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Wendt C. [Strategies against loneliness-examples from an international comparative perspective]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2024; 67:1172-1179. [PMID: 39207500 PMCID: PMC11424651 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-024-03945-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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The extent of loneliness differs internationally. Especially in the developed welfare states of Northern Europe, loneliness levels in the population are comparatively low. However, the increase in loneliness in many countries shows that existing concepts are not sufficient to provide effective protection against loneliness. Younger people also need to be strengthened so that they do not withdraw when they experience social exclusion and loneliness. This requires qualified specialists in kindergartens, schools, sports clubs, and other leisure facilities who help children and young people to establish social contacts. Friendship and neighborhood models have proven to be successful when it comes to strategies to combat loneliness. Greater identification with the neighborhood and a feeling of security help build social networks and reduce loneliness. For older people it is important to be able to stay in their usual social environment and maintain their social contacts. To this end, accessible public spaces must be combined with home care and support services that are tailored to the needs and wishes of older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Wendt
- Lehrstuhl für Soziologie der Gesundheit und des Gesundheitssystems, Universität Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57068, Siegen, Deutschland.
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Gheorghe AC, Bălășescu E, Hulea I, Turcu G, Amariei MI, Covaciu AV, Apostol CA, Asan M, Badea AC, Angelușiu AC, Mihailescu-Marin MM, Ion DA, Nedelcu RI. Frailty and Loneliness in Older Adults: A Narrative Review. Geriatrics (Basel) 2024; 9:119. [PMID: 39311244 PMCID: PMC11417754 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9050119] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In a society with an advancing aging rate, medical systems are coming under pressure due to an increasing flow of older patients with multiple somatic diseases, exacerbated by their psychological and sociological backgrounds. We aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and loneliness in older adults and to provide a holistic perspective on these concepts. Our research question was "Is there a link between the loneliness and frailty in older people?" (2) Methods: To assess the link between loneliness and frailty, we conducted a search accessing Index Medicus and PubMed; the timeframe of our research was from 2013 until 2023. Data regarding the study population, as well as loneliness and frailty assessments and approaches, were extracted. (3) Results: A positive relationship between loneliness and the appearance and progression of frailty in older adults is argued for. (4) Conclusions: Frailty and loneliness in older adults are often interconnected and can have a significant impact on their overall well-being. Early identification of frailty by assessing risk factors (including loneliness and/or social isolation) should become a standard of care for older patients. Appropriate combined interventions that effectively address both frailty and loneliness (physical exercises, psychological support, and social engagement) can promote healthier aging, prevent health deterioration, maintain independence, and reduce healthcare costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea-Cristina Gheorghe
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias University Hospital, 11461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Bălășescu
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ionela Hulea
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriela Turcu
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Iustin Amariei
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alin-Victor Covaciu
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cătălina-Andreea Apostol
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Melisa Asan
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andrei-Cosmin Badea
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana-Cristina Angelușiu
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Daniela Adriana Ion
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Roxana Ioana Nedelcu
- Pathophysiology II Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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Zhu C, Walsh CA, Zhou L, Zhang X. The impact of unmet community service demand on the loneliness of older adults: based on CLHLS (2008-2018). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-024-02760-9. [PMID: 39230736 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-024-02760-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the impact of unmet community service demands on loneliness among older adults. METHODS Based on the longitudinal tracking data of CLHLS (2008-2018), latent growth curve model (LGCM) was used to describe the trajectory of loneliness among older adults. Panel regression was used to analyze the impact of unmet community service demands on loneliness, and latent classification analysis (LCA) was used to classify the older adults and analyze the differences in loneliness among different types of older adults. RESULTS A total of 1445 older people participated in all four surveys, and 22.4% of them reported feeling lonely. From 2008 to 2018, there was a significant non-linear increase in loneliness, with average values of 1.77, 1.81, 1.83, and 1.96, respectively. The level of community service supply (1.31) was far from meeting the demand level (5.11). Unmet community service demands were associated with a higher prevalence of loneliness (β = 0.012, P = 0.003, 95% CI = [0.004, 0.020]). In addition, according to the demand difference for community services, older adults were classified into the comprehensive demand type (Type I) and the medical demand type (Type II). The loneliness of Type I older adults was significantly higher than that of Type II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS With the passage of time, loneliness of older adults is showing an accelerating upward trend. Unmet community services can lead to enhanced loneliness among older adults, and the higher the demand for community services, the stronger the loneliness. The government should increase the supply of community services to meet the basic and socio-emotional needs of the older adults to reduce loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Change Zhu
- School of Health Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Christine A Walsh
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lulin Zhou
- Department of Management, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
| | - Xinjie Zhang
- Department of Management, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
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Castro Martínez E, Hernández Encuentra E, Pousada Fernández M. Voice assistants' influence on loneliness in older adults: a systematic review. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39222000 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2397030] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Purpose: This review aims to examine how the use of voice assistants influences loneliness in older adults. Materials and methods: This study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases such as CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar, and IEEE Xplore were used. We implemented search strategies in English to locate studies published between January 2010 and January 2023, including those examining the impact of voice assistant usage on loneliness in older adults. Descriptive information was examined, assessing its quality with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: A total of 499 studies were yielded from the initial search, with 13 included in the final analysis. Positive outcomes in reducing loneliness were reported in 84.6% of these studies. There was a prevalence of quasi-experimental studies, alongside heterogeneous measurement instruments, scarce use of standardized tests, and small samples predominantly consisting of women. Commercial voice assistants were the most commonly utilized. Conclusions: Voice assistants show potential in mitigating feelings of loneliness in older adults. Adequate training and adaptation to specific needs seem essential to maximize their effectiveness. In particular, voice assistants available in the consumer market hold significant potential in this area. Further research is necessary to comprehend their impact, encompassing potential risks and ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Castro Martínez
- Researcher in Health Psychology and Technology, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
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Mitani S, Ogawara H, Haruta J, Sakakibara T, Fukahori H. Characteristics of the studies using realist evaluation to assess interventions that address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078256. [PMID: 39214655 PMCID: PMC11367357 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078256] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interventions to address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults are increasing. Realist evaluation (RE) helps us understand how these interventions work for their issues. It is significant to obtain implications for further developing such research. We aimed to identify the characteristics of studies using RE to assess interventions that address psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults by mapping relevant literature. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ICHUSHI (a Japanese database) and Google Scholar were used for searches between 5 January 2022 and 4 January 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (1) Showing that most of the participants were older adults or their stakeholders; (2) stating in the research background or aim sections that the target interventions aimed at addressing older adults' psychosocial healthcare issues and (3) using RE to assess these interventions. DATA EXTRACTION Data on country of origin, type of research, study design, qualitative data collection and analysis methods, desirable items for RE and intervention aims and purposes were extracted and summarised using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Fifty-four studies were analysed. Most studies were conducted in the UK (54.5%). Mixed methods were used in 28 studies (51.9%), while only qualitative methods were used in 25 studies (46.2 %). Fourteen intervention aims and purposes were identified: improving dementia care, avoiding emergency admissions, preventing social isolation and promoting family involvement in the care of older adults. CONCLUSION RE is useful for promoting an understanding of how interventions work for addressing psychosocial healthcare issues in older adults. RE also promotes the updating of plausible theories that lead to improving interventions. Our findings show the implications of managing time and resources to address the challenge of RE's time and resource intensiveness and carefully considering the data collection methods to reduce burdens on older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Mitani
- Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ogawara
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Human Sciences, Sophia University, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Junji Haruta
- Medical Education Center/Center for General Medicine Education, Keio University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sakakibara
- Department of Philosophy, Tokyo Woman's Christian University School of Arts and Sciences, Suginami-ku, Japan
| | - Hiroki Fukahori
- Faculty of Nusing and Medical Care, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan
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Zhang H, Zhu J, Niu L, Zeng M, Chen T, Chen Y, Hou X, Tao H, Ma Y, Lin K, Zhou L. Suicide warning signs of self-identification in patients with mood disorders: a qualitative analysis based on safety planning. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1417817. [PMID: 39234075 PMCID: PMC11372480 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1417817] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Warning signs serve as proximal indicators of suicide risk, making early recognition imperative for effective prevention strategies. This study aimed to explore self-identified suicide warning signs among Chinese patients with mood disorders based on safety planning framework. Methods Researchers collaborated with patients to develop a safety plan and compiled warning signs based on it. Word frequency and network analysis were conducted to identify key warning signs. Directed content analysis categorized these signs into cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or physiological themes according to the suicide mode theory. Additionally, we examined potential variations in reported warning signs among participants with different demographic characteristics, including age, gender, and history of suicide attempts. Results "Low mood" and "crying" emerged as prominent warning signs, with "social withdrawal" closely following. Patients commonly reported emotional themes during suicidal crises, often experiencing two to three themes simultaneously, primarily focusing on emotional, behavioral, and physiological themes. Males exhibited a higher proportion of concurrently reporting three sign themes compared to females (P < 0.05), while no difference was observed in warning signs among patients with other demographic traits. Discussion This study offers a nuanced understanding of warning signs among mood disorder patients in China. The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive suicide risk management strategies, emphasizing interventions targeting emotional regulation and social support. These insights provide valuable information for enhancing suicide prevention and intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghui Zhang
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Niu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Zeng
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tengwei Chen
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuedong Chen
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaofei Hou
- Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haojuan Tao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yarong Ma
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangguang Lin
