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Ernst M, Brähler E, Beutel ME, Kruse J, Andreas S. Socially isolated, but not lonely in lockdown: Exploring the role of reflective functioning as a protective factor in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. J Affect Disord 2024; 362:201-208. [PMID: 38950870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Loneliness is a pressing public mental health issue. So far, there has been a paucity of investigations focused on the individual differences modulating this subjective feeling in the face of difficult circumstances, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the present study aimed to investigate the role of mentalization; given that the construct comprises reflection abilities that might be particularly relevant to the pandemic's interpersonal challenges. METHODS A survey representative of the German population was conducted from May to June 2020 (N = 2503). We examined mentalization, operationalized as reflective functioning (RF) and measured using the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ), both as a protective factor against loneliness on its own and as a moderator of the association of social isolation with loneliness. RESULTS Of the overall sample, 822 (32.8 %) individuals reported social isolation. Worse RF was moderately associated with higher levels of loneliness (r = 0.433, p < .001). A linear regression model (controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and general personality pathology) confirmed this positive association, but also indicated an interaction effect of RF and social isolation in the statistical prediction of loneliness. Stratified models showed that RF was a comparatively weaker statistical predictor of loneliness among the socially isolated. DISCUSSION This representative population study expanded our knowledge about the factors shaping loneliness in the population. RF emerged as a potentially modifiable protective influence. Further research needs to clarify the mechanisms through which it mitigates loneliness. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design does not give insight into the temporal association of RF and loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ernst
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | - Elmar Brähler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manfred E Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Johannes Kruse
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Sylke Andreas
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
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Di Maio S, Villinger K, Knoll N, Scholz U, Stadler G, Gawrilow C, Berli C. Compendium of dyadic intervention techniques (DITs) to change health behaviours: a systematic review. Health Psychol Rev 2024; 18:538-573. [PMID: 38437798 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2024.2307534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyadic interventions for health behaviour change involving the romantic partner are promising. However, it often remains unclear how exactly the partner is involved in dyadic interventions. We propose a novel compendium of dyadic intervention techniques (DITs) that facilitates systematic description of dyadic interventions in terms of who performs what for whom during intervention delivery and subsequent implementation. OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically characterise dyadic interventions along their degree of partner involvement and to provide a comprehensive list of DITs used in dyadic interventions with romantic partners. METHODS We systematically reviewed dyadic health behaviour change interventions with controlled designs. We included 165 studies describing 122 distinct dyadic interventions with romantic partners. Interventions were classified along their degree of partner involvement, 160 DITs were extracted, and their frequencies of use counted. RESULTS The majority of interventions (n = 90, 74%) explicitly instructed partners to interact. Half of the DITs were performed jointly by the couple and also targeted the couple. Mostly, couples were instructed to jointly practice communication skills and to jointly perform problem solving for the couple. DISCUSSION The present review contributes to the development of a shared and systematic way of describing dyadic interventions to facilitate cumulation of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Di Maio
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nina Knoll
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urte Scholz
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gertraud Stadler
- Institute of Gender in Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caterina Gawrilow
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Corina Berli
- Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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3
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O'Connor J, Hoxmeier J, Woerner J, Cares A. Social Connections as a Protective Factor for Sexual Violence-Related Attitudes. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012241270187. [PMID: 39149956 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241270187] [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: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Endorsing problematic sexual violence-related attitudes including rape myth acceptance (RMA), hostile sexism, and disapproval of sexual consent is associated with negative outcomes, including the perpetration of sexual violence. This study examined social connections as a protective factor for sexual violence-related attitudes among a sample of 770 participants. Results indicate that in the full sample, connections to a workplace were protective for RMA and hostile sexism while family connections were protective for disapproval of sexual consent, RMA, and hostile sexism. Patterns of other social connections differed in separate models for men and women. Unexpected findings indicating that connections to a religious social group are a risk, not a protective, factor are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia O'Connor
- School of Social Work, Violence Against Women Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Jill Hoxmeier
- College of Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jackie Woerner
- Departments of Sociology and Psychology, Violence Against Women Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alison Cares
- Department of Sociology, Violence Against Women Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Willis MC, Jeffries J, Barrett AR, Swearer SM. The impact of positive and adverse childhood experiences on social connectedness in young adults. J Exp Child Psychol 2024; 247:106033. [PMID: 39137506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2024.106033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Establishing and maintaining social relationships is a critical developmental milestone for adolescents and young adults and can be disrupted by childhood adversities. Adverse and positive childhood experiences (ACEs and PCEs, respectively) represent independent, yet critical, domains that support the exploration of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACEs) as pathways to social connection. Recent research has examined the impact of COVID-19 on child development. The current study expands on existing research by examining the effects that PACEs clusters and high school enrollment during COVID-19 had on social connectedness. Young adults (N = 211; Mage = 20.97 years, SD = 2.14) completed an online survey examining social functioning and childhood experiences. Two measures comprised PACEs: Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) scale and Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire. An adapted Berkman-Syme Social Network Index measured social connection. High school enrollment during COVID-19 was determined by graduation year. Cluster analyses identified three PACEs profiles: (1) high BCEs/low ACEs (74.9%), (2) moderate BCEs/high ACEs (14.7%), and (3) low BCEs/moderate ACEs (10.4%). Regression analyses showed that High Risk/High Protection (β = -3.326, p = .001) and Moderate Risk/Moderate Protection (β = -4.845, p < .001) profiles had significantly fewer social connections than the Low Risk/High Protection profile. High school enrollment at the COVID-19 onset did not predict social connection (β = 0.067, p = .305). Implications include clinicians considering PACEs when forming a holistic view of clients and integrating positive contexts into adversity research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie C Willis
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
| | - Jay Jeffries
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Amanda R Barrett
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Susan M Swearer
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
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5
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Esch T, Stefano GB, Michaelsen MM. The foundations of mind-body medicine: Love, good relationships, and happiness modulate stress and promote health. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3387. [PMID: 38442034 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Although stress is an everyday fact of life, it can lead to poor health outcomes, particularly when intense or prolonged. However, humans have unique cognitive abilities and thus may be able to combat stress by engaging critical psychological defence mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the field of mind-body medicine, which focuses on improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this response and developing interventions that might be used to limit the effects of chronic stress. We review the findings of past and current research in this field that has focused on the impact of psychological, emotional, and behavioural factors, including love, social connectedness, and happiness on human health and the amelioration of pain as well as other signs and symptoms of disease. While these studies have not yet led to confirmed, quantifiable conclusions, the overall weight of evidence suggests that happiness (defined as a personal sense of well-being) may be directly associated with improved health parameters and reductions in debilitating symptoms. Collectively, these findings suggest that interventions designed to promote stress mitigation, notably those that encourage social activity, may lead to significant improvements in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Esch
- Institute for Integrative Health Care and Health Promotion, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - George B Stefano
- Institute for Integrative Health Care and Health Promotion, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry of the First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maren M Michaelsen
- Institute for Integrative Health Care and Health Promotion, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
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Pennington N, Hall JA, Holmstrom AJ. The American Friendship Project: A report on the status and health of friendship in America. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305834. [PMID: 39078808 PMCID: PMC11288408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Friendship is critical for individuals' well-being, but recent efforts to characterize Americans' friendship have suggested that these relationships are in peril. The present study is a report on the methods and results of three surveys from the American Friendship Project (AFP). The goal of the AFP is to be the most accurate and most complete account of American friendship as well as its health and change over time. The AFP reports on five critical facets of social health as it relates to friendship: 1) the structural factors of friendship (e.g., who are they, how many); 2) friendship quality (e.g., satisfaction, closeness); 3) social support from friends; 4) the quantity of online and offline communication; and 5) well-being (e.g., life satisfaction, loneliness, connection). Data was collected from two national samples of American adults in 2022 and 2023 and from a large sample of college students across three universities in 2022. The key finding from this investigation is, compared to the discouraging results of other recent surveys, Americans reported having more friends and fewer were friendless. AFP results also suggest that face-to-face (FtF) meetings among friends are quite common, as are telephone calls and text messaging. College student and adult samples reported very similar attitudes and experiences with friendship overall, but students were more likely to meet friends at school and to keep them for a shorter length of time. Another key finding is Americans long for greater closeness with friends; though over 75% were satisfied with the number of friends they had, over 40% felt they were not as close to their friends as they would like. Overall, the AFP is a rich source of data that can be used to answer a multitude of questions about friendship and its connection to well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Pennington
- Department of Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Hall
- Department of Communication Studies, College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America
| | - Amanda J. Holmstrom
- Department of Communication, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
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7
