P.737 Risk factors for depression vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the Oxford COSIE (COVID-19, Social Isolation and Emotion) Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. S417-S418
Author(s):  
A. Gillespie ◽  
J. Carson ◽  
I. Van Assche ◽  
S. Murphy ◽  
C. Harmer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Depression Vulnerability

Loneliness, social isolation and cardiovascular risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson Alun ◽  
Barbara Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly being acknowledged as risk factors for both physical and mental health problems. Recent statistics demonstrate that loneliness and isolation are on the rise internationally, to the point of being classed as an epidemic. In this paper, the authors outline some of the recent research linking loneliness and isolation to significant chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes; mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression; cognitive disorders and dementia. Isolation has also been shown to compromise recovery after acute cardiac events, being associated with increased hospital readmission and premature death. Indeed, isolation has now been identified as a risk factor equivalent in effect to traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and obesity. While distinguishing between objective and subjective indicators of isolation, the authors highlight the complexity of this phenomenon, both in terms of definition and measurement, as well as the interplay between subjective and objective indicators. Important clinical implications for health professionals working with cardiac patients are also proposed, in terms of screening for isolation, and possible interventions to support patients at risk of isolation. The aim of the current article is to emphasise the importance of acknowledging loneliness and isolation as key risk factors requiring urgent attention, both in research and in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Nan Sook Park ◽  
David A. Chiriboga ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Jisook Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Older Korean Americans

scholarly journals Primary care chaplaincy: an intervention for complex presentation

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon W. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Holistic Care ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Routinely Collected Data ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract Aim To determine the responsiveness of primary care chaplaincy (PCC) to the current variety of presenting symptoms seen in primary care. This was done with a focus on complex and undifferentiated illness. Background Current presentations to primary care are often complex, undifferentiated and display risk factors for social isolation and loneliness. These are frequently associated with loss of well-being and spiritual issues. PCC provides holistic care for such patients but its efficacy is unknown in presentations representative of such issues. There is therefore a need to assess the characteristics of those attending PCC. The effectiveness of PCC relative to the type and number of presenting symptoms should also be analysed whilst evaluating impact on GP workload. Methods This was a retrospective observational study based on routinely collected data. In total, 164 patients attended PCC; 75 were co-prescribed antidepressants (AD) and 89 were not (No-AD). Pre- and post-PCC well-being was assessed by the Warwick–Edinburgh mental well-being score. Presenting issue(s) data were collected on a separate questionnaire. GP appointment utilisation was measured for three months pre- and post-PCC. Findings Those displaying undifferentiated illness and risk factors for social isolation and loneliness accessed PCC. PCC (No-AD) was associated with a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in well-being in all presenting issues. This effect was maintained in those with multiple presenting issues. PCC was associated with a reduction in GP appointment utilisation in those not co-prescribed AD.

Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne Holt-Lunstad ◽  
Timothy B. Smith ◽  
Mark Baker ◽  
Tyler Harris ◽  
David Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Tesch-Roemer ◽  
Oliver Huxhold
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Social Perceptions ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Aging Persons

Social isolation refers to the objective lack of social integration. Loneliness, in contrast, refers to the perceived lack of social integration. Loneliness has serious consequences for the well-being of aging persons. Individuals who feel lonely tend to have poorer health, less autonomy, and lower subjective well-being than individuals who do not feel lonely. Lonely individuals even tend to become more socially isolated over time. While prevalence rates of social isolation increase with advancing age, only a minority of older people suffer from severe loneliness, however. Hence, loneliness is not necessarily a consequence of growing old, but rather, depends on specific risk factors (e.g., social needs, social expectations, resources, and competencies). Interventions therefore should be focused on these risk factors (unfulfilled social needs, unmet social perceptions, and lack of resources and competencies).

scholarly journals Forced Social Isolation and Mental Health: A Study on 1,006 Italians Under COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Pancani ◽  
Marco Marinucci ◽  
Nicolas Aureli ◽  
Paolo Riva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
National Policies ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Most countries have been struggling with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic imposing social isolation on their citizens. However, this measure carried risks for people's mental health. This study evaluated the psychological repercussions of objective isolation in 1,006 Italians during the first, especially strict, lockdown in spring 2020. Although varying for the regional spread-rate of the contagion, results showed that the longer the isolation and the less adequate the physical space where people were isolated, the worse the mental health (e.g., depression). Offline social contacts buffered the association between social isolation and mental health. However, when offline contacts were limited, online contacts seemed crucial in protecting mental health. The findings inform about the potential downsides of the massive social isolation imposed by COVID-19 spread, highlighting possible risk factors and resources to account for implementing such isolation measures. Specifically, besides some known factors such as physical space availability, the local contagion rate is critical in moderating the link between social isolation and mental health issues, supporting national policies implementing regional tiers of restriction severity.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with loneliness, social isolation, and neuroticism in the UK Biobank cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie G de Lange ◽  
Tobias Kaufmann ◽  
Daniel S Quintana ◽  
Adriano Winterton ◽  
Lars T. Westlye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
The Uk

Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for establishing knowledge about risk factors for adverse health outcomes associated with loneliness and social isolation. In this study, we show that self-perceived loneliness coincides with objective measures of social isolation as well as the personality trait neuroticism, and that these comorbidities contribute to differential associations with risk factors including depression, social deprivation, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, cardiovascular risk, and aging of the brain. The findings contribute to identifying groups of individuals who may be vulnerable to loneliness and associated health problems, and emphasize the need for public-health initiatives addressing socioeconomic conditions as well as social, mental, and physical health to reduce the risk of loneliness and adverse health outcomes in the population.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Hospitalization Risk Factors Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
J Mary Louise Pomeroy ◽  
Gilbert Gimm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract PURPOSE: This study examines psychosocial risk factors associated with hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. METHODS: Using two waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2011 and 2015, we conducted descriptive and multivariate analyses of individual-level data from a nationally representative sample of 8,003 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. Associations between hospitalization and risk factors including social isolation, depression, and anxiety were assessed. Covariates included gender, race/ethnicity, age, region, insurance type, falls, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Overall, about 20.9% of older adults reported a hospitalization within the past year and 22.2% were socially isolated. The odds of hospitalization were higher for socially isolated adults (OR 1.17; p = .02), for depressed adults (OR 1.25; p = .01), and for individuals with anxiety (OR 1.25; p = .02). Individuals living in the Western region had lower odds of hospitalization (OR 0.71; p = .001), whereas men (OR 1.13; p = .03), those requiring assistance with activities of daily living (OR 1.48; p < .001), and those having one (OR 1.41; p = .03) or more (OR 3.05; p < .001) chronic health conditions had higher odds of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Social isolation, depression, and anxiety represent significant psychosocial risk factors for hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Efforts to reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes for older adults should explore ways to strengthen social integration and improve mental health.

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Changes in Potential Risk Factors for Elder Mistreatment Reported by Caregivers of Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 940-940
Author(s):  
Lena Makaroun ◽  
Scott Beach ◽  
Tony Rosen ◽  
Ann-Marie Rosland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract In previous studies, caregiver (CG) stress, substance use, poor physical health, poor mental health, financial problems, and social isolation have been associated with increased risk of elder mistreatment (EM) for older care recipients (CR). This study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted these CG-related risk factors for EM in a community sample of CGs. A non-probability sample of 433 CGs caring for adult CRs age ≥60 years with physical (76%), cognitive (34%) and mental health (14%) conditions completed a survey on COVID-19 impacts in April-May 2020. CGs had mean age 61 (range 21 – 91), were 75% female and 92% non-Hispanic White. Over 40% of CGs reported doing worse financially since COVID-19. Compared to before COVID-19, 15% reported drinking more alcohol and 64% reported somewhat or greatly increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness. CGs reported that COVID-19 had made caregiving more physically (18.7%), emotionally (48.5%) and financially (14.5%) difficult, interfered with their own healthcare (19%), and led to family conflict over caring for CR (13.2%). Younger CGs (age <65) and those with annual income <$50,000 were more likely to report negative COVID-19 impacts. This study suggests CGs of older adults may be experiencing increased stress, alcohol use, social isolation and negative impacts on their own health and financial situation. Healthcare and social service providers should assess for these EM risk-factors in caregivers and connect them and their care recipients with resources and services to address these stressors to reduce risk of EM during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals A Virtual Companionship Intervention Reduces Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 966-966
Author(s):  
Ellen Rudy ◽  
Kelsey McNamara ◽  
Rajiv Patel ◽  
Corey Sturm
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Free Access ◽  
National Service ◽  
Medicare Advantage ◽  
Virtual Visits ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Loneliness and social isolation are established risk factors for many clinical conditions yet few scalable interventions exist. Papa Inc. is a national service that pairs older adults with “Papa Pals” (empathetic, laypeople) who provide companionship and assistance with everyday tasks. Participants have free access if their Medicare Advantage plan offers it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Papa provided virtual companionship visits via telephone or video. This study evaluated the impact of virtual companionship visits on loneliness status (UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample (N=894) included adults ages 65+ who identified as lonely at baseline and who completed at least one virtual visit between March 18, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Virtual visits were classified into four categories based on participants’ total number of visit minutes: Low (124 ave min), Medium Low (ML) (305 ave min), Medium High (MH) (567 ave min), and High (1360 ave min). Lonely and severely lonely participants engaged a mean of 573 and 673 minutes in the program, respectively. Improvement in loneliness status was associated with greater use of minutes for the ML and MH participants compared to Low participants (ML OR: 1.46 95CI: 1.00 - 2.11, MH OR 1.65 95CI: 1.13 - 2.40). These findings indicate that a virtual companionship intervention can be an impactful and scalable tool for older adults who want to age at home and have limited social support, especially during the uncertain COVID landscape. Further research is warranted to understand persistent loneliness.

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