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Health and Life Sciences University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Khaing K, Dolja-Gore X, Nair BR, Byles J, Attia J. The Effect of Temporal Persistence of Loneliness on Dementia: A Longitudinal Analysis From the Hunter Community Study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 39:e6132. [PMID: 39126392 DOI: 10.1002/gps.6132] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness is common and becoming a public health concern. Although there is the clear evidence of the variable effect of temporal differences in loneliness (transient/situational and persistent/chronic) on health, their effect on dementia risk is unclear. This study aims to assess the effect of transient/situational and persistent/chronic loneliness on dementia risk. METHOD Participants aged 55 years and older from the Hunter Community Study were recruited. Loneliness was measured using a single item measure. Dementia was defined as per International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD 10) codes. The Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model was performed to calculate dementia risk. RESULTS Of 1968 total participants with mean age of 66 years, (3%) 57 developed dementia and (7%) 135 died over the mean follow up of 10 years. Both persistent/chronic and transient/situational loneliness significantly increased the risk of all cause dementia in adjusted models (HR 2.74, 95% CI 1.11-6.88, p 0.03 and HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.21-4.55, p 0.01 respectively) with mean time to event of 9.7 years. Feeling lonely below the age of 70 years elevated the risk of dementia in later life (HR 4.01, 95% CI 1.40-11.50, p 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Loneliness (both persistent/chronic and transient/situational) was associated with increased risk of all cause dementia, especially if loneliness was experienced before the age of 70 years. These results suggest that promoting coping strategies for loneliness especially in persons 70 years and younger may play a role in preventing dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Khaing
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Xenia Dolja-Gore
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Balakrishnan R Nair
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Julie Byles
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - John Attia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Zhou W, McLellan R. The effectiveness of taught, self-help mindfulness-based interventions on Chinese adolescents' well-being, mental health, prosocial and difficult behavior, and coping strategy. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024; 16:1024-1045. [PMID: 38097194 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12517] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite China's enduring historical connection with mindfulness and the growing recognition of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in Western education, mindfulness remains relatively underexplored in the Chinese education system. This study addresses the scarcity of resources and certified instructors in China by assessing the effectiveness of MBIs in both taught and self-help forms in improving well-being and prosocial behavior and regulating negative emotions and behaviors among Chinese adolescents. The analysis included 362 Chinese students (mean age = 13.03, SD = 0.50, 47.5% girls) from 12 classes, assigned to the taught MBI group (N = 129, post), self-help MBI group (N = 116, post), or control group (N = 117, post). Paired-sample t-tests and multi-level modeling were used, accounting for data nesting and incorporating gender, whether students live in school, and age as covariates. Results revealed a significantly greater improvement in well-being in the taught group compared with the control, with both MBI groups demonstrating increased prosocial behavior. While the taught group showed a significant decrease in loneliness, it was accompanied by an increase in internalizing problems. Coping strategies varied across the groups, with no significant changes in depression, anxiety, and stress levels. These findings imply the potential value of integrating MBIs into the Chinese educational system, especially given the self-help approach's favorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Zhou
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ros McLellan
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Witzel DD, Van Bogart K, Harrington EE, Turner SG, Almeida DM. Loneliness dynamics and physical health symptomology among midlife adults in daily life. Health Psychol 2024; 43:528-538. [PMID: 38602830 PMCID: PMC11343044 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001377] [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: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study examined how average daily loneliness (between-persons [BPs]), intraindividual variability in loneliness across days (within-persons [WPs]), and loneliness stability informed physical health symptomatology. METHOD We utilized daily diary data from a national sample of 1,538 middle-aged adults (Mage = 51.02; 57.61% women) who completed eight end-of-day telephone interviews about daily experiences, including loneliness and physical health symptoms (e.g., headaches, nausea). Via multilevel modeling, we examined average daily loneliness (BPs), intraindividual variability in loneliness (WPs), stability in loneliness (individual mean-squared successive difference) in association with the number and average severity of daily physical health symptoms. RESULTS When participants were less lonely on average, and on days when loneliness was lower than a person's average, they had fewer and less severe physical health symptoms. Additionally, participants who were more stable in loneliness across 8 days had less severe physical health symptoms. Further, there was a stronger association between instability in loneliness and more physical health symptoms for people who were lonelier on average. Finally, the increase in physical health symptom severity associated with WP loneliness was strongest for participants with low variability in loneliness. CONCLUSION Loneliness is associated with physical health symptoms on a day-to-day basis, especially for people who are highly variable in loneliness. Considerations of multiple sources of variation in daily loneliness may be necessary to adequately address loneliness and promote health. Public health interventions addressing loneliness may be most effective if they support social connectedness in people's everyday lives in ways that promote stable, low levels of loneliness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota D. Witzel
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Karina Van Bogart
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Erin E. Harrington
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Shelbie G. Turner
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York, United States
| | - David M. Almeida
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University
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Marffy MJ, Fox J, Williams M. An exploration of the relationship between loneliness, the severity of eating disorder-related symptoms and the experience of the 'anorexic voice'. Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:122-137. [PMID: 37792343 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12502] [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: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many individuals with eating disorders (EDs) report the experience of an 'Anorexic voice' (AV). Negative experiences of loneliness are also often associated with EDs. This study sought to explore the relationship between experiences of loneliness, the frequency of the AV and the impact of this on ED symptom severity. DESIGN 165 individuals (mean age 27.54 years) who accessed online forums relating to EDs participated in this study. The sample included individuals who have experienced an AV [AV group (N = 141)] and those who have not [non-AV group (N = 23)]. METHODS The study utilised self-report measures via an online questionnaire to explore the predictive validity of loneliness and frequency of the AV on ED symptom severity. RESULTS Confirmatory analysis (AV group only) demonstrated the significance of the independent variables individually predicting ED symptom severity. However, a significant interaction was not found between the two primary variables in predicting ED symptom severity, more significantly than the influence of either variable alone. Exploratory analysis considered the differences between the two groups (AV and Non-AV), as well as considering alternate predictors. CONCLUSIONS The findings offer insight into possible drivers behind engagement with the AV, as part of ED presentations in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Fox
- DClinPsy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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11
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Deng R, Yan S, Zhang L, Hou Y, Wang H, Zhang W, Yao J. How is intergenerational emotional cohesion linked to depression among older internal migrants in China: the mediating roles of loneliness and perceived stress. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:92. [PMID: 38395928 PMCID: PMC10893609 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01579-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-life internal migration is frequently associated with a higher risk of depression in older parents. This research delves into the impact of intergenerational emotional cohesion (IEC) on depression in older internal migrants and the underlying mechanisms within the contemporary Chinese context. METHODS Obtained from a cross-sectional survey in Nanjing, China, the research involved 654 older internal migrants (66.97% female; mean age = 66.05 years; SD = 4.67). Variables were assessed using the Intergenerational Solidarity Inventory, 3-item R-UCLA Loneliness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). For mediation exploration, a serial mediation model was utilized, and the Bootstrap method was employed to test the signifcance of these mediation effects. RESULTS IEC demonstrates a negative correlation with depression. Through IEC, three significant mediation pathways were identified that directly affect depression: (1) loneliness (β=-0.06; Ratio=17.14%), (2) perceived stress (β=-0.09; Ratio=25.71%), and (3) loneliness and perceived stress (β=-0.03; Ratio=8.57%). CONCLUSIONS IEC can impact the depression of older internal migrants by mitigating negative psychological emotions during the migration process. This finding provides valuable theoretical insights for the prevention of mental health problems among this demographic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyue Deng
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiyuan Yan
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanjie Hou
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Yao
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Institute of Healthy Jiangsu Development, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Adepoju OE, Ojinnaka CO, Pieratt J, Dobbins J. Racial and ethnic differences in predictors of participation in an intergenerational social connectedness intervention for older adults. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:70. [PMID: 38233782 PMCID: PMC10795227 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04679-x] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social connectedness is a key determinant of health and interventions have been developed to prevent social isolation in older adults. However, these interventions have historically had a low participation rate amongst minority populations. Given the sustained isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important to understand what factors are associated with an individual's decision to participate in a social intervention. To achieve this, we used machine learning techniques to model the racial and ethnic differences in participation in social connectedness interventions. METHODS Data were obtained from a social connectedness intervention that paired college students with Houston-area community-dwelling older adults (> 65 yo) enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Eligible participants were contacted telephonically and asked to complete the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. We used the following machine-learning methods to identify significant predictors of participation in the program: k-nearest neighbors, logistic regression, decision tree, gradient-boosted decision tree, and random forest. RESULTS The gradient-boosted decision tree models yielded the best parameters for all race/ethnicity groups (96.1% test accuracy, 0.739 AUROC). Among non-Hispanic White older adults, key features of the predictive model included Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI) score, Medicare prescription risk score, Medicare risk score, and depression and anxiety indicators within the FCI. Among non-Hispanic Black older adults, key features included disability, Medicare prescription risk score, FCI and Medicare risk scores. Among Hispanic older adults, key features included depression, FCI and Medicare risk scores. CONCLUSIONS These findings offer a substantial opportunity for the design of interventions that maximize engagement among minority groups at greater risk for adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omolola E Adepoju
- Humana Integrated Health Systems Sciences Institute, University of Houston, Houston, USA.
- Tilman J Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Department of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, USA.
| | | | | | - Jessica Dobbins
- Tilman J Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Department of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, USA
- Humana Inc, Louisville, USA
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Kuczmarski MF, Orsega-Smith E, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. The Association of Loneliness with Diabetes Is Mediated by Physical Activity and BMI but Not Diet Quality. Nutrients 2023; 15:4923. [PMID: 38068781 PMCID: PMC10708230 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is considered a predictor of poor health through numerous pathways. Mediators of this association has not been extensively explored. The study objective was to determine if diet quality and physical activity are parallel mediators with body mass index (BMI) as the third mediator in the association of loneliness with diabetes. The sample, middle-aged and older African American and White adults, 36-77 years, participated in the second follow-up wave of the prospective Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, 2013-2017. Loneliness was measured by the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale. Participants were categorized as not diabetic, pre-diabetic, or diabetic based on fasting blood glucose, self-reports, or taking medication for diabetes. The Mean Healthy Eating Index-2010 score was calculated from two 24 h dietary recalls collected using the USDA automated multiple pass method. Physical activity was derived from the Baecke questionnaire. The Hayes PROCESS macro, model #80, was used to perform the mediational analysis. Covariates were age, sex at birth, race, income, alcohol intake, and education. Loneliness was inversely and significantly associated with diet quality and physical activity. The only significant indirect path was loneliness > physical activity > BMI > diabetes. Better understanding of modifiable lifestyle behaviors when developing interventions may improve mental health, thereby improving health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Fanelli Kuczmarski
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.K.E.)
| | - Elizabeth Orsega-Smith
- Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA;
| | - Michele K. Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.K.E.)
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.K.E.)
