research evidence to document the loneliness experience of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) students in China and how social support influenced their quality of life (QoL). This study explored the effect of COVID-19-induced loneliness and social support on the QoL of SSA students in China.<br />
<b>Method:</b> The study adopted an institutional-based cross-sectional survey through an online questionnaire on social media platforms to investigate the QoL of SSA students in Chinese universities. Pearson correlation matrix and regression analysis were conducted to validate the association of loneliness, social support (online and offline), and socio-demographic attributes on the student’s QoL.<br />
<b>Result: </b>In the population of 358 SSA students appraised in the study, loneliness experience was negatively associated with QoL. Online social support and offline social support were positively associated with QoL. The linear regression shows that loneliness, social support, and socio-demographic attributes explain 25.7% (psychological health), 26.6% (physical health), 24.9% (environmental health), and 30.3% (social relation) of the variance in the QoL domains. By evaluating the EUROHIS subjective QoL, loneliness independently accounts for 24.5% of the variance in the subjective QoL of the SSA students examined in the study (model 1). In comparison, the added effects of social supports and socio-demographic attributes on model 3 explained 32% of the subjective QoL.<br />
<b>Conclusion: </b>It is strongly recommended that loneliness eradication programs be implemented in these universities among SSA students who experience loneliness that negates their QoL. Interventions should focus on how these students can integrate and build social networks (online and offline) to improve social interaction and support for better QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stanley Oloji Isangha
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Liberal Art and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, HONG KONG
| | - Lalit Dzifa Kodzo
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, CHINA
- Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Twifo Praso, Central Region, GHANA
- School of International Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, CHINA
| | - Elhakim Ibrahim
- Department of Demography, College for Health, Community and Policy, The University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Grycuk E, Chen Y, Almirall‐Sanchez A, Higgins D, Galvin M, Kane J, Kinchin I, Lawlor B, Rogan C, Russell G, O'Sullivan R, Leroi I, on the behalf of the CLIC Caregiver study group. Care burden, loneliness, and social isolation in caregivers of people with physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; 37:10.1002/gps.5734. [PMID: 35574817 PMCID: PMC9324775 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) pandemic have disproportionately affected informal caregivers of people living with long term health conditions. We aimed to explore levels of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation among caregivers of people with enduring physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions worldwide, by investigating outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional anonymous online survey data from 2287 English-speaking caregivers of people with long term health conditions from four English-speaking regions (UK, Ireland, USA, New Zealand) included measures of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation, reported before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were descriptive, followed by an ordinal regression model for predictors of burden. RESULTS Compared to pre-pandemic levels, all caregivers experienced a significant increase in burden, loneliness, and isolation. Caregivers of people with both brain health and physical conditions were the most burdened and had the highest levels of loneliness and isolation compared to caregivers of people with either a brain health or physical condition only. The increase in care burden among caregivers of people with brain health challenges was associated with caregiver's gender, moderate and severe emotional loneliness, magnitude and frequency of isolation during the pandemic, and care circumstances (cohabitation with the care recipient, restrictions on the ability to provide care). CONCLUSIONS Health and social care interventions should target caregivers' care circumstances and psychological outcomes, particularly in women, accounting for the significant additional burden of care, loneliness, and isolation resulting from pandemic-related restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Grycuk
- Department of PsychiatrySchool of MedicineTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Yaohua Chen
- Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,Lille CHU Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neurosciences & CognitionUMR‐S1172Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive DisordersLilleFrance
| | | | - Dawn Higgins
- Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,Department of PsychologyMaynooth UniversityMaynoothIreland
| | - Miriam Galvin
- Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,Academic Unit of NeurologyTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Joseph Kane
- Centre for Public HealthQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Irina Kinchin
- Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,Center for Health Policy and ManagementTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,University of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Brian Lawlor
- Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Carol Rogan
- Dementia Research Network IrelandSchool of MedicineTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Gregor Russell
- Yorkshire and Humber NIHR Clinical Research NetworkNorthern IrelandUK
| | - Roger O'Sullivan
- Institute of Public HealthBelfastIreland,Ulster UniversityColeraineUK
| | - Iracema Leroi
- Department of PsychiatrySchool of MedicineTrinity College DublinDublinIreland,Global Brain Health InstituteTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
