Subjective social isolation or loneliness in older adults residing in social housing in Ontario: a cross-sectional study

A comparison of self-reported chronic disease, health awareness and behaviours in social housing residents: cross-sectional study of communities in Ontario and Quebec

OBJECTIVE

Social housing programs are integral to making housing more affordable to Canadian seniors living in poverty. Although the programs are similar across Canada, there may be inter-provincial differences among the health of residents that could guide the development of interventions. This study explores the health of low-income seniors living in social housing in Quebec and compares it with previously reported data from Ontario.

RESULTS

80 responses were obtained in Quebec to compare with the previously reported Ontario data (n = 599) for a total of 679 responses. More Ontario residents had access to a family doctor (p < 0.001). Quebec residents experienced less problems with self-care (p = 0.017) and less mobility issues (p = 0.052). The visual analog scale for overall health state was similar in both provinces (mean = 67.36 in Ontario and 69.23 in Quebec). Residents in Quebec smoked more cigarettes per day (p = 0.009). More residents in Ontario participated in moderate physical activity (p = 0.09), however, they also spent more time per day on the computer (p = 0.006).

Loneliness Among Low-Income Older Immigrants Living in Subsidized Senior Housing: Does Perceived Social Cohesion Matter?

This study compared the level of loneliness among older immigrants residing in subsidized senior housing with that of non-immigrant residents. The study also sought to examine the differential influence of perceived social cohesion on loneliness among these groups. 231 study participants were recruited from subsidized senior housing in St. Louis and the Chicago area. Multiple regression analyses showed that there was a significant difference in loneliness between immigrants and non-immigrants (b = .3, SE = 0.150, p < .05). Also, perceived social cohesion was negatively associated with loneliness (b=-.102, SE = .022, p < .001). Furthermore, immigration status moderated the relationship (b=-.147, SE = .043, p < .01), showing immigrants may benefit more from higher perceived social cohesion in terms of loneliness. The results suggest that perceived social cohesion may act as an important community-level protective factor against loneliness, particularly for older immigrants residing in subsidized senior housing. Creating socially cohesive environments, particularly for this subgroup, could be a crucial strategy for mitigating loneliness.              .

Findings from a Peer-Facilitated, Social Isolation Intervention in the Veterans Health Administration Healthcare System: A Mixed-Methods, Pilot Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Social isolation is a global public health threat. Veterans are particularly at risk for social isolation due to high rates of comorbid physical and mental health problems. Yet, effective interventions are limited.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of CONNECTED, a novel, transdiagnostic intervention to reduce social isolation that includes individual and group components and is delivered by peers via telehealth. Secondary objectives were to identify appropriate outcome measures and explore preliminary intervention effects.

METHODS

This was a two-phase study. In Phase 1, to evaluate study feasibility, we surveyed 200 veterans to assess prevalence of social isolation and their interest in social connectedness interventions. In Phase 2, we employed a mixed-methods, pre-post study design in which we piloted CONNECTED with 19 veterans through 2 successive cohorts to further assess feasibility, to evaluate acceptability, and to explore preliminary effectiveness. Quantitative analyses involved descriptive and bivariate analyses as well as multivariate modeling. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

For Phase 1, 39% of veterans surveyed were socially isolated. Participants who were ≤ 55 years old, caregivers, and those who experienced unmet social needs were more likely to report social isolation. Over 61% expressed interest in VA programs to reduce social isolation. For Phase 2, the pilot intervention, recruitment rate was 88% and the enrollment rate was 86%. Retention rates for the two cohorts were 80% and 50%, respectively, and satisfaction rates among intervention completers were 100%. Results also showed statistically significant improvements in social isolation (+ 5.91, SD = 4.99; p = .0028), social support (+ 0.74, SD = 1.09; p = .03), anxiety (-3.92, SD = 3.73; p = .003), and depression (-3.83, SD = 3.13; p = .001). Results for the other measures were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

CONNECTED is a feasible and acceptable intervention and is likely to be an effective tool to intervene on social isolation among veterans.

Randomised controlled trial of the Caring Connections intervention to reduce loneliness and perceived social isolation in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders: study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Perceived social isolation and loneliness are understudied in individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). The few existing studies reported that they are common, yet poorly treated, in persons with SCI/D. We developed an intervention called Caring Connections (CC) aimed at reducing loneliness and perceived social isolation in persons with SCI/D. CC is a peer-based, recurrent letter writing programme designed to provide moments of positivity. We will conduct and evaluate a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess changes in loneliness and social isolation outcomes between the CC intervention and control conditions in community-dwelling individuals with SCI/D.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

RCT to compare outcomes of community-dwelling individuals with SCI/D undergoing the CC intervention to an attention control group (receiving informational materials on life domains important to a good quality of life). Eligible participants include adults with chronic SCI/D who have been injured for >1 year. The primary outcome is loneliness, measured using the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) 3-item Loneliness Scale. Other outcomes include perceived social isolation and social support. A post-trial process evaluation will assess perceived benefits, negative impacts and satisfaction with the intervention, and areas for improvement. We will test the hypotheses of reduced loneliness and perceived social isolation in the CC intervention arm from baseline to 6 months and will also measure the magnitude of effect (difference between CC arm and attention control arm). We will use generalised linear models for repeated measures. We will assume a one-tailed, α=0.05 level of significance for comparisons. Process outcomes will be analysed using mixed methods, including frequencies for the rating items and thematic analysis for open-ended item responses.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has received Hines Veterans Affairs Institutional Review Board approval (#1673654). Findings will be disseminated widely through healthcare organisations, peer-reviewed publications and conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05295108.

Prevalence and factors associated with maternal loneliness during the postpartum period in Gondar city

Background

Mental health problems have increased worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Currently, loneliness is widely understood as a painful subjective experience when the social connections a person has do not meet their interpersonal needs in respect to the quality or quantity of friendship or social interaction. It has been linked to unpleasant health consequences for both the mother and child. Therefore, this study aimed to assess maternal loneliness during the postpartum period and associated factors in Gondar city.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1^st to August 30^th, 2021 in Gondar city. A cluster sampling technique was employed to select 858 postpartum women. Data were entered into epidemiological data (EPI data) version 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for further cleaning and analysis. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with maternal loneliness during the postpartum period. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95 % confidence interval (CI) was performed and the level of significance was claimed based on a p-value of ≤0.05.

Results

A total of 858 women were included in the analysis, giving a response rate of 98.4%. Two-fifths (40.9%) of the study participants have experienced loneliness during the postpartum period (95% CI: 37.6, 44.2). Low household decision-making power (AOR = 11.2; 95% CI: 7.59, 16.4) and poor social support (AOR = 2.44; 95 CI: 1.58, 3.76) were significantly associated with maternal loneliness.

Conclusion

In this study, 4 out of 10 women have experienced loneliness during the postpartum period. Thus, it highlights the potential risks of the mother’s loneliness on her postnatal well-being, particularly if the woman has poor social support and low household decision-making power. Encouraging women to be involved in all aspects of the household decision-making and promoting the need for social support for all women during the postpartum period may be optimal initial targets to reduce the impact of loneliness.