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14
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Kobos E, Rojkowska S, Szewczyk A, Dziedzic B. Burden of care and a sense of loneliness in caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes. a cross-sectional study. Biopsychosoc Med 2023; 17:34. [PMID: 37803450 PMCID: PMC10559508 DOI: 10.1186/s13030-023-00291-4] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of type 1 diabetes is a process involving not only sick children, but also their caregivers. AIM To assess the burden of care and sense of loneliness in caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes. Also, an analysis was conducted of the connection between sociodemographic factors characterizing caregivers and the clinical factors characterizing sick children and between the burden of care and the sense of loneliness. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 125 caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes. In order to collect the research data, the Caregiver Burden Scale and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale were used. RESULTS In the research group, the total result in the caregiving burden scale was 2.14, which remains within the average burden level. Caregivers showed the highest burden level in the General Strain Subscale. The analysis showed that mothers experience a greater burden of care than fathers in the General Strain Subscale and that caregivers of younger children are more burdened with care within the Isolation and Disappointment Subscales. Moderate high degree of loneliness was shown in 4.8% of caregivers. A higher burden of care for caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes is accompanied by a higher sense of loneliness. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study may help healthcare professionals plan a holistic, family-centered care program that will take into account factors that increase the burden of care: younger age of the affected child, motherhood, caregiver unemployment, feelings of loneliness, lower education, caregiver unemployment, blood glucose meter measurements, and frequent night-time blood glucose measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kobos
- Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Polish Federation for Diabetes Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Alicja Szewczyk
- Polish Federation for Diabetes Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Dziedzic
- Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Zhang J, Sun X, Yao A. Use of home and community-based services and loneliness in older people with functional limitations: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:717. [PMID: 37794343 PMCID: PMC10548717 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05225-6] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is one of the major health problems among older adults. Among this population, home and community-based services (HCBS) have become increasingly popular. Despite its health benefits, little is known about the relationship between HCBS use and loneliness in older people with functional limitations. We aim to explore the characteristics of loneliness among older people with functional limitations and examine the association between HCBS use and loneliness in China. METHODS We used a cross-sectional data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, which includes a nationally representative sample of Chinese residents aged 65 and older with functional limitations. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between HCBS use and loneliness, and we further used propensity score matching to address potential sample selection bias. RESULT In China, 46% of older people with functional limitations felt lonely and only 22% of older people with functional limitations reported using HCBS in 2018. Compared with participants who did not receive HCBS, those who received HCBS were less likely to report loneliness (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.63, 0.99, p = 0.048), and the results remained significant after addressing sample selection bias using propensity score matching. CONCLUSION Our results showed that loneliness was common among Chinese older people with functional limitations, and the proportion of HCBS use was low. There was robust evidence to support that among older people with functional limitations, HCBS use was associated with decreased loneliness. Further policies should promote the development of broader HCBS use for older people with functional limitations to reduce their loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Zhang
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Rd, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xiaojie Sun
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Rd, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Aaron Yao
- Home Centered Care Institute, Schaumburg, IL, USA
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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16
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Hendrick L, Opdenakker MC, Van der Vaart W. Students' academic engagement during COVID-19 times: a mixed-methods study into relatedness and loneliness during the pandemic. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1221003. [PMID: 37744611 PMCID: PMC10514504 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221003] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak forced higher education students to study online-only. Previous research indicates that forced solitude or loneliness can cause a variety of problems for students, among which is reduced academic engagement. The Basic Psychological Needs Theory, a sub-theory of Self-Determination Theory, relates academic engagement to three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness), whereas varying theories on loneliness highlight the complexities of engaging in a learning environment whilst feeling lonely. As university staff members have been struggling to keep students on task since the COVID-19 outbreak, the need arose for more knowledge about to what extent students have felt lonely, frustrated or satisfied in their need for relatedness and to what extent this affected their academic engagement. A convergent Mixed Methods research study was conducted among university students (N = 228) and an online questionnaire was administered to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A series of multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed, considering demographic characteristics, to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data was coded using a hybrid approach of deductive and inductive coding. Themes were generated that depicted in-depth issues of relatedness, loneliness, and academic engagement. Quantitative analysis demonstrated the importance for academic engagement of both (a) 'basic need satisfaction and frustration' of relatedness in life and in 'social study context', and (b) feeling (emotionally) lonely. The negative impact of frustration of relatedness seemed to be dominant but also overlapped with the effects of loneliness. The qualitative outcomes support and complement these quantitative results. The results showed that students' academic engagement suffered from the loss of a shared physical space and from uncertainty about university policies. For a minority of students, however, the relief from social obligations that came along with social distancing was a blessing in disguise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-Christine Opdenakker
- Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Chair Group Education, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, Netherlands
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17
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Gu J, Wu P, Luo Y, He X, Fu L, Liu H, Lin F, Xu Q, Wu X. Internet addiction, loneliness, and academic burnout among Chinese college students: a mediation model. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1176596. [PMID: 37663601 PMCID: PMC10469855 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1176596] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The dynamics of education and student life have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our society, especially the education system, has become largely dependent on the Internet. This paradigm shifts largely took place in the last few decades. As such, there are various ways in which we cannot comprehend the impact that the Internet can have on student psychology, and how multiple other factors could influence that. Internet addiction and its relationship with academic burnout, along with the impact of loneliness, are all essential factors that must be discussed candidly in the post-COVID-19 era. Hence, the objective of this study was, therefore, to explore the relationship between Internet addiction, loneliness, and academic burnout among Chinese college students as well as the mediating role of loneliness. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey at a Chinese university from October to November 2022. In total, 810 valid respondents were selected via random cluster sampling using the well-established Internet Addiction, Loneliness, and Academic Burnout Scale. The primary approach of mediation analysis and structural equation modeling testing examined the relationships among the three components. Results Internet addiction could be responsible for academic burnout among college students. Loneliness partially mediates the relationship between Internet addiction and academic burnout. In a mediated way, different types of loneliness contribute to different types of academic burnout. Conclusion Psychological interventions for loneliness, especially emotional loneliness prevention, are the critical aspects of the problem of Internet addiction accompanied with academic burnout. The causal relationship between Internet addiction and academic burnout, possibly of a two-way nature, needs to be further explored in the next future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwang Gu
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
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18
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Wootton AR, Soled KRS, Puckett JA, Garrett-Walker JJ, Hill AP, Delucio K, Veldhuis CB. Community (dis)connectedness and identity among LGBTQIA+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative cross-sectional and longitudinal trajectory study. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2023; 15:170-192. [PMID: 38800743 PMCID: PMC11114605 DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2023.2241868] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated shelter-in-place ordinances passed in the first year of the pandemic rapidly limited access to in-person social interactions, raising concerns of diminishing social support and community cohesion while psychological stressors increased. For LGBTQIA+ people, connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community is known to buffer against the harmful effects of stressors and decrease risks for poor psychological and behavioral health outcomes. The current study uses qualitative cross-sectional and trajectory analysis methods to characterize how LGBTQIA+ people's perceptions of community connectedness shifted during the first year of the pandemic. A convenience sample of LGBTQIA+-identified people in the U.S. completed an initial online survey in September 2020 (n = 298 and a follow-up survey in September 2021 (n = 129). The survey included changes in connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community since the pandemic's beginning. Thus, we used both cross-sectional (between-person analyses) and longitudinal trajectory (within-person analyses) qualitative approaches to understanding changes in LGBTQIA+ people's sense of connection to the LGBTQIA+ community across the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight cross-cutting themes (related to identity shifts/exploration, disconnection, online connections, and increased awareness of social justice issues) were identified and then organized within each level of the Social-Ecological Model of LGBTQIA+ wellbeing (i.e., the individual-, couple-, interpersonal-, organizational-, community-, and chronosystem- level). Given the importance of social support for LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, more longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these changes persist after the resolution of the acute phase of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie R Wootton
- School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kodiak R S Soled
- Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jae A Puckett
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - J J Garrett-Walker
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aaron Perry Hill
- School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kevin Delucio
- Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
| | - Cindy B Veldhuis
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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19
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Radin AK, Shaw J, Brown SP, Flint H, Fouts T, McCue E, Skeie A, Peña C, Youell J, Ratzliff A, Powers DM, Biss M, Lemon H, Sandoval D, Hartmann J, Hammar E, Doty-Jones A, Wilson J, Austin G, Chan KCG, Zheng Z, Fruhbauerova M, Ross M, Stright M, Pullen S, Edwards C, Walton M, Kerbrat A, Comtois KA. Comparative effectiveness of safety planning intervention with instrumental support calls (ISC) versus safety planning intervention with two-way text message caring contacts (CC) in adolescents and adults screening positive for suicide risk in emergency departments and primary care clinics: Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 131:107268. [PMID: 37321352 PMCID: PMC10530453 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107268] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents and adults in the US. Follow-up support delivered when patients return home after an emergency department (ED) or primary care encounter can significantly reduce suicidal ideation and attempts. Two follow-up models to augment usual care including the Safety Planning Intervention have high efficacy: Instrumental Support Calls (ISC) and Caring Contacts (CC) two-way text messages, but they have never been compared to assess which works best. This protocol for the Suicide Prevention Among Recipients of Care (SPARC) Trial aims to determine which model is most effective for adolescents and adults with suicide risk. METHODS The SPARC Trial is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of ISC versus CC. The sample includes 720 adolescents (12-17 years) and 790 adults (18+ years) who screen positive for suicide risk during an ED or primary care encounter. All participants receive usual care and are randomized 1:1 to ISC or CC. The state suicide hotline delivers both follow-up interventions. The trial is single-masked, with participants unaware of the alternative treatment, and is stratified by adolescents/adults. The primary outcome is suicidal ideation and behavior, measured using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) screener at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include C-SSRS at 12 months, and loneliness, return to crisis care for suicidality, and utilization of outpatient mental health services at 6 and 12 months. DISCUSSION Directly comparing ISC and CC will determine which follow-up intervention is most effective for suicide prevention in adolescents and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Radin
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States.