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Victor CR, Rippon I, Quinn C, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Hart N, Lamont R, Clare L. The prevalence and predictors of loneliness in caregivers of people with dementia: findings from the IDEAL programme. Aging Ment Health 2021; 25:1232-1238. [PMID: 32306759 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1753014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To establish the prevalence of loneliness among family caregivers of people with dementia and to identify potential risk factors for loneliness. METHODS Using data from the baseline wave of the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined loneliness in 1283 family caregivers of people with mild-to-moderate dementia living in Great Britain. Multinomial regression was used to examine the relative influence of a series of risk factors for caregiver loneliness. RESULTS Almost half, 43.7%, of caregivers reported moderate loneliness and 17.7% reported severe loneliness. Greater social isolation and increased caregiving stress were linked with both moderate and severe loneliness. Better quality of relationship with the person with dementia along with increased levels of well-being and life satisfaction were associated with a lower relative risk of reporting both moderate and severe loneliness. DISCUSSION This study examines the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in a large sample of family caregivers of people with dementia. Notably over two-thirds of caregivers in our sample reported feeling lonely. Interventions aimed at reducing caregiving stress and supporting meaningful relationships may go some way towards helping to reduce loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina R Victor
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Isla Rippon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Catherine Quinn
- The Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Sharon M Nelis
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK
| | - Anthony Martyr
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Ruth Lamont
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK
| | - Linda Clare
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK
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Frinking E, Jans-Beken L, Janssens M, Peeters S, Lataster J, Jacobs N, Reijnders J. Gratitude and loneliness in adults over 40 years: examining the role of psychological flexibility and engaged living. Aging Ment Health 2020; 24:2117-2124. [PMID: 31591900 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1673309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between trait gratitude and loneliness in a Dutch population sample of adults over 40 years. In addition, the mediating role of psychological flexibility and engaged living between trait gratitude and loneliness was assessed. METHOD A total sample of 163 adults of which 65 men (40%) and 98 women (60%) between 41 and 92 years (Mage = 66, SDage = 12) participated in this study. Data from the Loneliness Questionnaire, Flexibility Index Test, Engaged Living Scale and the Short Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Test were used. Mediation analysis was performed. RESULTS Analysis showed a negative association between trait gratitude and loneliness. In addition, after adjusting for the demographic variables age, gender and educational level, the association between trait gratitude and loneliness was fully mediated by psychological flexibility, and partially mediated by engaged living. CONCLUSION This study endorses the importance of trait gratitude and psychological flexibility in relation to experiencing loneliness. Further research is needed to replicate these findings in a more diverse sample and to investigate the causal relationships between these constructs. It would also be interesting to further investigate the role of different age groups and goal (dis)engagement strategies in this relation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Frinking
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Lilian Jans-Beken
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE), Oudorp, The Netherlands
| | - Mayke Janssens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Peeters
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Lataster
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nele Jacobs
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Reijnders
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Different slopes for different folks: Gender moderates the relationship between empathy and narcissism. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-9881-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Neighbourhood relationships moderate the positive association between family caregiver burden and psychological distress in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study. Public Health 2020; 185:80-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Vasileiou K, Barnett J, Barreto M, Vines J, Atkinson M, Lawson S, Wilson M. Experiences of Loneliness Associated with Being an Informal Caregiver: A Qualitative Investigation. Front Psychol 2017; 8:585. [PMID: 28469589 PMCID: PMC5395647 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Although providing care to a family member or friend may provide psychological benefits, informal (i.e., unpaid) caregivers also encounter difficulties which may negatively affect their quality of life as well as their mental and physical health. Loneliness is one important challenge that caregivers face, with this psychological state being associated with morbidity and premature mortality. Although previous research has identified loneliness as an issue associated with being an informal caregiver, there is a paucity of evidence that attempts to understand this phenomenon in depth. This study aimed to examine informal caregivers' reflections on, and accounts of, experiences of loneliness linked to their caregiving situation. As part of a cross-sectional, qualitative study, sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 spousal caregivers, 4 daughters caring for a parent, 3 mothers caring for a child (or children), and 1 woman looking after her partner. The cared-for persons were suffering from a range of mental and physical health conditions (e.g., dementia, frailty due to old age, multiple sclerosis, depression, autism). Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Experiences of loneliness were described by reference to a context of shrunken personal space and diminished social interaction caused by the restrictions imposed by the caregiving role. Loneliness was also articulated against a background of relational deprivations and losses as well as sentiments of powerlessness, helplessness, and a sense of sole responsibility. Social encounters were also seen to generate loneliness when they were characterized by some form of distancing. Though not all sources or circumstances of loneliness in caregivers are amenable to change, more opportunities for respite care services, as well as a heightened sensibility and social appreciation of caregivers' valued contributions could help caregivers manage some forms of loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Barnett
- Department of Psychology, University of BathBath, UK
| | - Manuela Barreto
- Department of Psychology, University of ExeterExeter, UK.,Lisbon University Institute (ISCTE-IUL/CIS)Lisbon, Portugal
| | - John Vines
- School of Design, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle, UK
| | - Mark Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, University of ExeterExeter, UK
| | - Shaun Lawson
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle, UK
| | - Michael Wilson
- School of the Arts, English and Drama, Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, UK
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