Effects of a 'social activity program that encourages interaction' on rural older people's psychosocial health: Mixed-methods research

"It Made Me Feel Like a Person Again": Benefits of Meals on Wheels-Based Social Connection Programs

Social isolation and loneliness are associated with negative health outcomes, and these outcomes are exacerbated among older adults who are homebound. To address this issue, Meals on Wheels programs increasingly provide social connection services to clients in addition to home-delivered meals. This descriptive qualitative study examines the impact of three types of social connection programs on the well-being of homebound older adult clients, as well as on the volunteers and staff members who deliver the programs. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 117 clients, volunteers, and staff in six Meals on Wheels social connection programs across the United States indicated that program participation was associated with substantial benefits. Benefits included the development of supportive friendships, reduced feelings of loneliness, and an improved overall sense of well-being. Insights from this study may inform the development, expansion, and sustainability of social connection programs provided by community-based organizations.

Development of Older Adults' Perceptions on Community-based Connectedness with People Scale: Reliability and validity evaluation

AIM

We developed a self-assessment scale-Older Adults' Perceptions of Community-based Connectedness with People-to assess older adults' comprehensive perceptions of their connectedness with others in the community. A specific aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of this scale.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 1000 men and women aged 65 years or older, living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Factorial validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, while concurrent validity was assessed using correlation analysis. Reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's α coefficient using the internal consistency method, and the stability coefficient was confirmed using the test-retest method.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 380 participants, and 358 participants who responded to all items were included in the analysis. The developed scale comprised 22 items with three factors: "Perception of Inclusion" (α = .947), "Perception of Reciprocity through Reception" (α = .937), and "Perception of Reciprocity through Provision" (α = .910). Correlation analyses indicated that concurrent scales were positively correlated with Ikigai and negatively correlated with loneliness on the total scale. The model fit was comparative fit index = 0.933, goodness-of-fit index = 0.854, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.818, and root mean square of approximation = 0.081. The stability coefficient of the total scale scores was 0.875 (95% CI: [0.830, 0.908]).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed scale had adequate reliability and validity. The perceptions of connectedness measured using this scale can be used by public health and nursing care professionals to prevent loneliness and isolation among older adults living in the community.

Older people's connectedness with people in the community in contemporary contexts: A concept analysis

AIM

This study aimed to clarify the concept of older people's connectedness with people in the community within the literature.

METHODS

This study was based on Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. We used PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases and included peer-reviewed articles that were published in English between January 2010 and April 2023. After assessing eligibility and applying exclusion criteria, 25 articles were analyzed.

RESULTS

Attributes included sense of belonging to the community achieved through interactions and feeling of togetherness through interrelationships, which consequently led to the maintenance of healthy physical and mental states and independent living, the acquisition of the ability to overcome difficulties, and the creation of a sense of meaning in life through coexistence.

CONCLUSION

We identified the concept of older people's connectedness with people in the community in a contemporary context. Connectedness is a useful concept to consider in nursing care because it seems to evolve into comprehensive health, including the physical and psychosocial health of older adults.

Relationships among Square Dance, Group Cohesion, Perceived Social Support, and Psychological Capital in 2721 Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

(1) Background: Aging is a global phenomenon, and China's aging is extensive and rapid and already at the middle to upper level worldwide. Promoting social interaction and increasing positive psychological qualities in individuals are key components in helping people adapt to the physical and mental changes of the aging process. Among them, how middle-aged and older adults improve their physical and mental health through physical activity is of great concern. (2) Methods: This study measured the physical activity of 2721 middle-aged and elderly square dance participants across China, and structural equation modeling was applied to explore the relationship between square dance exercise and group cohesion as well as the role of perceived social support and psychological capital. (3) Results: The results showed that (a) square dance exercise positively predicts group cohesion among middle-aged and older adults. (b) Perceived social support and psychological capital mediate the relationship between square dance exercise and group cohesion, and the mediating role consists of three pathways: perceived social support alone, psychological capital alone, and perceived social support-psychological capital chain mediation. (c) The mediating effect of psychological capital alone is greater than the mediating effect of perceived social support alone and the mediating effect of the perceived social support-psychological capital chain. (4) Conclusions: This study provides support for the theory and practice of square dance exercise and intervention guidance for increasing positive psychological qualities and group dynamic levels in middle-aged and older adults.