| | - Jenny Shaw
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Siobhan P Brown
- University of Washington, Department of Biostatistics, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hilary Flint
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Tara Fouts
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Elizabeth McCue
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Anton Skeie
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Cecelia Peña
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Jonathan Youell
- St. Luke's Health System, Applied Research Division, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Anna Ratzliff
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Diane M Powers
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew Biss
- Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Boise, ID, United States; SPARC Lived Experience Advisory Board, ID, United States
| | - Hannah Lemon
- Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Boise, ID, United States
| | | | | | | | - Amelia Doty-Jones
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Jacob Wilson
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States; Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization, Inc., McCall, ID, United States
| | - George Austin
- Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Kwun C G Chan
- University of Washington, Department of Biostatistics, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Zihan Zheng
- University of Washington, Department of Biostatistics, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Martina Fruhbauerova
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Michelle Ross
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Megan Stright
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Samuel Pullen
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States; Novant Health, Psychiatry and Mental Health Institute, Winston-Salem, NC, United States; Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christopher Edwards
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States; National Staffing Solutions (Contracted Provider for Optum Serve), Twin Falls, ID, United States
| | - Michael Walton
- St. Luke's Health System, Behavioral Health Service Line, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Amanda Kerbrat
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Katherine Anne Comtois
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,, Seattle, WA, United States
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Kumar S, Kumar R, Dixit V, Chaudhury S. Motivation for solitude, COVID-19-related anxiety and resilience among Indian medical students. Ind Psychiatry J 2023; 32:423-430. [PMID: 38161472 PMCID: PMC10756591 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_98_22] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 07/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent reports indicate that self-isolation because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns had significant influence on mental health of medical students. Aim To understand the relationship between two different motivations for solitude - self-determined versus non-self-determined with medical students' COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological resilience during their self-isolation because of COVID-19-related lockdowns. Materials and Methods After the approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee, this online survey was done on undergraduate Indian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expressing consent at the beginning of the online form, enabled the students to proceed to the next section comprising their sociodemographic details and clinical details. The last section of the form comprised the Motivation for Solitude Scale-Short Form, the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-Abbreviated. Results 282 out of 286 students of either sex gave their consent and completed the given form. Both self-determined and non-self-determined motivations for solitude were higher in female medical students. The self-determined motivation for solitude was directly related to all students' resilience. A past history of psychiatric illness was directly associated with the non-self-determined motivation for solitude of the students. The non-self-directed motivation for solitude of female students was indirectly related to their resilience. The COVID-19-related anxiety was not related to either type of motivation for solitude as well as the resilience of the medical students. Conclusion Indian female medical students are more motivated for solitude, be it self-determined or non-self-determined, than their male counterparts. The student's resilience has a direct relationship with students' self-determined motivation. The COVID-19-related anxiety among the medical students is not related to their motivations for solitude or resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Vidhata Dixit
- Department of Psychology, J D Womens College, Patna, India
| | - Suprakash Chaudhury
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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21
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Prell T, Schönenberg A, Heimrich KG. The impact of loneliness on quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease: results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1183289. [PMID: 37425329 PMCID: PMC10326722 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1183289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Loneliness is a growing issue for public health in an aging society. However, there is a lack of research on loneliness in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Methods We analyzed cross-sectional and longitudinal data from wave 5 (N = 559 PwPD) and 6 (N = 442 PwPD) from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Loneliness was assessed using the three-item version of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, multiple linear regressions, and generalized estimating equation analysis were performed to explore loneliness prevalence, its relationship with other factors, and its impact on Quality of Life (QoL) in PwPD. Results Depending on the used cut-off, the prevalence of loneliness in PwPD ranged from 24.1 to 53.8%. These prevalences were higher compared to people without PD. Loneliness was mainly linked to decreased functional abilities, weaker grip strength, more symptoms of depression, and country of residence. Loneliness was also associated with current QoL and predicts future QoL in PwPD, highlighting its impact on well-being. Conclusion Addressing loneliness could potentially improve QoL for PwPD, making it a modifiable risk factor that clinicians and policy-makers should consider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Prell
- Department of Geriatrics, Halle University Hospital, Halle, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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22
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Schmidt P. On Experiential Loneliness. TOPOI : AN INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PHILOSOPHY 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37361722 PMCID: PMC10262127 DOI: 10.1007/s11245-023-09936-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Presumably, everyone has, at some point in their lives, felt lonely. Loneliness is, in that particular sense, omnipresent. What it feels like to be lonely can, however, vary significantly. Loneliness is far from being a homogeneous phenomenon. Different kinds of loneliness need to be distinguished, considering its causes, contexts, a person's capacities to cope with it, and many other factors. This paper introduces the notion of a specific kind of loneliness: experiential loneliness. Experiential loneliness, it will be argued, consists in particular ways of experiencing the world, oneself, and others. Although feelings of being lonely in one way or another can emanate from one's experience of the world being structured in a particular manner, such kinds of loneliness need not-at least, not always and the whole time-lead to emotional feelings that are concerned with one's loneliness or the lack of meaningful social relationship. Loneliness can give rise to quite different emotional feelings that sometimes even cover up their provenience from underlying experiential loneliness. The notion of experiential loneliness, it is suggested, helps to tie back certain styles of thinking, desires, feelings, and behaviors to contexts of loneliness. Moreover, it will be argued that the notion can also elucidate the development of feelings of being lonely in contexts in which others are not only around but also available. To develop and enrich the notion of experiential loneliness as well as to exemplify its usefulness, a closer look will be taken at the case of borderline personality disorder, a condition in which sufferers are often plagued by loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schmidt
- Institut für Philosophie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Ehrenhof Südflügel, Residenzplatz 2, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
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Adekpedjou R, Léon P, Dewidar O, Al‐Zubaidi A, Jbilou J, Kaczorowski J, Muscedere J, Hirdes J, Heckman G, Girard M, Hébert PC. Effectiveness of interventions to address different types of vulnerabilities in community-dwelling older adults: An umbrella review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2023; 19:e1323. [PMID: 37180567 PMCID: PMC10168691 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Frailty, social isolation, loneliness, and poverty may render older adults vulnerable to social or health stressors. It is imperative to identify effective interventions to address them especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To identify effective community-based interventions to address frailty, social isolation, loneliness, and poverty among community-dwelling older adults. Design Umbrella review. Data Source We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, EBM-Reviews, CINAHL via EBSCO, and APA PsycInfo via Ovid from January 2009 to December 2022. Eligibility Criteria We included systematic reviews or quantitative reviews of non-pharmacologic interventions targeting community-dwelling older adults. Data Selection Extraction and Management Two review authors independently screened the titles and abstracts, performed data extraction and appraised the methodological quality of the reviews. We used a narrative synthesis approach to summarize and interpret the findings. We assessed the methodological quality of the studies using AMSTAR 2.0 tool. Results We identified 27 reviews incorporating 372 unique primary studies that met our inclusion criteria. Ten of the reviews included studies conducted in low-middle-income countries. Twelve reviews (46%, 12/26) included interventions that addressed frailty. Seventeen reviews (65%, 17/26) included interventions that addressed either social isolation or loneliness. Eighteen reviews included studies with single component interventions, while 23 reviews included studies with multi-component interventions. Interventions including protein supplementation combined with physical activity may improve outcomes including frailty status, grip strength, and body weight. Physical activity alone or in combination with diet may prevent frailty. Additionally, physical activity may improve social functioning and interventions using digital technologies may decrease social isolation and loneliness. We did not find any review of interventions addressing poverty among older adults. We also noted that few reviews addressed multiple vulnerabilities within the same study, specifically addressed vulnerability among ethnic and sexual minority groups, or examined interventions that engaged communities and adapted programs to local needs. Conclusion Evidence from reviews support diets, physical activity, and digital technologies to improve frailty, social isolation or loneliness. However, interventions examined were primarily conducted under optimal conditions. There is a need for further interventions in community settings and conducted under real world settings in older adults living with multiple vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhéda Adekpedjou
- Carrefour de l'innovation et de l'évaluation en santéCentre Hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - Pascale Léon
- Carrefour de l'innovation et de l'évaluation en santéCentre Hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - Omar Dewidar
- Bruyère Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Ali Al‐Zubaidi
- Bruyère Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Jalila Jbilou
- Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau‐Brunswick et École de psychologie, Faculté des sciences de la santé et des services communautairesUniversité de MonctonNouveau‐BrunswickCanada
| | - Janusz Kaczorowski
- Carrefour de l'innovation et de l'évaluation en santéCentre Hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - John Muscedere
- Department of Critical Care MedicineQueens University and Canadian Frailty NetworkKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - John Hirdes
- Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau‐Brunswick et École de psychologie, Faculté des sciences de la santé et des services communautairesUniversité de MonctonNouveau‐BrunswickCanada
| | - George Heckman
- School of Public Health and Health SystemsUniversity of WaterlooWaterlooCanada
- Schlegel Research Institute for AgingWaterlooCanada
| | - Magali Girard
- Bureau de Recherche Développement ValorisationUniversité de MontréalMontréalCanada
| | - Paul C. Hébert
- Carrefour de l'innovation et de l'évaluation en santéCentre Hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalMontréalCanada
- Bruyère Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
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Gregory L, Dutton T, Osuagwu UL, Vines R. Does social media usage ameliorate loneliness in rural youth? A cross sectional pilot study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:371. [PMID: 37237363 PMCID: PMC10214363 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04849-y] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the relationship between social media use and loneliness and psychological wellbeing of youth in rural New South Wales. DESIGN This was a web-based cross-sectional survey. METHODS The survey consisted of 33 items including demography (12 items), participants' social media use (9 items), mood and anxiety (6 items), perceived loneliness (6 items), the impact of COVID-19 on social media usage or perceived loneliness (2 items). The participants' mood and anxiety were evaluated using the psychological distress tool (K6), while loneliness was measured using the De Jong Gierveld 6-item scale. Total loneliness and psychological distress scores were compared between demographic variables. RESULTS A total of 47 participants, aged 16-24 years took part in the study. The majority were women (68%) and many had K6 score that was indicative of psychological distress (68%). About half of the participants indicated that Facebook (FB) was their most used social media platform and two in five participants were on social media within 10 min of waking up each day, about 30% spent more than 20 h per week on social media, and more than two-third sent private messages, images, or videos, multiple times a day. The mean loneliness score was 2.89 (range, 0 to 6), with 0 being 'not lonely' and 6 being 'intense social loneliness'. One-way ANOVA and χ2 test results showed that those who used FB most frequently had significantly higher mean scores for loneliness compared to those that used other social media platforms (p = 0.015). Linear regression analysis revealed that those who commonly used FB were more likely to report higher loneliness scores (coefficient = -1.45, 95%CI -2.63, -0.28, p = 0.017), while gender (p = 0.039), age (p = 0.048), household composition (p = 0.023), and education level (p = 0.014) were associated with severe psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS The study found that social media usage, particularly FB, as measured by time used and active or passive engagement with the medium, was significantly linked to loneliness, with some impact on psychological distress. Social media use within ten minutes of waking increased the likelihood of psychological distress. However, neither loneliness nor psychological distress were associated with rurality among the rural youth in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Gregory
- Bathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia
| | - Tegan Dutton
- Bathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia
| | - Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu
- Bathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia.