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Dworschak C, Mäder T, Rühlmann C, Maercker A, Kleim B. Examining bi-directional links between loneliness, social connectedness and sleep from a trait and state perspective. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17300. [PMID: 39068239 PMCID: PMC11283477 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68045-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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Greater loneliness as well as a lack of social connectedness have often been associated with poorer sleep. However, the temporal dynamics and direction of these associations remain unclear. Aim of the current study was to examine bi-directional associations between loneliness/social connectedness and sleep in 48 stress-exposed medical students during their first medical internship, considered a period of heightened stress. We obtained trait-level questionnaire data on loneliness and global sleep completed before and during the internship as well as state-level diary- and wearable-based data on daily changes in social connectedness and sleep collected twice over the period of seven consecutive days, once before and once during the internship. Bi-directional associations among greater loneliness and higher daytime dysfunction on trait-level were identified. In addition, several uni-directional associations between loneliness/social connectedness and sleep were found on trait- and state-level. In sum, findings of this study point at a bi-directional relation among loneliness/social connectedness and sleep, in which variables seem to reciprocally influence each other across longer-term periods as well as on a day-to-day basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Dworschak
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/17, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Mäder
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotta Rühlmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/17, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/17, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 32, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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8
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Allan AC, Gamaldo AA, Wright RS, Aiken-Morgan AT, Lee AK, Allaire JC, Thorpe RJ, Whitfield KE. Social support moderates association between area deprivation index and changes in physical health among adults in the Baltimore Study of Black Aging (BSBA). ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2024:1-19. [PMID: 39003724 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2024.2376035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite the association of neighborhood quality with poorer adult health, limited research has explored the association between neighborhood disadvantage, e.g. Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and older Black adults' health, prospectively. This observational study examined the association between ADI and changes in longitudinal physical health within older Black adults. The analytic sample (n = 317) included data from waves 1 & 2 of the Baltimore Study of Black Aging: Patterns of Cognitive Aging (BSBA-PCA). Study variables included the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), objective (e.g. average heart rate) and subjective (e.g. activities of daily living) measures of physical health. Multiple linear regression models were conducted controlling for sociodemographic and social support characteristics. Participants living in more disadvantaged neighborhoods, based on national and state ADIs, were more likely to have a decreasing heart rate even after adjusting for covariates. Likewise, participants reporting increasing levels of ADL difficulty were living in a neighborhood with greater disadvantage based on national and state ADI rankings. Significant social support received and ADI (national and state) interactions were observed for average heart rate. The findings suggest that research on the effect of neighborhood quality and social support can enhance our understanding of its impact on older Black adults' health prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa C Allan
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anna K Lee
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Jason C Allaire
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Roland J Thorpe
- Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keith E Whitfield
- President, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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9
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Bourassa KJ, Sbarra DA. Trauma, adversity, and biological aging: behavioral mechanisms relevant to treatment and theory. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:285. [PMID: 38997260 PMCID: PMC11245531 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although stress and adversity are largely universal experiences, people exposed to greater hardship are at increased risk for negative health consequences. Recent studies identify accelerated biological aging as a mechanism that could explain how trauma and adversity gives rise to poor health, and advances in this area of study coincide with technological innovations in the measurement of biological aging, particularly epigenetic profiles consistent with accelerated aging derived from DNA methylation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current literature examining how adversity might accelerate biological aging, with a specific focus on social and health behaviors. The most extensive evidence in this area suggests that health-compromising behaviors, particularly smoking, may partially explain the association between adversity and accelerated aging. Although there is relatively less published support for the role of social behaviors, emerging evidence points to the importance of social connection as a mechanism for future study. Our review highlights the need to determine the extent to which the associations from adversity to accelerated aging are consistent with causal processes. As we consider these questions, the review emphasizes methodological approaches from the causal inference literature that can help deepen our understanding of how stress and trauma might result in poor health. The use of these methodologies will help provide evidence as to which behavioral interventions might slow aging and improve health, particularly among populations that more often experience adversity and trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Bourassa
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - David A Sbarra
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Iorfino F, Varidel M, Capon W, Richards M, Crouse JJ, LaMonica HM, Park SH, Piper S, Song YJC, Gorban C, Scott EM, Hickie IB. Quantifying the interrelationships between physical, social, and cognitive-emotional components of mental fitness using digital technology. NPJ MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 3:36. [PMID: 38977903 PMCID: PMC11231280 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-024-00078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mental fitness is a construct that goes beyond a simple focus on subjective emotional wellbeing to encompass more broadly our ability to think, feel, and act to achieve what we want in our daily lives. The measurement and monitoring of multiple (often interacting) domains is crucial to gain a holistic and complete insight into an individual's mental fitness. We aimed to demonstrate the capability of a new mobile app to characterise the mental fitness of a general population of Australians and to quantify the interrelationships among different domains of mental fitness. Cross-sectional data were collected from 4901 adults from the general population of Australians engaged in work or education who used a mobile app (Innowell) between September 2021 and November 2022. Individuals completed a baseline questionnaire comprised of 26 questions across seven domains of mental fitness (i.e., physical activity, sleep and circadian rhythms, nutrition, substance use, daily activities, social connection, psychological distress). Network analysis was applied at both a domain-level (e.g., 7 nodes representing each cluster of items) and an individual item-level (i.e., 26 nodes representing all questionnaire items). Only 612 people (12%) were functioning well across all domains. One quarter (n = 1204, 25%) had only one problem domain and most (n = 3085, 63%) had multiple problem domains. The two most problematic domains were physical activity (n = 2631, 54%) and social connection (n = 2151, 44%), followed closely by daily activity (n = 1914, 39%). At the domain-level, the strongest association emerged between psychological distress and daily activity (r = 0.301). Psychological distress was the most central node in the network (as measured by strength and expected influence), followed closely by daily activity, sleep and circadian rhythms and then social connection. The item-level network revealed that the nodes with the highest centrality in the network were: hopelessness, depression, functional impairment, effortfulness, subjective energy, worthlessness, and social connectedness. Social connection, sleep and circadian rhythms, and daily activities may be critical targets for intervention due to their widespread associations in the overall network. While psychological distress was not among the most common problems, its centrality may indicate its importance for indicated prevention and early intervention. We showcase the capability of a new mobile app to monitor mental fitness and identify the interrelationships among multiple domains, which may help people develop more personalised insights and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Iorfino
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mathew Varidel
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - William Capon
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Richards
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jacob J Crouse
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Haley M LaMonica
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shin Ho Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Piper
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Carla Gorban
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Ian B Hickie
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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11
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Ure SL, Gill C, Evans T, Windsor TD, Scott JET, Walker R, Luszcz MA, Mazzucchelli TG. Engage! a pilot study of a brief behavioural activation program to promote engagement and well-being in older adults. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305908. [PMID: 38917213 PMCID: PMC11198748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous research has indicated the suitability of behavioural activation (BA) as an intervention for reducing depression in older adults. However, little research has investigated the potential of BA to increase active engagement and well-being in older adults. The current pilot study sought to investigate the usefulness and acceptability of BA to promote well-being in a group of non-clinical older adults. Participants (N = 18) aged between 65 and 86 (M = 77.82, SD = 5.59) who were retired and living independently in the community were provided a 6-week BA program predominantly delivered online. Treatment retention, self-ratings, and participants' compliance to treatment principles indicate preliminary feasibility for the use of BA as an approach for increasing active engagement in older adult populations. Participants also provided feedback on their experiences with the program post-intervention via individual structured interviews. Thematic analysis of these data revealed that participants found the program to be beneficial in terms of increased self-awareness and social engagement, and provided several recommendations for improving acceptability of the program and workbook. The unexpected events relating to the first wave of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) led to necessary adaptations to delivery modalities, and provided the researchers with an opportunity to investigate the use of a structured well-being program on a high-risk population during a pandemic. Our findings support the proposition that BA is a suitable intervention for increasing engagement and well-being in older adults, provide insight into adapting programs for older adults, and suggest next steps for testing intervention efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Ure
- Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher Gill
- Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Teal Evans
- Flinders University, AdelaideSouth Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Ruth Walker
- Flinders University, AdelaideSouth Australia, Australia
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Atula M, Atula T, Aro K, Irjala H, Halme E, Jouppila-Mättö A, Koivunen P, Wilkman T, Mäkitie A, Elovainio M, Pulkki-Råback L. Psychosocial factors and patient and healthcare delays in large (class T3-T4) oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal carcinomas. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:760. [PMID: 38914952 PMCID: PMC11197283 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12517-x] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We investigated the association between different psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and patient delays in T3-T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a nationwide prospective questionnaire-based study (n = 203) over a 3-year period. RESULTS We found no association between psychosocial factors (depression, social isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility) and patient delay. Depression was three times more common among head and neck cancer patients compared with the general Finnish population. Head and neck cancer patients had lower educational levels and employment status, and were more often current smokers and heavy drinkers. CONCLUSIONS Although we found no association between patient delay and psychosocial factors, patients diagnosed with a large head and neck cancer appeared to have a lower socioeconomic status and higher risk for developing depression, which should be considered in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Atula
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, P.O.Box 263, Helsinki, HUS, FI-00029, Finland.