- African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), Department of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Robyn Vines
- Bathurst Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia
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Prell T, Stegmann S, Schönenberg A. Social exclusion in people with diabetes: cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). Sci Rep 2023; 13:7113. [PMID: 37130924 PMCID: PMC10152415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33884-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As social exclusion can be linked to worse health and overall reduced quality of life, we describe social exclusion in people with diabetes and assess whether diabetes can be considered as a risk factor for social exclusion. We analyzed two waves (2014, 2017, N = 6604) from a survey of community-dwelling people aged > 40 using linear regression, group comparison and generalized estimating equations to explore the association between diabetes, social exclusion, socioeconomic, physical and psychosocial variables. In the entire cohort, diabetes was cross-sectionally associated with social exclusion after adjusting for covariates (p = 0.001). In people with diabetes, social exclusion was further associated with self-esteem (p < 0.001), loneliness (p = < 0.001), income (p = 0.017), depression (p = 0.001), physical diseases (p = 0.04), and network size (p = 0.043). Longitudinal data revealed that higher levels of social exclusion were already present before the diagnosis of diabetes, and future social exclusion was predicted by self-esteem, loneliness, depression, and income, but not by diabetes (p = .221). We conclude that diabetes is not a driver of social exclusion. Instead, both seem to co-occur as a consequence of health-related and psychosocial variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Prell
- Department of Geriatrics, Halle University Hospital, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Aline Schönenberg
- Department of Geriatrics, Halle University Hospital, Halle, Germany.
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26
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Salzer C, Samoila L, Mortazavi Moshkenani H, Samoila O. Spiritual and religious perspectives in persons with visual impairment due to age-related macular degeneration. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1096215. [PMID: 37179878 PMCID: PMC10169828 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1096215] [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: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the global leading causes of severe vision loss. Patients suffering from AMD face complex spiritual and mental challenges that have an impact on the course of their disease, their quality of life, and their relationship with their surroundings. Methods A survey was carried out using a 21-item questionnaire between August 2020 and June 2021 among 117 patients from different countries to investigate how spirituality, religion, and their way of practicing them affected the experiences and daily lives of patients suffering from AMD, and whether it helped them cope with the disease. Results Our study concluded that spirituality and religion are important factors that facilitate patients' ability to cope with a progressive degenerative disease such as AMD. Patients who are religious are more at peace with having AMD. Practices that contribute to patients being at peace in accepting the disease are regular prayers or meditation. Spirituality and religion are important components that promote a healthier and happier emotional state and mental wellbeing. In particular, by believing that death is not the end, patients feel more hopeful, which helps in their adjustment to a seemingly hopeless health condition. A significant number of AMD patients desire to talk about God with the medical staff. The profile of such patients could be those believing in a higher power, praying often, participating in religious services, being worried about the loss of vision, and needing assistance in daily life. Discussion An interdisciplinary and multidimensional team of medical health professionals including mental health workers and chaplains can be of great value in managing persons with AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Salzer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | | | - Ovidiu Samoila
- Department of Ophthalmology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Iovino P, Vellone E, Cedrone N, Riegel B. A Middle-Range Theory of Social Isolation in Chronic Illness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4940. [PMID: 36981849 PMCID: PMC10049704 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chronic illnesses and social isolation are major public phenomena that drive health and social policy worldwide. This article describes a middle-range theory of social isolation as experienced by chronically ill individuals. Key concepts include social disconnectedness, loneliness, and chronic illness. Antecedents of social isolation include predisposing factors (e.g., ageism and immigration) and precipitating factors (e.g., stigma and grief). Outcomes of social isolation include psychosocial responses (e.g., depression and quality of life), health-related behaviors (i.e., self-care), and clinical responses (e.g., cognitive function and health service use). Possible patterns of social isolation in chronic illness are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Iovino
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Ercole Vellone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Nadia Cedrone
- Unità di Medicina Interna, Ospedale S. Pertini, 00157 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Riegel
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY 10017, USA
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28
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Ahmed M, Cerda I, Maloof M. Breaking the vicious cycle: The interplay between loneliness, metabolic illness, and mental health. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1134865. [PMID: 36970267 PMCID: PMC10030736 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1134865] [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: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness, or perceived social isolation, is a leading predictor of all-cause mortality and is increasingly considered a public health epidemic afflicting significant portions of the general population. Chronic loneliness is itself associated with two of the most pressing public health epidemics currently facing the globe: the rise of mental illness and metabolic health disorders. Here, we highlight the epidemiological associations between loneliness and mental and metabolic health disorders and argue that loneliness contributes to the etiology of these conditions by acting as a chronic stressor that leads to neuroendocrine dysregulation and downstream immunometabolic consequences that manifest in disease. Specifically, we describe how loneliness can lead to overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ultimately cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which is implicated in mental and metabolic disease. These conditions can, in turn, lead to further social isolation and propel a vicious cycle of chronic illness. Finally, we outline interventions and policy recommendations that can reduce loneliness at both the individual and community levels. Given its role in the etiology of the most prevalent chronic diseases of our time, focusing resources on alleviating loneliness is a vitally important and cost-effective public health strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhal Ahmed
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ivo Cerda
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Molly Maloof
- Adamo Bioscience, Inc., Fernandina Beach, FL, United States
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29
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Yamazaki R, Nishio S, Nagata Y, Satake Y, Suzuki M, Kanemoto H, Yamakawa M, Figueroa D, Ishiguro H, Ikeda M. Long-term effect of the absence of a companion robot on older adults: A preliminary pilot study. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fcomp.2023.1129506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Robotic assistive technology for frail older adults has drawn attention, along with raising ethical concerns. The ethical implications of a robot's usage have been characterized in the literature as detrimental, such as emotional deception, unhealthy attachment, and reduced human contact from a deontological perspective. These concerns require practical investigations, although the long-term effect of robot usage on older adults remains uncertain. Our longitudinal study aimed to investigate how older adults with cognitive decline could be affected by using a robot for communication in their homes and how this situation could be reflected in possible emotional attachment to the robot i.e., emotional distress from the robot being taken away once they had become attached to it. We selected 13 older adults living alone and set up a humanoid robot in their homes with whom they could interact at any time for a period of 1–4 months. Questionnaire results indicated participants had a close attachment to the robots even after they were taken away. Interviews revealed that participants became distressed without the robots; however, despite the distress caused by feeling lonely, participants reported that their relationships with the robots were meaningful and that they were satisfied with the memories of having had the robot as a companion. The results raised new questions for further investigation into issues that should be addressed and potential factors affecting the user's adaptation processes. Regarding the consequences of the use of a companion robot, it is important to evaluate the positive aspects of the robot's usage including the emotional support lasting after it was no longer available and other effects on the users. Accordingly, we emphasize the significance of real-world exploration into the effects on the users as well as theoretical reflection on appropriate robot usage.