| | - Timo Atula
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, P.O.Box 263, Helsinki, HUS, FI-00029, Finland
| | - Katri Aro
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, P.O.Box 263, Helsinki, HUS, FI-00029, Finland
| | - Heikki Irjala
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Elina Halme
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Jouppila-Mättö
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petri Koivunen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tommy Wilkman
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, P.O.Box 263, Helsinki, HUS, FI-00029, Finland
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Wang SD, Wroblewski KE, Iveniuk J, Schumm LP, Hawkley LC, McClintock MK, Huang ES. Prediabetes Progression and Reversion: Social Factors and Racial/Ethnic Differences. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-02046-5. [PMID: 38869678 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-02046-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by diabetes. Social characteristics, such as family structure, social support, and loneliness, may contribute to these health disparities. In a nationally representative sample of diverse older adults, we evaluated longitudinal rates of both progression from prediabetes to diabetes and reversion from prediabetes to normoglycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (2006-2014), our sample included 2625 follow-up intervals with a prediabetes baseline (provided by 2229 individuals). We analyzed 4-year progression and reversion rates using HbA1c and reported presence or absence of physician-diagnosed diabetes. We utilized chi-square and logistic regression models to determine how race/ethnicity and social variables influenced progression or reversion controlling for comorbidities and demographics. RESULTS Overall, progression to diabetes was less common than reversion (17% vs. 36%). Compared to Whites, Hispanic/Latino respondents had higher odds of progression to diabetes from prediabetes while Black respondents had lower odds of reversion, adjusting for physical health and demographics. For social variables, Hispanics/Latinos had the highest reliance on and openness with family and the lowest rates of loneliness. The inclusion of social variables in regression models reduced the odds of progression for Hispanics/Latinos but did not alter Black's lower rate of reversion. CONCLUSIONS Hispanic/Latinos and Blacks not only had different transition pathways leading to diabetes, but also had different social profiles, affecting Hispanic/Latino progression, but not Black reversion. These differences in the influence of social variables on diabetes risk may inform the design of culturally-specific efforts to reduce disparities in diabetes burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina D Wang
- Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kristen E Wroblewski
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James Iveniuk
- The Bridge at NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - L Phillip Schumm
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Louise C Hawkley
- The Bridge at NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Martha K McClintock
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elbert S Huang
- Section of General Internal Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Capraro V, Lentsch A, Acemoglu D, Akgun S, Akhmedova A, Bilancini E, Bonnefon JF, Brañas-Garza P, Butera L, Douglas KM, Everett JAC, Gigerenzer G, Greenhow C, Hashimoto DA, Holt-Lunstad J, Jetten J, Johnson S, Kunz WH, Longoni C, Lunn P, Natale S, Paluch S, Rahwan I, Selwyn N, Singh V, Suri S, Sutcliffe J, Tomlinson J, van der Linden S, Van Lange PAM, Wall F, Van Bavel JJ, Viale R. The impact of generative artificial intelligence on socioeconomic inequalities and policy making. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae191. [PMID: 38864006 PMCID: PMC11165650 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to both exacerbate and ameliorate existing socioeconomic inequalities. In this article, we provide a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary overview of the potential impacts of generative AI on (mis)information and three information-intensive domains: work, education, and healthcare. Our goal is to highlight how generative AI could worsen existing inequalities while illuminating how AI may help mitigate pervasive social problems. In the information domain, generative AI can democratize content creation and access but may dramatically expand the production and proliferation of misinformation. In the workplace, it can boost productivity and create new jobs, but the benefits will likely be distributed unevenly. In education, it offers personalized learning, but may widen the digital divide. In healthcare, it might improve diagnostics and accessibility, but could deepen pre-existing inequalities. In each section, we cover a specific topic, evaluate existing research, identify critical gaps, and recommend research directions, including explicit trade-offs that complicate the derivation of a priori hypotheses. We conclude with a section highlighting the role of policymaking to maximize generative AI's potential to reduce inequalities while mitigating its harmful effects. We discuss strengths and weaknesses of existing policy frameworks in the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, observing that each fails to fully confront the socioeconomic challenges we have identified. We propose several concrete policies that could promote shared prosperity through the advancement of generative AI. This article emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to understand and address the complex challenges of generative AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Capraro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
| | | | - Daron Acemoglu
- Institute Professor and Department of Economics, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Selin Akgun
- College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Aisel Akhmedova
- College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | | | - Pablo Brañas-Garza
- Loyola Behavioral Lab, Loyola Andalucia University, Córdoba 41740, Spain
| | - Luigi Butera
- Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg 2000, Denmark
| | - Karen M Douglas
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury CT27NP, UK
| | - Jim A C Everett
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury CT27NP, UK
| | - Gerd Gigerenzer
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Christine Greenhow
- College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Daniel A Hashimoto
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
- Department of Computer and Information Science, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6309, USA
| | - Julianne Holt-Lunstad
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Jolanda Jetten
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Simon Johnson
- School of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Werner H Kunz
- Department of Marketing, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Chiara Longoni
- Department of Marketing, Bocconi University, Milan 20136, Italy
| | - Pete Lunn
- Behavioural Research Unit, Economic & Social Research Institute, Dublin D02 K138, Ireland
| | - Simone Natale
- Department of Humanities, University of Turin, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Stefanie Paluch
- Department of Service and Technology Marketing, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Iyad Rahwan
- Center for Humans and Machines, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Neil Selwyn
- Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Vivek Singh
- Penn Computer Assisted Surgery and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Sutcliffe
- College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Joe Tomlinson
- York Law School, University of York, York YO105DD, UK
| | | | - Paul A M Van Lange
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Friederike Wall
- Department of Management Control and Strategic Management, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee 9020, Austria
| | - Jay J Van Bavel
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
- Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen 5045, Norway
| | - Riccardo Viale
- CISEPS, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan 20126, Italy
- Herbert Simon Society, Turin 10122, Italy
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Jeanes R, O’Connor J, Penney D, Spaaij R, Magee J, O’ Hara E, Lymbery L. A mixed-method analysis of the contribution of informal sport to public health in Australia. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae048. [PMID: 38809233 PMCID: PMC11135211 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae048] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Informal sport is a growth area of sport participation but there has been limited examination of how informal and unstructured forms of participation may contribute to health outcomes that are important for public health. This article aims to address the current lack of data examining the health outcomes associated with informal sport participation and consider the potential role of informal sport within efforts to promote healthier communities through sport. The article seeks to broaden understanding of how informal sport participation can contribute to health outcomes, particularly with regard to increasing physical activity and enhancing mental health and social connection. The article discusses the findings of an Australian mixed-method study that draws on observation, survey, interview and focus group data to examine the prospective health and social benefits of informal sport participation for adults. The findings demonstrate that informal sport participation can contribute to physical and mental health outcomes and facilitate social connection. Analysis of the observation data enabled an examination of the economic value of informal sport in relation to the health benefits it affords. The study provides valuable evidence of the value of informal sport for enhancing community health and broadens understanding of how sport can be utilized as a health promotion resource. The article concludes by suggesting that through leveraging existing infrastructure and the self-organizing aspects of informal sport, local government and health stakeholders can harness its potential to improve public health outcomes and address health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Jeanes
- School of Curriculum Teaching and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, McMahon’s Road, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justen O’Connor
- School of Curriculum Teaching and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, McMahon’s Road, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dawn Penney
- School of Curriculum Teaching and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, McMahon’s Road, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia
- School of Education, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - Ramon Spaaij
- College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Nicholson & Buckley Streets, Footscray, 3011, Victoria, Australia
- School of Governance, Utrecht University, Bijlhouwerstraat 6 3511 ZC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Magee
- School of Curriculum Teaching and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, McMahon’s Road, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia
- School of Education, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - Eibhlish O’ Hara
- School of Education, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - Lisa Lymbery
- College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Nicholson & Buckley Streets, Footscray, 3011, Victoria, Australia
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Lee RT, Surenkok G, Zayas V. Mitigating the affective and cognitive consequences of social exclusion: an integrative data analysis of seven social disconnection interventions. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1250. [PMID: 38714949 PMCID: PMC11075311 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being socially excluded has detrimental effects, with prolonged exclusion linked to loneliness and social isolation. Social disconnection interventions that do not require direct support actions (e.g., "how can I help?") offer promise in mitigating the affective and cognitive consequences of social exclusion. We examine how various social disconnection interventions involving friends and unknown peers might mitigate social exclusion by buffering (intervening before) and by promoting recovery (intervening after). METHODS We present an integrative data analysis (IDA) of five studies (N = 664) that systematically exposed participants to exclusion (vs. inclusion) social dynamics. Using a well-validated paradigm, participants had a virtual interaction with two other people. Unbeknownst to participants, the other people's behavior was programmed to either behave inclusively toward the participant or for one to behave exclusively. Critically, our social disconnection interventions experimentally manipulated whether a friend was present (vs. an unknown peer vs. being alone), the nature of interpersonal engagement (having a face-to-face conversation vs. a reminder of an upcoming interaction vs. mere presence), and the timing of the intervention in relation to the social dynamic (before vs. during vs. after). We then assessed participants' in-the-moment affective and cognitive responses, which included mood, feelings of belonging, sense of control, and social comfort. RESULTS Experiencing exclusion (vs. inclusion) led to negative affective and cognitive consequences. However, engaging in a face-to-face conversation with a friend before the exclusion lessened its impact (p < .001). Moreover, a face-to-face conversation with a friend after exclusion, and even a reminder of an upcoming interaction with a friend, sped-up recovery (ps < .001). There was less conclusive evidence that a face-to-face conversation with an unknown peer, or that the mere presence of a friend or unknown peer, conferred protective benefits. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide support for the effectiveness of social disconnection interventions that involve actual (i.e., face-to-face) or symbolic (i.e., reminders) interactions with friends. These interventions target momentary vulnerabilities that arise from social exclusion by addressing negative affect and cognitions before or after they emerge. As such, they offer a promising approach to primary prevention prior to the onset of loneliness and social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy T Lee
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Gizem Surenkok
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Vivian Zayas
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Pollak C, Verghese J, Blumen HM. Loneliness predicts decreased physical activity in widowed but not married or unmarried individuals. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1295128. [PMID: 38756882 PMCID: PMC11096491 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1295128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Physical activity is associated with improved health and function in older adults, yet most older adults are sedentary. Loneliness is associated with decreased physical activity at the cross-section, but longitudinal studies are scarce. We examined longitudinal associations between loneliness and physical activity-and whether they were modified by marital status and network size (the number of children, relatives, and friends a person interacts with at least once a month). Methods We analyzed data from 1,931 older adults without dementia at baseline from the Rush Memory and Aging Project with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years (mean age 79.6 ± 7.7, 74.9% women). Loneliness was assessed using the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Physical activity was assessed as the frequency with which participants engaged in five categories of activities (e.g., walking, gardening, calisthenics, bicycling, and swimming). Linear mixed effects models examined associations between baseline loneliness and change in physical activity over time after adjusting for demographics, depressive symptoms, global cognition, disability, network size, marital status, social support, and social and cognitive activities. We assessed for effect modification by marital status and network size. Results Associations between loneliness and physical activity differed by marital status. In widowed individuals, baseline loneliness was associated with a 0.06 h/week greater decrease in physical activity per year compared to those who were not lonely (p = 0.005, CI -0.1, 0.02)-which equaled a 150% decrease in physical activity per year. Loneliness did not predict a statistically significant decrease in physical activity in married or unmarried individuals. Discussion Loneliness is associated with decreased physical activity in widowed older adults and should be considered in the design of interventions to prevent or slow the decline in physical activity and promote healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chava Pollak
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Joe Verghese
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Helena M. Blumen
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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18
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Huang Y, Fleury J. Socially-supported sleep in older adults aged 50 and older: a concept analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1364639. [PMID: 38645458 PMCID: PMC11027164 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1364639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The population of older adults is growing disproportionately, constituting 13% of the global population in 2022, and is expected to double by 2050. One of public health's priorities is healthy aging, the maintenance of functional ability aligned with well-being. As many as 50% of older adults report poor sleep quality, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The quality and quantity of social relationships may broadly benefit sleep in older adults. However, the concept of socially-supported sleep is underdeveloped as a basis for intervention. Methods Existing literature was searched without time restriction in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus ending in August 2022. Thematic analysis was used to determine the defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of socially-supported sleep guided by Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis. Results Twenty-nine articles written in English, peer-reviewed, and examined social support and sleep in participants aged ≥50 were included. The defining attributes reflect dimensions of sleep quality. The antecedents are safe and secure, belonging and connection, and warmth and comfort. The consequences of socially-supported sleep include improved regulatory capabilities, physical and emotional well-being, and quality of life. Conclusion Socially-supported sleep has the potential to inform interventions that promote sleep in older adults. Ongoing research is needed to address the antecedents and mechanisms through which socially-supported sleep may promote sleep quality for healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyan Huang
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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19
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Devita M, Marescalco E, Bordignon A, Trevisan C, Sergi G, Coin A. Social interaction level modulates the impact of frailty on cognitive decline: a longitudinal study. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:652-657. [PMID: 37602456 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2247349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study evaluates whether social interaction level modifies the association between frailty and cognitive decline in older adults. METHODS A total of 2701 adults aged ≥65 years enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.), participated in the study. At baseline, participants were classified as having low, moderate, or high social interactions based on: cohabiting status, frequency of contacts with relatives/friends or involvement in childcare activities, and frequency of participation in social or community activities. Baseline frailty was defined as the presence of ≥3 criteria among: weight loss, weakness, slowness, low physical activity, and exhaustion. Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and after 4.4 and 7 years. The association between frailty and MMSE changes over time was evaluated through linear mixed models. Interaction and subgroup analyses explored the modifying effect of social interaction level on the above association. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 76.1 years, and 59.1% were women. Frail individuals had a steeper annual MMSE decline than their non-frail counterparts (ß=-0.40, 95%CI: -0.59, -0.20). When stratifying participants by social interaction level, we found that the association between frailty and MMSE changes over time was stronger in those with low social interactions (ß=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.33, -0.15) while attenuated in those with moderate (ß=-0.42, 95%CI: -0.74, -0.11) or high social interaction level (ß=-0.29, 95%CI: -0.58, 0.01). CONCLUSION Maintaining frequent social interactions might mitigate the negative impact of frailty on older people's cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Devita
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marescalco
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bordignon
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Caterina Trevisan
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sergi
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Coin
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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20
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Lamash L, Fogel Y, Hen-Herbst L. Adolescents' social interaction skills on social media versus in person and the correlations to well-being. J Adolesc 2024; 96:501-511. [PMID: 37690068 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-quality social interactions with peers could protect adolescents' mental health, resilience, and well-being. Assessing their social interaction skills (SIS) is essential to enhancing them. However, few instruments provide information about SIS in in-person and social media environments. The SIS Questionnaire (SISQ) was developed to fill this gap, spotlighting adolescents' viewpoints on SIS in both environments. This study aimed to describe the SISQ development and psychometric properties, differences in adolescents' SIS in both environments, and relationships between the adolescents' SIS and subjective well-being. METHODS A total of 214 typically developed adolescents aged 12-18 (M = 15.3 years, SD = 1.77; 61.2% girls) completed online questionnaires (demographic, SISQ, and Five Well-Being Index). We used exploratory factor analysis for construct validity, Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability, t-tests for differences in SIS, Cohen's d for effect sizes, and Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression for relationships between SIS and well-being. RESULTS The SISQ has content validity and a monofactorial scale construct validity with very good internal reliability. Participants rated their in-person SIS significantly higher than on social media, t(213) = -5.24, p < 0.001, d = 0.36, and the in-person environment as more important, t(213) = -11.57, p < 0.001, d = 0.79, than the social media environment. A significant correlation was found between both in-person SIS (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) and social media (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and well-being. CONCLUSION The SISQ is a valid, reliable tool for assessing adolescents' SIS, essential to promoting these skills in this unique environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Lamash
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yael Fogel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Liat Hen-Herbst
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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Amo C, Nabil AK, Patterson MS. An egocentric network analysis of U.S. college students' recollection of mental health symptoms and social connections during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38227910 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2286469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Objective: This study analyzes pandemic-era diminished mental health and social connections among college students. Participants: Students of a large public university completed an online survey measuring self-reported mental health symptoms for themselves and that of their closest social connections. Methods: Three regression models were used to understand if pandemic-era diminished mental health was associated with mental health characteristics present among their social networks: (1) depressive symptoms, (2) loneliness, and (3) hopelessness. Results: Students experiencing depressive symptoms (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.685, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Students experiencing loneliness (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.867, p < 0.001) perceived loneliness (β = 0.39, p = 0.02) among their social connections. Students experiencing hopelessness (R2 = 0.14, F = 4.223, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.35, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Conclusion: Social connections may influence mental health symptoms and could be a social determinant of certain mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Amo
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Megan S Patterson
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Eliacin J, Patterson SM, Mendez DM, Burgess DJ, Traylor MH, Borden MY, Slaven JE, Matthias MS. Findings from a Peer-Facilitated, Social Isolation Intervention in the Veterans Health Administration Healthcare System: A Mixed-Methods, Pilot Feasibility Study. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3460-3471. [PMID: 37723366 PMCID: PMC10713941 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social isolation is a global public health threat. Veterans are particularly at risk for social isolation due to high rates of comorbid physical and mental health problems. Yet, effective interventions are limited. OBJECTIVES Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of CONNECTED, a novel, transdiagnostic intervention to reduce social isolation that includes individual and group components and is delivered by peers via telehealth. Secondary objectives were to identify appropriate outcome measures and explore preliminary intervention effects. METHODS This was a two-phase study. In Phase 1, to evaluate study feasibility, we surveyed 200 veterans to assess prevalence of social isolation and their interest in social connectedness interventions. In Phase 2, we employed a mixed-methods, pre-post study design in which we piloted CONNECTED with 19 veterans through 2 successive cohorts to further assess feasibility, to evaluate acceptability, and to explore preliminary effectiveness. Quantitative analyses involved descriptive and bivariate analyses as well as multivariate modeling. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS For Phase 1, 39% of veterans surveyed were socially isolated. Participants who were ≤ 55 years old, caregivers, and those who experienced unmet social needs were more likely to report social isolation. Over 61% expressed interest in VA programs to reduce social isolation. For Phase 2, the pilot intervention, recruitment rate was 88% and the enrollment rate was 86%. Retention rates for the two cohorts were 80% and 50%, respectively, and satisfaction rates among intervention completers were 100%. Results also showed statistically significant improvements in social isolation (+ 5.91, SD = 4.99; p = .0028), social support (+ 0.74, SD = 1.09; p = .03), anxiety (-3.92, SD = 3.73; p = .003), and depression (-3.83, SD = 3.13; p = .001). Results for the other measures were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION CONNECTED is a feasible and acceptable intervention and is likely to be an effective tool to intervene on social isolation among veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Eliacin
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Scott M Patterson
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Diana M Mendez
- Department of Psychiatry, Orlando VA Healthcare System, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Diana J Burgess
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Morgan H Traylor
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Maria Y Borden
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - James E Slaven
- Deparmtent of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Marianne S Matthias
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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23
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Semenza DC, Stansfield R, Silver IA, Savage B. Reciprocal Neighborhood Dynamics in Gun Violence Exposure, Community Health, and Concentrated Disadvantage in One Hundred US Cities. J Urban Health 2023; 100:1128-1139. [PMID: 37843742 PMCID: PMC10728405 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-023-00796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Gun violence imparts a tremendous human and financial toll on local communities. Researchers have documented extensive mental and physical health consequences of generalized violence exposure but few studies have analyzed the particular impacts of gun violence on community well-being using nationally comprehensive data. We leverage a unique database of almost 16,000 neighborhoods in 100 US cities (2014-2019) to examine how year-over-year rates of gun violence correspond to overall neighborhood well-being and three aspects of community health: (1) health behaviors, (2) physical and mental health status, and (3) health prevention efforts. We simultaneously consider the reciprocal influence of neighborhood well-being on subsequent gun violence while accounting for concentrated disadvantage in communities. The results demonstrate that gun violence is associated with poorer community health in subsequent years, particularly health behaviors and mental/physical health status. Furthermore, we find substantial reciprocal effects for both gun violence and community health in their relationship to neighborhood concentrated disadvantage. These findings highlight the consequential role of gun violence in perpetuating cycles of harm in local communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Semenza
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, USA.