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30
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Ezeokonkwo FC, Sekula KL, Stokes JE, Theeke LA, Zoucha R, Troutman-Jordan M, Sharma D. Relationships between Interpersonal Goals and Loneliness in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1914. [PMID: 36767280 PMCID: PMC9914752 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness is linked to many physiological and psychological issues and disproportionately affects older adults. Interpersonal goals (compassion and self-image) are essential to interpersonal relationships; however, how they relate to loneliness in older adults is unknown. We investigated the impact of interpersonal goals on loneliness using the Ecosystem-Egosystem Theory of Social Motivation. This study, adopting a descriptive cross-sectional correlational design, used data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study. Participants (n = 3212) included people aged >65 years (mean age: 75; female: 60.1%). We performed exploratory factor analysis with principal axis factoring and varimax rotation to examine the suitability of compassionate and self-image goals as separate factors. The complex samples general linear model was used to assess the relationship between loneliness and interpersonal goals. Interpersonal goals were significantly negatively associated with loneliness. Respondents with higher compassion and self-image goals reported lower loneliness levels. Our results contribute to understanding how interpersonal goals relate to loneliness in older adults. These initial findings warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey E. Stokes
- Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Laurie A. Theeke
- School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20006, USA
| | - Rick Zoucha
- School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | | | - Dinesh Sharma
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
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31
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Effects of mobile Internet use on loneliness among older adults: Health status as a possible moderator? J Public Health (Oxf) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-022-01810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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32
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Norell Pejner M, Karlsson S. Restoring Balance-A Woman's Expressions of Lived Experience of Everyday Life During a Period of Aging: A Case Study. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2023; 60:469580231167133. [PMID: 37036069 PMCID: PMC10103273 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231167133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Bereaved older people face stressors from the changes in roles associated with the death of a spouse. To illustrate the lived experience of everyday life during a period of aging after a woman's loss of her spouse. One woman born in 1918 was followed between 74 and 80 years of age after her husband died. Data consisted of daily diary. The text from the diaries were analyzed with a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Everyday life after becoming a widow is characterized by balancing between personal resources to manage everyday life and vulnerability. In health and social care, it is important to identify experiences of vulnerability because these are associated with poor health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Staffan Karlsson
- Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
- Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
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Attia M, Ibrahim FA, Elsady MAE, Khorkhash MK, Rizk MA, Shah J, Amer SA. Cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral stress-related symptoms and coping strategies among university students during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:933981. [PMID: 36186888 PMCID: PMC9523087 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933981] [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: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stress is manifested by different physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral stress-related symptoms, and everyone experiences it uniquely. The COVID-19 Pandemic has tremendously affected university students' lives. So, we conducted this study to determine the stress frequency, causes, determinants, and related symptoms involving physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral traits and coping strategies among university students in Egypt during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021. Methods Cross-sectional study targeted 1,467 randomly selected undergraduate university students, representing all colleges from 30 universities in Egypt, through a validated self-administrated questionnaire. Results The total stress-related symptom score was statistically significant (p < 0.05), higher among females, married, living on campus, with a (B) GPA, and those who had both organic and psychological disorders. The top 10 prevalent physical symptoms were headaches, chronic fatigue, hair loss, low back pain, neck pain, shoulders and arm pain, ophthalmological symptoms, acne, shakiness of extremities, and palpitations, respectively. The most reported symptoms regarding the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects were anxiety and racing thoughts, moodiness and irritability, and excessive sleeping, respectively. Nine hundred and thirty-seven (63.9%) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic badly affected their lives, either directly or indirectly. The study showed that the prevalence of stress among university students is more than 97%. One thousand and five (68.5%) preferred isolation as a relieving technique. Conclusion Stress and its related physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms are prevalent among university students. Most of the university students who were recruited reported that the COVID-19 pandemic badly affected their lives and used negative ways to deal with stress, like staying alone and sleeping too much. Positive ways to deal with stress, like seeing a therapist or meditating, were less common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merna Attia
- Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | - Jaffer Shah
- New York State Department of Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samar A. Amer
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Member at Royal Colleague of General Practitioners [INT], London, United Kingdom
- Department of Mental Health Primary Care, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
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Yang D, Hu B, Ren Z, Li M. Impact of income on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Based on the 2020 China family panel survey. Front Psychol 2022; 13:977609. [PMID: 36033101 PMCID: PMC9403752 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, the COVID-19 has continued to rage, and epidemic prevention policies have limited contact between individuals, which may has a great influence on the income of individuals, exacerbate anxiety and depression, and cause serious mental health problems. The current study aims to examine the association between income and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic by using the data of 9,296 observations from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies. Employing ordinary least squares regression and two-stage least squares regression, we find the significant positive effect of income on Chinese mental health during this pandemic. In addition, the number of cigarettes smoked per day has significant negative effects on mental health. Education levelˎmarriage and exercise frequency have significant positive correlation with mental health. Furthermore, the impact of income on individuals of different groups is heterogeneous during this pandemic. The impact of income for well-educated individuals is less strong than their less-educated counterparts. People who exercise regularly respond less strongly to changes in income than those who do not exercise. Finally, individuals’ salary satisfaction and interpersonal relationship are shown to be the potential mechanism for the effect of income on Chinese mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongliang Yang
- Northeast Asian Research Center, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bingbin Hu
- Department of Regional Economics, School of Northeast Asian, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhichao Ren
- Department of Regional Economics, School of Northeast Asian, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mingna Li
- Department of Preschool Education, School of Literature, Changchun University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Mingna Li,
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Hernández-Ascanio J, Ventura-Puertos PE, Rich-Ruiz M, Cantón-Habas V, Roldán-Villalobos AM, Pérula-de Torres LÁ. Conditions for Feasibility of a Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness in Noninstitutionalized Older Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:1104. [PMID: 35742155 PMCID: PMC9223082 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10061104] [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] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To identify the factors conditioning the feasibility of an intervention to reduce social isolation and loneliness in noninstitutionalized older adults from the perspective of the intervention agents. DESIGN A Dimensional Grounded Theory study conducted from December 2019 to January 2020. METHODS Twelve participants were recruited from an experimental study developed in a health district of a southern Spanish city. Data were collected through focus group meetings, individual interviews, biograms, anecdote notebooks, and the field diaries of two participants not included in the other techniques. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS Findings were divided into three themes: (a) the elderly between the walls of loneliness, economic difficulties, losses, and the past; (b) intervention agents/volunteers between the walls of inexperience in the management of psychological/emotional processes, lack of moral authority, and difficulty in planning results adapted to the (elderly) person; and (c) intervention between the walls of (interest in) company and assistance at home, lack of involvement ("waiting for you to save them"), and withdrawal/"abandonment". CONCLUSION A profile of the specialized intervention agent, professionalized (or at least a mentored agent), with both technical and relational competencies; a clear understanding of the purposes of the intervention (empowerment, as opposed to having company or being helped with household chores) and the commitment to active participation by the elder; or adequate management of the completion of the intervention (flexibility, attachment management) are some of the main factors contributing to the feasibility of these approaches. IMPACT The findings have potential implications in the field of primary healthcare because primary and community healthcare services can implement corrections to the proposed intervention and ensure its effectiveness under feasible conditions. The nurse is shown as the most appropriate profile to conduct this intervention, although more research is needed to analyze the feasibility of this type of intervention in the daily practice of community nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Hernández-Ascanio
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
| | - Pedro Emilio Ventura-Puertos
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
| | - Manuel Rich-Ruiz
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
- CIBER on Frailty and Healthy Ageing, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Cantón-Habas
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
| | - Ana María Roldán-Villalobos
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
- Family and Community Medicine Unit of the Córdoba-Guadalquivir Health District, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Luis Ángel Pérula-de Torres
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (J.H.-A.); (P.E.V.-P.); (V.C.-H.); (A.M.R.-V.); (L.Á.P.-d.T.)
- Family and Community Medicine Unit of the Córdoba-Guadalquivir Health District, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
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36
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Hwang S, Hwang J, Jeong H. Study on Associating Emotions in Verbal Reactions to Facial Expressions in Dementia. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10061022. [PMID: 35742073 PMCID: PMC9222752 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10061022] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to provide basic data on cognitive therapy and to improve social support programs for the elderly with dementia by identifying the difficulties they experienced in emotional communication by identifying how they recognized emotions in verbal reactions to facial expressions using Ekman’s photographs of facial expressions and comparing their responses with the general elderly population. There were 141 participants in this study. Data collection was conducted from 3 April 2019 to 30 June 2019 in Seoul, in the Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces of South Korea. This study performed descriptive research in which subjects made participative decisions with their guardian through recruitment. The tools used in this study included a general characteristic questionnaire and the Ekman 6 facial expressions photographs tool, which underwent intensive validity studies. The collected data were analyzed using the R version 3.5.1 statistic computing platform. The ability of the elderly with dementia to associate verbal expressions with facial expressions differed from that of the general elderly population. The rates of correct associations of verbal expressions to facial expressions were similar across dementia grades. There was a significant difference in the proportion of correct associations between positive and negative emotions in the elderly with dementia compared to the general elderly population. In the elderly with dementia, pictures showing fear, anger, and disgust had higher wrong rates of incorrect answers than correct answers. The average score of elderly with dementia in associating verbal expressions with six facial expressions was 2.69, which was even lower when they were asked to associate verbal expressions with pictures showing facial expressions of anger or disgust. This study shows that elderly persons with dementia have difficulties identifying two negative emotions (anger, disgust) and find it much easier to identify a positive emotion of happiness represented by a smiling face. Since the ability of the elderly with dementia to interpret verbal expressions to facial expressions was different from that of the general elderly population, careful attention and consideration are needed to support and communicate emotions to the elderly with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- SungHo Hwang
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Korea;
| | - JiWon Hwang
- College of Nursing, Kyungdong University, Wonju 24695, Korea;
| | - HyeonCheol Jeong
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-10-8858-5679
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Menze I, Mueller P, Mueller NG, Schmicker M. Age-related cognitive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and associated mental health changes in Germans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8172. [PMID: 35581297 PMCID: PMC9112263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11283-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Restrictive means to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have not only imposed broad challenges on mental health but might also affect cognitive health. Here we asked how restriction-related changes influence cognitive performance and how age, perceived loneliness, depressiveness and affectedness by restrictions contribute to these effects. 51 Germans completed three assessments of an online based study during the first lockdown in Germany (April 2020), a month later, and during the beginning of the second lockdown (November 2020). Participants completed nine online cognitive tasks of the MyBrainTraining and online questionnaires about their perceived strain and impact on lifestyle factors by the situation (affectedness), perceived loneliness, depressiveness as well as subjective cognitive performance. The results suggested a possible negative impact of depressiveness and affectedness on objective cognitive performance within the course of the lockdown. The younger the participants, the more pronounced these effects were. Loneliness and depressiveness moreover contributed to a worse evaluation of subjective cognition. In addition, especially younger individuals reported increased distress. As important educational and social input has partly been scarce during this pandemic and mental health problems have increased, future research should also assess cognitive long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Menze
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Patrick Mueller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Notger G Mueller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Marlen Schmicker
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
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Brilliant T D, Takeuchi H, Nouchi R, Yokoyama R, Kotozaki Y, Nakagawa S, Hanawa S, Sekiguchi A, Ikeda S, Sakaki K, Kawata KHDS, Nozawa T, Yokota S, Magistro D, Kawashima R. Loneliness inside of the brain: evidence from a large dataset of resting-state fMRI in young adult. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7856. [PMID: 35550564 PMCID: PMC9098468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although loneliness itself is a natural emotion, prolonged loneliness is detrimental to human health. Despite its detrimental effect, few loneliness-related neuroimaging studies have been published and some have limitations on the sample size number. This study aims to find the difference in resting-state functional connectivity associated with loneliness within a big sample size via the seed-based approach. Functional connectivity analysis was performed on a large cohort of young adults (N = 1336) using the seed-based functional connectivity approach to address the concern from previous studies. The analysis yielded statistically significant positive correlations between loneliness and functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area, precentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Additionally, the analysis replicated a finding from a previous study, which is increased functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area. In conclusion, greater loneliness is reflected by stronger functional connectivity of the visual attention brain area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denilson Brilliant T
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hikaru Takeuchi
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rui Nouchi
- Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Departments of Cognitive Health Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Yuka Kotozaki
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical-Industry Translational Research Center, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Seishu Nakagawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Psychiatry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sugiko Hanawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sekiguchi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Ikeda
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Sakaki
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Takayuki Nozawa
- Research Institute for the Earth Inclusive Sensing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Yokota
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daniele Magistro
- Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England
| | - Ryuta Kawashima
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Ageing and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Prevalence of Loneliness and Associated Factors among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084911. [PMID: 35457781 PMCID: PMC9025207 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness has become one of the most common psychological problems experienced by older adults. Previous studies have indicated that loneliness is correlated with poor physical and psychological health outcomes; therefore, it is important to pay attention to people experiencing loneliness. However, there is a lack of information regarding the prevalence of loneliness, and its associated factors, among community-dwelling older adults in Indonesia, which this study aimed to understand. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational research design. Stratified random sampling was applied to 1360 participants, aged ≥ 60 years, in 15 community health centers in Kendari City, Indonesia. The following questionnaires were used to collect data, including demographic and characteristic information, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form, and a single-item loneliness question. The prevalence of loneliness among older adults was 64.0%. The multivariate logistic regression showed that older adults who were female, lived with family, had fewer children, had a poor health status, had a poor oral status, had more chronic diseases, had no hearing problems, had poor cognitive function, and had depression had a higher chance of feeling lonely. Loneliness is a serious health issue among the older population in Indonesia. The government, social workers, and healthcare professionals should pay immediate attention to this psychological problem. The study also suggests that appropriate strategies for the prevention of loneliness should be developed in the near future.