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
| | - Richard Stansfield
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Ian A Silver
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brielle Savage
- School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
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24
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Mahalingam G, Samtani S, Lam BCP, Lipnicki DM, Lima-Costa MF, Blay SL, Castro-Costa E, Shifu X, Guerchet M, Preux PM, Gbessemehlan A, Skoog I, Najar J, Sterner TR, Scarmeas N, Yannakoulia M, Riedel-Heller S, Dardiotis T, Röhr S, Kim KW, Pabst A, Shahar S, Numbers K, Ganguli M, Hughes TF, Chang CCH, Crowe M, Ng TP, Gwee X, Chua DQL, Rymaszewska J, Wolf-Ostermann K, Welmer AK, Stafford J, Mélis R, Vernooij-Dassen M, Jeon YH, Sachdev PS, Brodaty H. Social connections and risk of incident mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and mortality in 13 longitudinal cohort studies of ageing. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5114-5128. [PMID: 37102417 PMCID: PMC10603208 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13072] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous meta-analyses have linked social connections and mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and mortality. However, these used aggregate data from North America and Europe and examined a limited number of social connection markers. METHODS We used individual participant data (N = 39271, Mage = 70.67 (40-102), 58.86% female, Meducation = 8.43 years, Mfollow-up = 3.22 years) from 13 longitudinal ageing studies. A two-stage meta-analysis of Cox regression models examined the association between social connection markers with our primary outcomes. RESULTS We found associations between good social connections structure and quality and lower risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI); between social structure and function and lower risk of incident dementia and mortality. Only in Asian cohorts, being married/in a relationship was associated with reduced risk of dementia, and having a confidante was associated with reduced risk of dementia and mortality. DISCUSSION Different aspects of social connections - structure, function, and quality - are associated with benefits for healthy aging internationally. HIGHLIGHTS Social connection structure (being married/in a relationship, weekly community group engagement, weekly family/friend interactions) and quality (never lonely) were associated with lower risk of incident MCI. Social connection structure (monthly/weekly friend/family interactions) and function (having a confidante) were associated with lower risk of incident dementia. Social connection structure (living with others, yearly/monthly/weekly community group engagement) and function (having a confidante) were associated with lower risk of mortality. Evidence from 13 longitudinal cohort studies of ageing indicates that social connections are important targets for reducing risk of incident MCI, incident dementia, and mortality. Only in Asian cohorts, being married/in a relationship was associated with reduced risk of dementia, and having a confidante was associated with reduced risk of dementia and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowsaly Mahalingam
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Suraj Samtani
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Ben Chun Pan Lam
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Darren M Lipnicki
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa
- Center for Studies in Public Health and Aging’ René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sergio Luis Blay
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erico Castro-Costa
- Center for Studies in Public Health and Aging’ René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Xiao Shifu
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Maëlenn Guerchet
- Inserm U1094, IRD UMR270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT – Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Pierre-Marie Preux
- Inserm U1094, IRD UMR270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT – Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Antoine Gbessemehlan
- Inserm U1094, IRD UMR270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT – Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Ingmar Skoog
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Psychiatry, Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jenna Najar
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Psychiatry, Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Therese Rydberg Sterner
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nikolaos Scarmeas
- 1st Department of Neurology, Aiginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Taub Institute for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Yannakoulia
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Steffi Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Röhr
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Health and Ageing Research Team, School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston, New Zealand
| | - Ki-Woong Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Alexander Pabst
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Suzana Shahar
- Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Katya Numbers
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Mary Ganguli
- Departments of Psychiatry, Epidemiology, and Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Chung-Chou H. Chang
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael Crowe
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tze Pin Ng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xinyi Gwee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Qian Ling Chua
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Karin Wolf-Ostermann
- Department of Health Services and Nursing Science Research, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Anna-Karin Welmer
- Aging Research Center & Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jean Stafford
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK
| | - René Mélis
- Department of Geriatrics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yun-Hee Jeon
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
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25
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Costanzo A, van der Velpen IF, Ikram MA, Vernooij-Dassen MJ, Niessen WJ, Vernooij MW, Kas MJ. Social Health Is Associated With Tract-Specific Brain White Matter Microstructure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:1003-1011. [PMID: 37881589 PMCID: PMC10593878 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor social health has been linked to a risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuroimaging studies have shown associations between social health and global white matter microstructural integrity. We aimed to identify which white matter tracts are involved in these associations. Methods Social health markers (loneliness, perceived social support, and partnership status) and white matter microstructural integrity of 15 white matter tracts (identified with probabilistic tractography after diffusion magnetic resonance imaging) were collected for 3352 participants (mean age 58.4 years, 54.9% female) from 2002 to 2008 in the Rotterdam Study. Cross-sectional associations were studied using multivariable linear regression. Results Loneliness was associated with higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the superior thalamic radiation and the parahippocampal part of the cingulum (standardized mean difference for both tracts: 0.21, 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.34). Better perceived social support was associated with lower MD in the forceps minor (standardized mean difference per point increase in social support: -0.06, 95% CI, -0.09 to -0.03), inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and uncinate fasciculus. In male participants, better perceived social support was associated with lower MD in the forceps minor, and not having a partner was associated with lower fractional anisotropy in the forceps minor. Loneliness was associated with higher MD in the superior thalamic radiation in female participants only. Conclusions Social health was associated with tract-specific white matter microstructure. Loneliness was associated with lower integrity of limbic and sensorimotor tracts, whereas better perceived social support was associated with higher integrity of association and commissural tracts, indicating that social health domains involve distinct neural pathways of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Costanzo
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Isabelle F. van der Velpen
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Wiro J. Niessen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meike W. Vernooij
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martien J. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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26
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Van Orden KA, Bower E, Lutz J, Silva C. Engage coaching for caregivers: a pilot trial to reduce loneliness in dementia caregivers. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:2019-2026. [PMID: 36898849 PMCID: PMC10492891 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2187345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There are no evidence-based interventions for reducing loneliness in family caregivers of people with dementia (ADRD caregivers), despite heightened risk. We examined feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention, Engage Coaching for Caregivers, to reduce loneliness and increase social connection for older ADRD caregivers experiencing stress and loneliness. METHODS A single-arm clinical trial of 8 individual sessions of Engage Coaching delivered remotely. Outcomes assessed 3-months post-intervention included loneliness and relationship satisfaction (co-primary) and perceived social isolation (secondary). RESULTS Engage Coaching was feasible to deliver, with n = 25 of 30 enrolled completing at least 80% of sessions. 83% indicated the program met expectations and 100% reported the program was suitable and convenient. Improvements were observed in loneliness (standardized response mean [SRM] = 0.63), relationship satisfaction (SRM = 0.56), and perceived social isolation (SRM = 0.70). CONCLUSION Engage Coaching is a promising behavioral intervention to enhance social connection for older ADRD caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Van Orden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, 14642, United States
| | - Emily Bower
- Pacific University, School of Graduate Psychology, Hillsboro, OR
| | - Julie Lutz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, 14642, United States
| | - Caroline Silva
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, 14642, United States
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27
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Lee SH, Cole SW, Choi I, Sung K, Kim S, Youm Y, Chey J. Social network position and the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity in older Koreans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 155:106342. [PMID: 37523898 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social connections are crucial to human health and well-being. Previous research on molecular mechanisms in health has focused primarily on the individual-level perception of social connections (e.g., loneliness). This study adopted socio-centric social network analysis that includes all social ties from the entire population of interest to examine the group-level social connections and their association with a molecular genomic measure of health. METHODS Using socio-centric (global) social network data from an entire village in Korea, we investigated how social network characteristics are related to immune cell gene expression among older adults. Blood samples were collected (N = 53, 65-79 years) and mixed effect linear model analyses were performed to examine the association between social network characteristics and Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) RNA expression patterns. RESULTS Social network positions measured by k-core score, the degree of cohesive core positions in an entire village, were significantly associated with CTRA downregulation. Such associations emerged above and beyond the effects of perceived social isolation (loneliness) and biobehavioral risk factors (smoking, alcohol, BMI, etc.). Social network size, defined as degree centrality, was also associated with reduced CTRA gene expression, but its association mimicked that of perceived social isolation (loneliness). CONCLUSIONS The current findings implicate community-level social network characteristics in the regulation of individual human genome function above and beyond individual-level perceptions of connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Ha Lee
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Steven W Cole
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Incheol Choi
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, South Korea; Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Kiho Sung
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, South Korea
| | - Somin Kim
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea
| | - Yoosik Youm
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, South Korea.
| | - Jeanyung Chey
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, South Korea.
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28
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Matthews TA, Li J. Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social Isolation, Job Strain, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in U.S. Older Employees. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1304. [PMID: 37512115 PMCID: PMC10383992 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a key driver of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the contribution of psychosocial stressors to the development of CVD has not been systematically examined in United States (U.S.) populations. The objective of this study was to assess prospective associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), social isolation, and job strain with CVD mortality. Data were from the large, nationally representative, population-based Health and Retirement Study (HRS). ACEs, social isolation and job strain were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline between 2006-2008, and death information was followed up through 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine prospective associations of ACEs, social isolation, and job strain with CVD mortality among 4046 older employees free from CVD at baseline. During 42,149 person-years of follow-up time, 59 death cases of CVD were reported. After adjustment for covariates, ACEs and job strain were significantly associated with increased risk of CVD mortality (aHR and 95% CI = 3.67 [1.59, 8.48] and 2.24 [1.21, 4.11], respectively), whereas social isolation demonstrated an inflated but nonsignificant association (aHR and 95% CI = 1.62 [0.72, 3.66]). These findings highlight the role of psychosocial exposures as novel and clinically relevant risk factors for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Matthews
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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29
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Iso-Ahola SE. Non-consciously processed physical activity for survival versus consciously deliberated exercise for health. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1181671. [PMID: 37384173 PMCID: PMC10293637 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1181671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans evolved to become dependent on physical activity for their survival, but they have not evolved to exercise today. Because survival in modern society is heavily reliant on conscious thinking, most people (54%) have evolved away from physical activity and become occasional exercisers. This transition from non-conscious to conscious processing prevents people from capitalizing on evolution's wisdom for survival and wellbeing as they consciously deliberate on the utility of health practices to achieve certain outcomes (e.g., weight loss). Unlike in early times, people today have a choice of not engaging in physical activity and yet surviving. As a result, they struggle with the question whether the gains from exercising are greater than losses from not doing it, weighing positive gains and losses against negative gains and losses. Such conscious deliberations, however, can easily be overridden by solving cognitive dissonance (e.g., "exercise is good for my health" vs. "I don't exercise") through conscious rationalizations and non-conscious dismissal. Today's exercise problem can only be solved by individually acquiring the mindset of early times of evolution when the initiation of physical activity was largely a matter of non-conscious thoughts and feelings.
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30
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Hussain B, Mirza M, Baines R, Burns L, Stevens S, Asthana S, Chatterjee A. Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1113864. [PMID: 37255758 PMCID: PMC10225733 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1113864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Loneliness has significant impacts on the health of older adults. Social networks help to improve psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among older adults. A fifth of older adults live in rural communities, where geographic isolation poses challenges to health. The dynamics of social networks of older adults in rural communities has not been explored. Objective To synthesize the literature related to loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural settings. Methods A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted through searching six bibliographic databases to retrieve peer-reviewed literature with no time limits. We performed a methodological assessment of each study using a mixed method quality assessment tool. Findings are synthesized thematically. Results A total of 50 studies (32 quantitative, 15 qualitative, and 3 mixed methods) were included in this review. Studies were conducted in 17 different countries, the majority from China (n = 12), the UK (n = 9), and USA (n = 9). Findings revealed that social networks of older adults consist of family, friends and neighbors and continue to be developed through participation in various physical and social activities such as walking groups and participation in religious events. Social networks offer informational, functional, psychological and social support to older adults. Through their social networks, older adults feel socially connected and cared for. Successful interventions to improve social networks and address loneliness were those developed in groups or one-on-one with the older adults. The key ingredient to the positive impact of these interventions on reducing social isolation and loneliness was the formation of a social connection and regular engagement with the older adults. However, the review did not find any explicitly reported theory or model on which these interventions are based. Conclusion The prevalence of loneliness among older adults in rural areas needs urgent attention. Social network theory and methods can help in developing interventions to address social isolation and loneliness among older adults in rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basharat Hussain
- Peninsula School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Mahrukh Mirza
- Peninsula School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Baines
- Peninsula School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna Burns
- Peninsula School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sheena Asthana
- Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR), Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Centre for Health Technology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Centre for Coastal Communities, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Arunangsu Chatterjee
- Centre for Health Technology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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31
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Borowski E, Stathopoulos A. Nowhere to go? A study of marginalization, social connection, and mental health outcomes among young adults experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH 2023; 30:101589. [PMID: 37008981 PMCID: PMC9968624 DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic onset necessitated large-scale closures of third places, potentially exacerbating social barriers experienced by young adults in the United States. To better understand the role of urban form in facilitating socialization, we examine the effects of pandemic-based third place closures on mental health outcomes as mediated by changes in social connection. Because identifying as a racial, gender, or sexual minority can compound baseline disadvantages rooted in systemic inequities, we investigate outcome differences for non-white, woman/nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ young adults to disentangle identity-based nuances of the pandemic experience. METHODS In February 2021, we administered a web-based survey with retrospective name and place generators to 313 18-to-34-year-olds in California, Illinois, and Texas. A structural equation model is estimated showing the direct and indirect effects of physical and virtual mobility constraints on mental health. RESULTS Both the closure of third places and dissatisfaction with alternative social spaces are associated with the deterioration of social connections and mental health. The strongest direct predictor of mental health decline is dissatisfaction with virtual socialization (more significant for women and nonbinary respondents). Surprisingly, two distinct categories of third places (i.e., 'civic' and 'commercial') reveal different relationships with social connections and mental health outcomes. Asian, other non-white, and non-heterosexual young adults experienced greater 'civic' visit reduction, while those with intersecting identities of low income and woman/nonbinary or Black experienced greater 'commercial' visit reduction. CONCLUSIONS Physical and virtual mobility reductions contributed to the inequitable mental health outcomes experienced by young adults during the pandemic. This highlights the potential for a careful redesign of physical and virtual social spaces to support feelings of belonging/safety and spontaneous 'weak tie' interactions, encourages further investigation of social infrastructure's role in facilitating the maintenance of social connections and mental health, and reveals the value of examining differences in mobility-related experiences across social identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Borowski
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Amanda Stathopoulos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Smart E, Li J, Becerra M, King G. Programs Promoting Virtual Social Connections and Friendships for Youth with Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2023; 43:780-805. [PMID: 37122071 DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2023.2199827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This scoping review explores what is known about programs that support youth with physical and developmental disabilities to create virtual social connections as a means toward friendships. METHODS Peer-reviewed studies were searched in six electronic databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Two reviewers screened articles that described programs in which participants, ages 8-20, interacted with others online, and reported outcomes related to virtual social connections and friendships in their personal social networks. Data extraction involved program characteristics (e.g., duration, group members, online platform) plus qualitative description outlining access and participation experiences. RESULTS After screening 12,605 articles, 9 were determined eligible. Programs followed two approaches: (1) training youth to use the internet and technology to access virtual spaces independently; and (2) designing virtual opportunities and activities that encourage youth interaction and collaboration. Each approach was grounded in the principles of fostering privacy and independence (i.e., socializing with peers without relying on caregivers), safety and self-expression (i.e., communicating authentically), plus confidence and capability (i.e., trying new skills). CONCLUSIONS This scoping review provides guidance on enhancing access and participation of youth with disabilities in virtual spaces where they can develop social connections that increase chances for friendships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Smart
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Research Program, Quality Management, TVCC (Formerly Thames Valley Children's Centre), London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joelle Li
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maria Becerra
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gillian King
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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Kotwal AA, Cenzer IS, Yaffe K, Perissinotto C, Smith AK. End-of-life health care use among socially isolated and cognitively impaired older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:880-887. [PMID: 36420540 PMCID: PMC10023302 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social isolation is common in the last years of life, especially among individuals with cognitive impairment (CI), but it is unknown if social isolation is related to end-of-life health care use. METHODS We used nationally-representative 2006-2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data linked to Medicare claims, including adults age ≥65 interviewed in the last 4 years of life (N = 2380). We used a validated social isolation scale and three social isolation subscales: (1) household contacts (marital status, household size, nearby children), (2) social network interaction (with children, family, and friends), and (3) community engagement. End-of-life health outcomes included 2+ emergency department (ED) visits in the last month of life, hospitalizations or ICU stays in the last 6 months of life, and any hospice use. CI was defined using the validated Langa-Weir methodology. We used logistic regression to test the association of each social isolation measure with each end-of-life outcome, adjusted for sociodemographic covariates, and tested for interaction terms with CI (p < 0.2). RESULTS The mean age of our sample of decedents was 81.2 (SD = 9.9), 53% were female, 8% Black, and 4% Hispanic. Overall, social isolation and the community engagement subscale were not associated with end-of-life health care use. Fewer household contacts were associated with lower hospice use (aOR = 0.74, p = 0.005). There were significant interaction terms between the social network interaction subscale and CI for ED use (p = 0.009) and hospitalizations (p = 0.04), and a trend for ICU stays (p = 0.15); individuals with both low social network interaction and CI had lower health care use across all three outcomes compared to other groups. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with fewer household contacts had lower hospice use, and cognitively impaired individuals with low social network interaction had fewer end-of-life ED visits, hospitalizations, and ICU stays. Clinicians should consider mobilizing external support services to ensure access to goal-concordant care for older adults with limited end-of-life social contact when needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin A Kotwal
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Irena S Cenzer
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health System, San Francisco, California, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Carla Perissinotto
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexander K Smith
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health System, San Francisco, California, USA
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Sims J, Baird R, Aboelata MJ, Mittermaier S. Cultivating a Healthier Policy Landscape: The Building Healthy Communities Initiative. Health Promot Pract 2023; 24:300-309. [PMID: 36172746 PMCID: PMC9932606 DOI: 10.1177/15248399221114341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify effective methods for local public health departments to secure policy and systems changes that will achieve health equity and improve health outcomes across diverse populations. METHODS We reviewed 220 documents from a philanthropic initiative that funded collaborative efforts to improve conditions for health and equity in 14 California communities from 2010 to 2020. We examined the role of factors associated with movement-building approaches-such as organizing, base-building, investing in organizational capacity, and forming alliances-in securing policy and systems changes that foster more equitable community conditions. RESULTS All 14 sites made progress in implementing policies and systems to improve the social determinants of health, including neighborhood conditions and the built environment, health care access, social and community context, economic stability, and education access. All 14 also shifted processes to be more inclusive of and responsive to community members, who in turn gained capacity to advocate for change and build collective power. CONCLUSION Local public health leaders can make progress toward health equity by drawing on movement-building approaches to change policies and systems that affect social determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rob Baird