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40
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The Loneliness of Migraine Scale: A Development and Validation Study. CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ctn6020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with migraine often isolate themselves during their attacks. This disease-related loneliness seems to reverberate interictal, as some patients report failing relationships, losing jobs, or suffering from reduced social contacts. We developed a 10-item self-report questionnaire, the loneliness of migraine scale (LMS), and conducted an online survey. The questionnaire comprised diagnostic questions for migraine, the loneliness of migraine scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and the Headache Attributed Lost Time Index (HALT-90). We computed item statistics, the psychometric properties of the LMS and assessed correlations between loneliness, migraine days, anxiety, and depression. We included 223 participants with (probable) migraine, reporting 8 ± 6 headache days with a disease duration of 11 ± 11 years. The mean scores of the HALT were 88 ± 52, of the GAD-7 10 ± 5, for PHQ-8 11 ± 6, and of the LMS 28.79 ± 9.72. Cronbach’s alpha for all ten items was 0.929. The loneliness scale correlated with the GAD-7 (r = 0.713, p < 0.001), with the PHQ-8 scale (r = 0.777, p < 0.001) and with migraine days (r = 0.338, p < 0.001). The LMS is a reliable and valid questionnaire measuring the loneliness of migraine patients. Feelings of loneliness were common and correlated highly with migraine days, anxiety, and depression.
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Watanabe S, Omran AA, Shao AS, Xue C, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Davies DL, Shao XM, Watanabe J, Liang J. Dihydromyricetin improves social isolation-induced cognitive impairments and astrocytic changes in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5899. [PMID: 35393483 PMCID: PMC8989100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09814-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Social isolation induces stress, anxiety, and mild cognitive impairment that could progress towards irreversible brain damage. A probable player in the mechanism of social isolation-induced anxiety is astrocytes, specialized glial cells that support proper brain function. Using a social isolation mouse model, we observed worsened cognitive and memory abilities with reductions of Object Recognition Index (ORI) in novel object recognition test and Recognition Index (RI) in novel context recognition test. Social isolation also increased astrocyte density, reduced astrocyte size with shorter branches, and reduced morphological complexity in the hippocampus. Dihydromyricetin, a flavonoid that we previously demonstrated to have anxiolytic properties, improved memory/cognition and restored astrocyte plasticity in these mice. Our study indicates astrocytic involvement in social isolation-induced cognitive impairment as well as anxiety and suggest dihydromyricetin as an early-stage intervention against anxiety, cognitive impairment, and potential permanent brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Watanabe
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Alzahra Al Omran
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Amy S Shao
- Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Chen Xue
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Daryl L Davies
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Xuesi M Shao
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Junji Watanabe
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jing Liang
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, PSC 504, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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42
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Bijani A, Neghabi N, Hosseini SR, Ghadimi R, Mouodi S. Living Arrangement of Older Adults and its Effect on Five-Year Survival. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2022; 48:181-186. [PMID: 36320874 PMCID: PMC9590367 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.48.02.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the impact of living alone on health outcomes, this study was conducted to assess the living arrangement of senior adults and its effect on the mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cohort study carried out on elderly people aged 60 years and over. Demographic characteristics, the number of comorbid disorders and living condition-as being alone or living with other people-were collected. The mini-mental state examination questionnaire, the geriatric depression scale, the Katz index of activities of daily living, the Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale, and a modified version of Duke social support index were used for data collection. The participants were followed for five years, and their survival was assessed. RESULTS Out of the 500 examined individuals, 100 (20.0%) were living alone. During 5 years of follow-up, sixteen (19.8%) of the people who died were living alone. The adjusted effect of age (P<0.001), male gender (P=0.004), the number of comorbidities (P=0.031), the person's social support (P=0.028) and dependence to others to do complex daily activities (P=0.020) on the mortality of the participants was significant, however, other factors including living alone, illiteracy, cognitive impairment and depression did not show such a statistically significant effect (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Living arrangement, itself, did not show a significant effect on the mortality of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bijani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Nikta Neghabi
- Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Hosseini
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Reza Ghadimi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Simin Mouodi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Solé-Padullés C, Macià D, Andersson M, Stiernstedt M, Pudas S, Düzel S, Zsoldos E, Ebmeier KP, Binnewies J, Drevon CA, Brandmaier AM, Mowinckel AM, Fjell AM, Madsen KS, Baaré WFC, Lindenberger U, Nyberg L, Walhovd KB, Bartrés-Faz D. No Association Between Loneliness, Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Volume Change in Young and Healthy Older Adults: A Longitudinal European Multicenter Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:795764. [PMID: 35283753 PMCID: PMC8905540 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.795764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Loneliness is most prevalent during adolescence and late life and has been associated with mental health disorders as well as with cognitive decline during aging. Associations between longitudinal measures of loneliness and verbal episodic memory and brain structure should thus be investigated. Methods We sought to determine associations between loneliness and verbal episodic memory as well as loneliness and hippocampal volume trajectories across three longitudinal cohorts within the Lifebrain Consortium, including children, adolescents (N = 69, age range 10-15 at baseline examination) and older adults (N = 1468 over 60). We also explored putative loneliness correlates of cortical thinning across the entire cortical mantle. Results Loneliness was associated with worsening of verbal episodic memory in one cohort of older adults. Specifically, reporting medium to high levels of loneliness over time was related to significantly increased memory loss at follow-up examinations. The significance of the loneliness-memory change association was lost when eight participants were excluded after having developed dementia in any of the subsequent follow-up assessments. No significant structural brain correlates of loneliness were found, neither hippocampal volume change nor cortical thinning. Conclusion In the present longitudinal European multicenter study, the association between loneliness and episodic memory was mainly driven by individuals exhibiting progressive cognitive decline, which reinforces previous findings associating loneliness with cognitive impairment and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Solé-Padullés
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,*Correspondence: Cristina Solé-Padullés,
| | - Dídac Macià
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic – University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Micael Andersson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mikael Stiernstedt
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara Pudas
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sandra Düzel
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enikő Zsoldos
- Department of Psychiatry, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus P. Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Binnewies
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian A. Drevon
- Vitas Ltd., Oslo, Norway,Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas M. Brandmaier
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Athanasia M. Mowinckel
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders M. Fjell
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kathrine Skak Madsen
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark,Radiography, Department of Technology, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William F. C. Baaré
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulman Lindenberger
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany,Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kristine B. Walhovd
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - David Bartrés-Faz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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Surkalim DL, Luo M, Eres R, Gebel K, van Buskirk J, Bauman A, Ding D. The prevalence of loneliness across 113 countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2022; 376:e067068. [PMID: 35140066 PMCID: PMC8826180 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify data availability, gaps, and patterns for population level prevalence of loneliness globally, to summarise prevalence estimates within World Health Organization regions when feasible through meta-analysis, and to examine temporal trends of loneliness in countries where data exist. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus for peer reviewed literature, and Google Scholar and Open Grey for grey literature, supplemented by backward reference searching (to 1 September 2021) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Observational studies based on nationally representative samples (n≥292), validated instruments, and prevalence data for 2000-19. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted in the subset of studies with relatively homogeneous research methods by measurement instrument, age group, and WHO region. RESULTS Prevalence data were available for 113 countries or territories, according to official WHO nomenclature for regions, from 57 studies. Data were available for adolescents (12-17 years) in 77 countries or territories, young adults (18-29 years) in 30 countries, middle aged adults (30-59 years) in 32 countries, and older adults (≥60 years) in 40 countries. Data for all age groups except adolescents were lacking outside of Europe. Overall, 212 estimates for 106 countries from 24 studies were included in meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence of loneliness for adolescents ranged from 9.2% (95% confidence interval 6.8% to 12.4%) in South-East Asia to 14.4% (12.2% to 17.1%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. For adults, meta-analysis was conducted for the European region only, and a consistent geographical pattern was shown for all adult age groups. The lowest prevalence of loneliness was consistently observed in northern European countries (2.9%, 1.8% to 4.5% for young adults; 2.7%, 2.4% to 3.0% for middle aged adults; and 5.2%, 4.2% to 6.5% for older adults) and the highest in eastern European countries (7.5%, 5.9% to 9.4% for young adults; 9.6%, 7.7% to 12.0% for middle aged adults; and 21.3%, 18.7% to 24.2% for older adults). CONCLUSION Problematic levels of loneliness are experienced by a substantial proportion of the population in many countries. The substantial difference in data coverage between high income countries (particularly Europe) and low and middle income countries raised an important equity issue. Evidence on the temporal trends of loneliness is insufficient. The findings of this meta-analysis are limited by data scarcity and methodological heterogeneity. Loneliness should be incorporated into general health surveillance with broader geographical and age coverage, using standardised and validated measurement tools. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42019131448.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Surkalim
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Mengyun Luo
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Robert Eres
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Klaus Gebel
- Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Joseph van Buskirk
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Adrian Bauman
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Ding Ding