- Prevention Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Lay-Yee R, Matthews T, Moffitt T, Poulton R, Caspi A, Milne B. Are trajectories of social isolation from childhood to mid-adulthood associated with adult depression or suicide outcomes. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:373-382. [PMID: 36456781 PMCID: PMC9715405 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02389-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Social isolation has been shown to have negative effects on mental health outcomes though little is known about trajectories across the life course. We examined the relationship between trajectory groups and selected mental health outcomes in mid-adulthood. METHODS We previously created a typology of social isolation based on onset during the life course and persistence into adulthood, using group-based trajectory analysis of longitudinal data from a New Zealand birth cohort. The typology comprises four groups: 'never-isolated', 'adult-only', 'child-only', and 'persistent (child-adult) isolation'. We undertook logistic regression analyses of three mental health outcomes with trajectory group as the predictor, adjusting for sex and a range of familial and child-behavioural factors. RESULTS Lifetime suicide attempt, and depression and suicide ideation in mid-adulthood were each associated with adult-only but not child-only social isolation. Depression in mid-adulthood was also associated with persistent child-adult social isolation. CONCLUSION Although our findings are associational and not causal, they indicate that interrupting persistent social isolation may help to prevent adult depression whereas halting adult social isolation may ameliorate both depression and suicide outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Lay-Yee
- Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Timothy Matthews
- Department of Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Terrie Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Richie Poulton
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Barry Milne
- Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Goldman A, York Cornwell E. Stand by Me: Social Ties and Health in Real-Time. SOCIUS : SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH FOR A DYNAMIC WORLD 2023; 9:10.1177/23780231231171112. [PMID: 37822581 PMCID: PMC10566299 DOI: 10.1177/23780231231171112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Sociological research has documented myriad associations between individuals' overall social connectedness and health, but rarely considers the shorter-term dynamics of social life that may underlie these associations. We examine how being with others ("social accompaniment") is associated with momentary experiences of symptoms, drawing smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (N=12,720) collected from 342 older adults from the Chicago Health and Activity in Real Time study. We find that patterns of social accompaniment are distinct from global measures of social integration such as network size. Older adults who are in the company of a friend or neighbor are significantly less likely to experience momentary fatigue and stress, even after accounting for overall measures of social integration. These results suggest that social accompaniment has unique implications for short-term health outcomes. New theoretical perspectives and empirical analyses are needed to better understand the dynamic nature of everyday social accompaniment and its longer-term implications for well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Goldman
- Department of Sociology, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, 424 McGuinn Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
| | - Erin York Cornwell
- Department of Sociology, Cornell University, 390 Uris Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
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Kim MJ, Sul S. On the relationship between the social brain, social connectedness, and wellbeing. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1112438. [PMID: 36911115 PMCID: PMC9998496 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1112438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of social neuroscience in the past two decades has offered a useful neurocognitive framework for understanding human social behavior. Of importance, social neuroscience research aimed to provide mechanistic explanations for the established link between wellbeing and social behavioral phenomena-particularly those reflective of social connectedness. Here, we provide an overview of the relevant literature focusing on recent work using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In general, fMRI research demonstrated that aspects of social connectedness that are known to either positively (e.g., social acceptance) or negatively (e.g., social isolation) impact wellbeing also modulated the activity of subcortical reward system accordingly. Similar modulatory influence was found for the activity of other brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex, which are typically regarded as components of the "social brain" that support a wide range of functions related to social cognition and behavior. Elucidating such individual differences in brain activity may shed light onto the neural underpinnings of the link between social connectedness and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Justin Kim
- Department of Psychology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhae Sul
- Department of Psychology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Iso-Ahola SE, Baumeister RF. Leisure and meaning in life. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1074649. [PMID: 36925593 PMCID: PMC10011693 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1074649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
How people engage in leisure is an important but frequently underappreciated aspect of meaning in life. Leisure activities range from highly engaging and meaningful to subjectively trivial. Leisure itself is largely defined by meaning: The essence of leisure lies less in the specific activity than in the subjective perception of freedom, choice, and intrinsic motivation. People desire their lives to be meaningful, and leisure activities offer varying degrees of satisfying the basic needs for meaning (here covered as purpose, value, efficacy, and self-worth). Leisure activities vary along multiple conceptual dimensions, such as active vs. passive, seeking vs. escaping, solitary vs. interpersonal, and we consider the implications of these for meaningfulness. The most common leisure activity in modern society, watching television, encapsulates some of the paradoxes of leisure and meaningfulness. The study of how leisure enhances meaning in life is rich and ripe for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo E Iso-Ahola
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Roy F Baumeister
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Galvin KL, Tomlin D, Joubert L, Story L. Effects of widespread community use of face masks on communication, participation, and quality of life in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2022; 7:88. [PMID: 36182988 PMCID: PMC9526537 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-022-00436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to document the influence of face mask use by other people on communication experiences, participation in activities, and quality of life. Australian adults (n = 665) completed an online survey; 90.8% resided in a state with mandatory mask use outside the home and 44.1% self-reported hearing difficulties. Mask use was reported as negatively affecting communication quality in the community (90.2%) and workplace (91.8%), and with household members (59.1%), including an increased requirement for clarification and repetition, increased difficulty communicating, and decreased understanding. Masks influenced feelings when communicating in the community (74.1%) and workplace (76.7%), and with household members (43.6%), including increased fatigue and frustration, and decreased connection to others. Masks influenced the time spent communicating in the community (68.8%) and workplace (67.9%), and with household members (42.3%), including a decrease in the number of individuals communicated with, and the time spent communicating with each individual. Masks influenced participation in activities in the community (50.9%) and workplace (59.7%), and with household members (41.3%), including reduced participation in health-related activities, shopping, and socialising. Influences on quality of life included reduced physical and mental health, including increased loneliness. Female gender and greater self-reported hearing difficulties were significantly associated with increased influence of mask use. The wide-ranging influences of face mask use have implications for physical health and mental health, including social connectedness, and for employers and the economy. As an important measure for combatting disease spread, the negative impacts of mask use must be considered during policy formulation, and appropriate mitigating measures, such as educational campaigns, enacted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn L. Galvin
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Melbourne, 550 Swanston St, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3053 Australia
| | - Dani Tomlin
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Melbourne, 550 Swanston St, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3053 Australia
| | - Lynette Joubert
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Social Work, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lauren Story
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Melbourne, 550 Swanston St, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3053 Australia
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Understanding perspectives of older adults on the role of technology in the wider context of their social relationships. AGEING & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x2200085x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Technological interventions are increasingly popular methods of targeting and preventing loneliness in older adults. Research has identified various factors that influence the willingness and propensity of older adults to integrate technology into their social lives and the ways in which this may enhance their social connectedness. Given prevalence rates and negative outcomes associated with loneliness for this population, further research is warranted to clarify the mechanisms through which technological interventions may decrease loneliness. This study aimed to better understand the perspectives of older adults on the role of technology in their social relationships in later life. Four focus groups were conducted with 27 older adults, aged 65–80 years. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, and results were validated via written participant feedback. Participants reported technology as one of many tools used to maintain their social relationships. Their choice to use technology for social interaction was influenced by their estimation of effort required, likely quality of the interaction, and the privacy and security provided. These factors were the same as those that influenced decisions to use other methods (e.g. face-to-face meetings). Based on the results, we recommend that loneliness interventions should be technology-agnostic and multifaceted, providing a wide range of tools that recognise the technological competencies of older adults and supporting different interaction types to meet the preferences of the individual.
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Knight EL. Two Routes to Status, One Route to Health: Trait Dominance and Prestige Differentially Associate with Self-reported Stress and Health in Two US University Populations. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 8:461-488. [PMID: 36034092 PMCID: PMC9395955 DOI: 10.1007/s40750-022-00199-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective Social status has been extensively linked to stress and health outcomes. However, two routes by which status can be earned – dominance and prestige – may not uniformly relate to lower stress and better health because of inherent behavioral and stress-exposure differences in these two routes. Methods In one exploratory and two preregistered studies, participants (total N = 978) self-reported their trait dominance and prestige and self-reported several stress and health outcomes. Results The meta-effects evident across the three studies indicate that higher trait dominance was associated with worse outcomes – higher stress, poorer physical and mental health, poorer behavioral health, poorer life satisfaction, higher negative affect (range of absolute values of non-zero correlations, |r| = [0.074, 0.315], ps < 0.021) – and higher trait prestige was associated with better outcomes – lower stress, better physical and mental health, better behavioral health, better life satisfaction, higher positive and lower negative mood (|r| = [0.134, 0.478], ps < 0.001). These effects remained evident (with few exceptions) after controlling for socioeconomic status, other status-relevant traits, or self-enhancing motives; associations with behavior relevant to the COVID19 pandemic generally were not robust. Conclusions This work indicates that evolved traits related to the preferred route by which status is earned likely impact self-reported stress and health outcomes. Future research is necessary to examine physiological and other objective indicators of stress and health in more diverse populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40750-022-00199-3.