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Parmar M, Ma R, Attygalle S, Mueller C, Stubbs B, Stewart R, Perera G. Associations between loneliness and acute hospitalisation outcomes among patients receiving mental healthcare in South London: a retrospective cohort study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:397-410. [PMID: 33877370 PMCID: PMC8784491 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is well known that loneliness can worsen physical and mental health outcomes, but there is a dearth of research on the impact of loneliness in populations receiving mental healthcare. This study aimed to investigate cross-sectional correlates of loneliness among such patients and longitudinal risk for acute general hospitalisations. METHOD A retrospective observational study was conducted on the data from patients aged 18 + receiving assessment/care at a large mental healthcare provider in South London. Recorded loneliness status was ascertained among active patients on the index date, 30th Jun 2012. Acute general hospitalisation (emergency/elective) outcomes were obtained until 31st Mar 2018. Length of stay was modelled using Poisson regression models and time-to hospitalisation and time-to mortality were modelled using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS The data from 26,745 patients were analysed. The prevalence of patients with recorded loneliness was 16.4% at the index date. In the fully adjusted model, patients with recorded loneliness had higher hazards of emergency (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.22) and elective (1.05, 1.01-1.12) hospitalisation than patients who were not recorded as lonely, and a longer duration of both emergency (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.07) and elective (1.02, 1.01-1.03) general hospitalisations. There was no association between loneliness and mortality. Correlates of loneliness included having an eating disorder (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.29-2.25) and serious mental illnesses (OR 1.44, 1.29-1.62). CONCLUSION Loneliness in patients receiving mental healthcare is associated with higher use of general hospital services. Increased attention to the physical healthcare of this patient group is therefore warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Parmar
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ruimin Ma
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | | | - Christoph Mueller
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robert Stewart
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gayan Perera
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King's College London), De Crespigny Park, Box 92, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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Site A, Lohan ES, Jolanki O, Valkama O, Hernandez RR, Latikka R, Alekseeva D, Vasudevan S, Afolaranmi S, Ometov A, Oksanen A, Martinez Lastra J, Nurmi J, Fernandez FN. Managing Perceived Loneliness and Social-Isolation Levels for Older Adults: A Survey with Focus on Wearables-Based Solutions. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22031108. [PMID: 35161852 PMCID: PMC8839843 DOI: 10.3390/s22031108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
As an inevitable process, the number of older adults is increasing in many countries worldwide. Two of the main problems that society is being confronted with more and more, in this respect, are the inter-related aspects of feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. In particular, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and its associated restrictions have exacerbated the loneliness and social-isolation problems. This paper is first and foremost a comprehensive survey of loneliness monitoring and management solutions, from the multidisciplinary perspective of technology, gerontology, socio-psychology, and urban built environment. In addition, our paper also investigates machine learning-based technological solutions with wearable-sensor data, suitable to measure, monitor, manage, and/or diminish the levels of loneliness and social isolation, when one also considers the constraints and characteristics coming from social science, gerontology, and architecture/urban built environments points of view. Compared to the existing state of the art, our work is unique from the cross-disciplinary point of view, because our authors' team combines the expertise from four distinct domains, i.e., gerontology, social psychology, architecture, and wireless technology in addressing the two inter-related problems of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. This work combines a cross-disciplinary survey of the literature in the four aforementioned domains with a proposed wearable-based technological solution, introduced first as a generic framework and, then, exemplified through a simple proof of concept with dummy data. As the main findings, we provide a comprehensive view on challenges and solutions in utilizing various technologies, particularly those carried by users, also known as wearables, to measure, manage, and/or diminish the social isolation and the perceived loneliness among older adults. In addition, we also summarize the identified solutions which can be used for measuring and monitoring various loneliness- and social isolation-related metrics, and we present and validate, through a simple proof-of-concept mechanism, an approach based on machine learning for predicting and estimating loneliness levels. Open research issues in this field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Site
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (E.S.L.)
| | - Elena Simona Lohan
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (E.S.L.)
| | - Outi Jolanki
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Outi Valkama
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Rosana Rubio Hernandez
- Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (R.R.H.); (F.N.F.)
| | - Rita Latikka
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Daria Alekseeva
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
| | - Saigopal Vasudevan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Samuel Afolaranmi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Aleksandr Ometov
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
| | - Atte Oksanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (O.J.); (O.V.); (R.L.); (A.O.)
| | - Jose Martinez Lastra
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (S.A.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Jari Nurmi
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland; (D.A.); (A.O.); (J.N.)
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Kremers EM, Janssen JHM, Nieuwboer MS, Olde Rikkert MGM, Peeters GMEE(G. The psychosocial adaptability of independently living older adults to COVID-19 related social isolation in the Netherlands: A qualitative study. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e67-e74. [PMID: 34028124 PMCID: PMC8239797 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) entered the Netherlands, the older adults (aged 70 or above) were recommended to isolate themselves, resulting in less social contact and possibly increased loneliness. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore independently living older adults' perceptions of social and emotional well-being during the COVID-19-related self-isolation, and their motivation to expand their social network in the future. Semi-structured phone interviews were held with 20 community-dwelling adults (age range 56-87; 55% female) between April and June 2020 in the Netherlands. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Open coding process was applied to identify categories and themes. Participants said to use more digital technologies to maintain contacts and adapt to the government measurements. Most participants missed the lack of social contacts, while some participants had no problems with the reduced social contacts. The emotional well-being of most participants did not change. Some participants felt unpleasant or mentioned that the mood of other people had changed. Participants were not motivated to expand their social network because of existing strong networks. The relatively vital community-dwelling older adults in this study were able to adapt to the government recommendations for self-isolation with limited negative impact on their socio-emotional well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evi M. Kremers
- Department of Geriatric MedicineRadboud Institute of Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Jeroen H. M. Janssen
- Department of Geriatric MedicineRadboud Institute of Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Minke S. Nieuwboer
- Department of Geriatric MedicineRadboud Institute of Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer CenterRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Marcel G. M. Olde Rikkert
- Radboudumc Alzheimer CenterRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Geriatric MedicineDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - G. M. E. E. (Geeske) Peeters
- Department of Geriatric MedicineRadboud Institute of Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
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Kousha A, Lotfalinezhad E, Nadrian H, Bhalla D, Asghari-jafarabadi M, Sohrabi A, Hashemiparast M, Honarvar MR. Determinants of Subjective Loneliness and Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Gorgan, Iran. ADVANCES IN GERONTOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9774064 DOI: 10.1134/s2079057022040099] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of, and relationship between, subjective loneliness, general health and quality of life (QoL) among lonely community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of lonely (i.e. live alone without any assistance) older adults living in Gorgan city, Iran. The older adults were invited through a census sampling technique to complete six questionnaires, namely a 20-item UCLA loneliness scale, a six-item Lubben Social Network Scale, a 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, a 17-item Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE), a General Health Questionnaire-12, and a Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure (CASP-19) questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were done with subjective loneliness and QoL as outcome variables. In total, 213 (91% females) lonely older adults (mean age: 68.2 ± 6.2) participated. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions yield socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.001), predictor group 1 (p < 0.001), predictor group 2 (p < 0.001) explained 12.5, 13.5 and 46.6% of the observed variance in loneliness, respectively. Moreover, socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.001), predictor group 1 (p < 0.001), predictor group 2 (p < 0.001) and feeling of loneliness (p < 0.001) accounted for 16.9, 21.1, 48.6 and 55.3% of the observed variance in quality of life, respectively. Both subjective loneliness and QoL were moderate in our sample. We suggest the presence of a probable causal inference between subjective loneliness, general health, and QoL; implying the need of population strategies for correcting subjective loneliness for its own sake as well as to help have an improved general health and QoL among older adults. Beside several non-modifiable factors (such as age, ethnic groups), we suggest that corrective measures should be based on social support and networking, self-care behavior, leisure activities, adapted for age, literacy and racial specifications. Given its population health relevance, there should be increased research and intervention on loneliness among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Kousha
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - E. Lotfalinezhad
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran ,Department of Health Education and Promotion, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Attar-e-Neyshabouri St., Golgasht St., 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - H. Nadrian
- Medical Education Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Attar-e-Neyshabouri St., Golgasht St., 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - D. Bhalla
- Pôle Universitaire Euclide Intergovernmental UN Treaty, 49006/49007 Bangui, Central African Republic
| | - M. Asghari-jafarabadi
- Cabrini Research, Cabrini Health, 3144 VIC, Australia ,School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 3800 VIC, Australia ,Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5166/15731 Tabriz, Iran
| | - A. Sohrabi
- Cancer Control Research Center, Cancer Control Foundation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, 14535 Tehran, Iran
| | - M. Hashemiparast
- Department of Health Education and Promotion Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Gavazang road, PG36+6RX, 5166/15731 Zanjan, Iran
| | - M. R. Honarvar
- Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 5166/15731 Gorgan, Iran
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Rabasco A, Corcoran V, Andover M. Alone but not lonely: The relationship between COVID-19 social factors, loneliness, depression, and suicidal ideation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261867. [PMID: 34941942 PMCID: PMC8699668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns that social distancing may negatively impact mental health, particularly with regards to loneliness, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. The current study explored how aspects of social distancing, communication, and online support from October 2020 to December 2020 related to loneliness, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Method Participants (n = 216) who self-identified as having mental health diagnoses were recruited and completed questionnaires online. Results Findings showed that COVID-19 related social contact, particularly electronic social contact, is associated with decreased loneliness, suicidal ideation, and depression. Online emotional support was significantly associated with decreased loneliness and depressive symptoms. Social distancing practices were not associated with increased loneliness, suicidal ideation, and depression. Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of leveraging electronic methods of social connection, especially among individuals who are at risk for suicide or depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rabasco
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Vincent Corcoran
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Margaret Andover
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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50
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Emotional Well-Being and Use of Technology During COVID-19 Social Isolation in a Predominantly Minority Older-Adult Population. JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:179-182. [PMID: 34805487 PMCID: PMC8595271 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-021-00234-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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