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Karhulahti VM, Nerg H, Laitinen T, Päivinen A, Chen Y. Eight Hypotheses on Technology Use and Psychosocial Wellbeing: A Bicultural Phenomenological Study of Gaming during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022:1-19. [PMID: 36035253 PMCID: PMC9393080 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In this nonconfirmatory qualitative study, we pursued a range of hypotheses regarding how gaming operates in the lives and psychosocial wellbeing of those who actively play videogames during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Informed by an explorative survey (N = 793), interpretive phenomenological analysis was applied to interview data from actively gaming Chinese (n = 10) and Finnish (n = 10) participants. Our findings demonstrate how the general increase of pandemic-time gaming did not manifest in all player groups, but in some life contexts gaming activity rather decreased along with reformations in subjective meaning hierarchies and values. Ultimately, eight subordinate themes were refined into testable hypotheses. The study encourages policies that promote socially supportive gaming during pandemic-like situations to consider including personally meaningful solitary play in their recommendations and highlighting context-specificity over generalization. Finally, as almost all our data points echoing experiences of decreasing gaming activity came from China, we stress the importance of culturally diverse samples in the psychological study of global phenomena. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03586-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veli-Matti Karhulahti
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Henri Nerg
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Tanja Laitinen
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Antti Päivinen
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Yingrong Chen
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Alvi T, Kumar D, Tabak BA. Social anxiety and behavioral assessments of social cognition: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2022; 311:17-30. [PMID: 35490878 PMCID: PMC9754122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety is highly prevalent and has increased in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since social anxiety negatively impacts interpersonal functioning, identifying aspects of social cognition that may be impaired can increase our understanding of the development and maintenance of social anxiety disorder. However, to date, studies examining associations between social anxiety and social cognition have resulted in mixed findings. METHODS The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the literature on the association between social anxiety and social cognition, while also considering several potential moderators and covariates that may influence findings. RESULTS A systematic search identified 52 studies. Results showed mixed evidence for the association between social anxiety and lower-level social cognitive processes (emotion recognition and affect sharing) and a trend for a negative association with higher-level social cognitive processes (theory of mind and empathic accuracy). Most studies examining valence-specific effects found a significant negative association for positive and neutral stimuli. LIMITATIONS Not all aspects of social cognition were included (e.g., attributional bias) and we focused on adults and not children, limiting the scope of the review. CONCLUSIONS Future studies would benefit from the inclusion of relevant moderators and covariates, multiple well-validated measures within the same domain of social cognition, and assessments of interpersonal functioning outside of the laboratory. Additional research examining the moderating role of attention or interpretation biases on social cognitive performance, and the potential benefit of social cognitive skills training for social anxiety, could inform and improve existing cognitive behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benjamin A. Tabak
- Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX 75206, USA
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Lapane KL, Dubé CE, Jesdale BM, Bova C. Social Connectedness among Long-Stay Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's and Dementia: Exploring Individual and Facility-Level Variation. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2022; 51:249-261. [PMID: 35785759 PMCID: PMC9501789 DOI: 10.1159/000525343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study sought to explore individual and facility-level variation in social connectedness among long-stay nursing home residents with Alzheimer's or other dementias (ADRD). METHODS We identified 721,074 long-stay residents with ADRD using 2016 Minimum Data Set 3.0 data. Social connectedness was defined using the social connectedness index (SCI) (high: SCI = 5, lower: 0 < SCI ≤ 4). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) provided estimates of the associations between resident-level and facility-level characteristics, and high SCI was derived from logistic models. RESULTS The SCI Cronbach's alpha was 0.69; 78.6% had high SCI scores. Men were less likely than women to have higher SCI scores (aOR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.97-0.98). Increasing age was associated with higher SCI scores (e.g., aOR [85-94 vs. 40-64 years]: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.06-1.07). Those with moderate cognitive impairment (aOR: 0.87) and severe cognitive impairment (aOR: 0.85) had reduced odds of SCI = 5 relative to those with mild/intact cognitive function. Residents living in homes with special care dementia units and with higher percentage of residents with dementia had decreased odds of high social connectedness. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Understanding resident- and nursing home-level variation in social connectedness may be important for targeting interventions that reduce isolation among residents with ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Lapane
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA,*Kate L. Lapane,
| | - Catherine E. Dubé
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bill M. Jesdale
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol Bova
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Stinson J, Wolfe R, Spaulding W. Social Connectedness in Schizotypy: The Role of Cognitive and Affective Empathy. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12080253. [PMID: 35892353 PMCID: PMC9394355 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Social connectedness is increasingly understood to be a resilience factor that moderates vulnerability to poor physical and mental health. This study examines cognitive and affective processes that support normal socialization and social connectedness, and the impact of schizotypy, in well-functioning college students. In this study, a total of 824 college students completed a series of self-report questionnaires, and structural equation modeling was then employed to identify relationships between cognitive and affective empathy, alexithymia, distress tolerance, social connectedness, and schizotypy. Schizotypy is a trait-like condition, presumed to be genetic in origin, associated with the risk for schizophrenia. Like schizophrenia, schizotypy is thought to have three distinct dimensions or categories, termed positive, negative, and disorganized. Results indicate that the respective dimensions of schizotypy have different pathways to social connectedness, through both direct and indirect effects. Positive schizotypy exerts a counterintuitive positive influence on social connectedness, mediated by positive effects on cognitive empathy, but this is obscured by the high correlations between the schizotypal dimensions and the strong negative influences on empathy and social connectedness of the negative and disorganized dimensions, unless all those intercorrelations are taken into account. Overall, the pathways identified by structural equation modeling strongly support the role of empathy in mediating the impact of schizotypy on social connectedness. Implications for the etiology of social impairments in schizotypy, and for interventions to enhance social connectedness to improve quality of life and reduce health disparities in people at risk for severe mental illness, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Stinson
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; (R.W.); (W.S.)
- South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Rebecca Wolfe
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; (R.W.); (W.S.)
| | - Will Spaulding
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; (R.W.); (W.S.)
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Golden TL. Innovating Health Research Methods, Part II: Arts-Based Methods Improve Research Data, Trauma-Responsiveness, and Reciprocity. FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH 2022; 45:150-159. [PMID: 35639790 DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating US studies indicate gender inequities in youth violence research and responses. Improving youth health thus requires greater understanding of how girls and young women perceive and experience violence, and gathering such data demands research methods that are trauma-informed and assets-based. This mixed-methods study addresses these dual needs. To support gender equity in youth violence research, it incorporated 4 violence surveys and 3 arts-based methods to examine girls' and young women's experiences and perceptions of violence. Then, to advance trauma-informed, assets-based research, it used study findings to generate an assessment of all methods employed. Results are presented in a 2-part article, with Part I (published separately) conveying findings about the population's experiences, needs, and assets related to violence and safety. Part II (here) details the development of the arts-based methods, assesses them alongside the surveys, and compares the effectiveness of all methods. Despite overlap across methods, the arts-based strategies offered critical knowledge that was missed by surveys, including actionable data about the population's priorities, experiences, and recommendations. The arts-based methods were also trauma-informed and offered reciprocity via assets-based, community-centered programs and platforms. This study provides justification and a template for further integration of creative practices into research, and for continued innovation to advance access, data quality, and health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasha L Golden
- International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; and Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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Hossain B, Nagargoje VP, Sk MIK, Das J. Social exclusion and mental health among older adults: cross-sectional evidence from a population-based survey in India. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:409. [PMID: 35717142 PMCID: PMC9206346 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04064-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social exclusion has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond regular activities and access to resources and knowledge; social exclusion is a major social determinant of health. However, there is a lack of evidence on social exclusion and health outcomes among India's older adults. Thus, the current study investigates the association of social exclusion with depressive symptoms among Indian older adults. METHODS This study used information on 30,366 older adults from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave-1, 2017-2018. Social exclusion scores were calculated, and two broad domains of social exclusion, i.e., exclusion from civic activity & social relations and exclusion from services, were considered in the study. The depressive symptom was calculated using the CES-D score. Using logistic regression models, the average marginal effects of selected covariates and domains of social exclusion on depressive symptoms were estimated to assess the links between social exclusion and depressive symptoms. RESULTS With the increase in the social exclusion score in the selected domains, the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older also increased. Elderly persons who do not vote or live alone in the domain of being excluded from civic & social activities and older adults excluded from services were observed to have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. Adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the average marginal effects suggested that older with four scores of civic activity & social relation exclusion, two scores of service exclusion and four scores of overall social exclusion were estimated to have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings shed light on social exclusion and its relationship to depressive symptoms among older Indians. Older health care services should be expanded in breadth while also addressing social exclusion, resulting in considerable improvements in older individuals' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babul Hossain
- International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088, India.
| | - Varsha P. Nagargoje
- grid.419349.20000 0001 0613 2600International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088 India
| | - Md Illias Kanchan Sk
- grid.419349.20000 0001 0613 2600International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088 India
| | - Jyoti Das
- grid.419349.20000 0001 0613 2600International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088 India
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Itskovich E, Bowling DL, Garner JP, Parker KJ. Oxytocin and the social facilitation of placebo effects. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2640-2649. [PMID: 35338314 PMCID: PMC9167259 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01515-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Significant clinical improvement is often observed in patients who receive placebo treatment in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. While a proportion of this "improvement" reflects experimental design limitations (e.g., reliance on subjective outcomes, unbalanced groups, reporting biases), some of it reflects genuine improvement corroborated by physiological change. Converging evidence across diverse medical conditions suggests that clinically-relevant benefits from placebo treatment are associated with the activation of brain reward circuits. In parallel, evidence has accumulated showing that such benefits are facilitated by clinicians that demonstrate warmth and proficiency during interactions with patients. Here, we integrate research on these neural and social aspects of placebo effects with evidence linking oxytocin and social reward to advance a neurobiological account for the social facilitation of placebo effects. This account frames oxytocin as a key mediator of treatment success across a wide-spectrum of interventions that increase social connectedness, thereby providing a biological basis for assessing this fundamental non-specific element of medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Itskovich
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Daniel L. Bowling
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joseph P. Garner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Karen J. Parker
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305.,Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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Kotwal AA, Meier DE. A paradigm shift-Loneliness as a root cause of symptom distress among older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:2201-2204. [PMID: 35607720 PMCID: PMC9378438 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin A Kotwal
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Diane E Meier
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Lyubomirsky S. Toward a New Science of Psychedelic Social Psychology: The Effects of MDMA (Ecstasy) on Social Connection. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2022; 17:1234-1257. [PMID: 35536567 DOI: 10.1177/17456916211055369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Psychedelic science has generated hundreds of compelling published studies yet with relatively little impact on mainstream psychology. I propose that social psychologists have much to gain by incorporating psychoactive substances into their research programs. Here I use (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as an example because of its documented ability in experiments and clinical trials to promote bonding, love, and warmth. Social connection is a fundamental human need, yet researchers still possess few tools to effectively and durably boost it. MDMA allows investigators to isolate the psychological mechanisms-as well as brain pathways-underlying felt social connection and thus reveal what should be targeted in future (nondrug) studies. Accordingly, I introduce a conceptual model that presents the proximal psychological mechanisms stimulated by MDMA (lowered fear, increased sociability, more chemistry), as well as its potential long-term impacts (improved relationships, reduced loneliness, stronger therapeutic alliances). Finally, I discuss further questions (e.g., whether using MDMA for enhancing connection can backfire) and promising research areas for building a new science of psychedelic social psychology. In sum, psychopharmacological methods can be a useful approach to illuminate commonly studied social-psychological processes, such as connectedness, prejudice, or self, as well as inform interventions to directly improve people's lives.
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