Being alone in later life: loneliness, social isolation and living alone

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Victor ◽  
Sasha Scambler ◽  
John Bond ◽  
Ann Bowling
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
Definition Of

IntroductionThe context for the review of loneliness and social isolation in later life is that of ‘successful aging’ and ‘quality of life’. The term ‘quality of life‘ includes a broad range of areas of life and there is little agreement about the definition of the term. Models of quality of life range from identification of ‘life satisfaction’ or ‘social wellbeing’ to models based upon concepts of independence, control, and social and cognitive competence. However, regardless of how the concept of quality of life is defined, research has consistently demonstrated the importance of social and family relationships in the definition of a ‘good quality of life’.

scholarly journals Social Wellbeing and Quality of Life of People Living with Disorders of Sex Development and Sex Re-Assignment in Nigeria: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdurrahman Sani ◽  
Ismaila Mungadi ◽  
Ismi Ismail ◽  
Mohd Arshad ◽  
Kim Soh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
Social Wellbeing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological

Disorders of sex development is a complex interaction between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, making it necessary for the multidisciplinary team to decide on the individualized patient basis. The characteristics of the individual patient, family and the social background are taken into consideration in order to derive maximum benefit. In developing countries, many people living with disorders of sex development faced serious psychological and social traumas such as marginalization, rejection, isolation, feeling of sadness, feeling of uncertainty, and feeling of shame. Therefore, this study explores the social wellbeing and quality of life of people with disorders of sex development in Nigeria. We used qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the social wellbeing and quality of people with disorders of sex development in Nigeria. We recruited thirteen participants using purposive sampling technique from Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. We conducted data collection exercise using face to face interviews, transcribed, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis technique with the aid of NVivo software. Four themes emerged from the data that describe the social wellbeing and quality of life of people with disorders of sex development in Nigeria. These themes are socialization and social isolation, intimate relationships, sexuality, and relationships with people. Participants experienced social isolation, marital problems, poor sexual experience, absence of sexual pleasure and stigmatization. People with disorders of sex development had poor social wellbeing which negatively affects their quality of life. Findings would inform the multidisciplinary team the need to incorporate social wellbeing of people with disorders of sex development in their treatment and the need to explore public perception on people living with disorders of sex development in Nigeria.

The Effect of Material and Social Deprivation on Well-Being of Elderly in Europe

2020 ◽  
pp. 002073142098185
Author(s):  
Marco Terraneo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Material Deprivation ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Path Models

In this work, attention is paid to 2 explanatory factors of successful aging. The first is material deprivation. There is growing evidence that poverty is associated with the onset of physical and mental disorders and, broadly, with aspects such as life satisfaction and happiness. The second factor is social deprivation. Social exclusion affects health due to lack of emotional and concrete support; moreover, participation in social activities among older people is associated with greater longevity and a lower risk of disability. The study describes the effect of material and social deprivation on depression (measured through the EURO-D scale) and quality of life (through CASP-12 scale), for individuals aged 50 and older in 14 European countries. Data is derived from Wave 5 of the SHARE project. To estimate the effect of material and social deprivation on outcomes and to determine whether it is moderated by the country in which people live, we apply 2 multi-group path models, respectively, for people aged 65 or younger and for those aged 66 years or older. Findings indicate that higher material and social deprivation is associated with greater levels of stress and worse quality of life. The effect of social deprivation would be stronger than that of material deprivation, and this result seems to be valid in all countries considered, although their intensity varies significantly between them.

scholarly journals The Long Shadow of Youth: Girls’ Transition From Full-Time Education and Later-Life Subjective Well-Being in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baowen Xue ◽  
Penny Tinkler ◽  
Anne McMunn
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
English Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether the timing and nature of women’s transitions out of full-time (FT) education are related to later-life subjective well-being and the life-course experiences that might explain any associations seen. Methods Data are from women in Wave 3 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing who have participated in the life history interview and were aged 50+ at the interview (n = 3,889). Using multichannel sequence analysis, we identified 6 types of transition out of FT education (ages 14–26). Regression models were used to examine associations between transition types and life satisfaction, quality of life, and depressive symptoms at age 50+. Results Women who made early transitions to married parenthood and FT domestic labor had lower levels of well-being on all 3 later-life well-being outcomes (p < .01), compared to women who made later transitions to family life and remained employed. Women who remained single up to age 26 also had lower life satisfaction (p < .05) and quality of life (p < .01) in later life than their counterparts who married and had children. These associations were explained by the life-course socioeconomic and relationship pathways. Advantaged childhood socioeconomic circumstances and higher educational qualifications set “Later Marriage and Later employment” women apart onto advantaged trajectories and a better quality of life later (p < .01). Discussion The timing and nature of exits from FT education played a pivotal role in setting people onto life-course trajectories that influence well-being in later life for this older generation of women.

Social well-being and standard of living as subjective and objective indicators of population's life quality. The relation between the level of happiness and the quality of life of the population

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
Olga Vasilieva
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Actor ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Objective Indicators

The article is devoted to the issue of sociological measurement of the quality of life of the population. It is argued that the key criteria for the quality of life of the population in the modern world are precisely non-economic indicators - such as subjective well-being, level of happiness, and social mood. The article provides evidence of the need for a subjective way of measuring the quality of life, which allows us to assess the living conditions of people through the prism of their real needs. The article clarifies the definition of quality of life: quality of life is an integrative or complex characteristic of the existence of the population, which can be measured by objective indicators of its standard of living or subjective assessments by members of society of the degree of satisfaction of their own needs. The analysis of the different ways of assessing the quality of life the author comes to the conclusion that the result of an objective method of measuring quality of life is the standard of living of the population, and the result of the subjective method of measuring quality of life - social well-being (subjective well-being, life satisfaction). The author insists that mixing subjective and objective indicators when constructing averaging quality of life indices is inappropriate, since in this case there is a risk of getting an irrelevant average. The conclusion is argued that it is advisable to make objective and subjective types of measurement of quality of life separately from each other, while comparing them with each other. The key input is formulated: the quality of life of a social actor through the prism of the sociological dimension is a measurement of social well - being (subjective well-being, or life satisfaction), and the position of a social actor in society through the prism of the sociological dimension is a social mood. At the same time, the phenomenon of social mood is represented by a synthesis of its static and dynamic components, the first of which represents social well - being, the second-orientation to value experiences and the corresponding readiness to act in a certain way. It is argued that the phenomenon that most generally characterizes the happiness system of an individual or group social subject (actor) is social mood. The definition of the concept of social mood is formulated as a General indicator of the position of a social actor in social reality, according to which social mood is a complex emotional and rational characteristic of an individual or group social actor characteristic of a certain period of time, determined by various aspects of the activity of this actor and determining its practical activity.

Measuring loneliness in later life: a comparison of differing measures

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Victor ◽  
Linda Grenade ◽  
Duncan Boldy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
High Level

The social environment is one of the key factors determining the quality of life of older people. Research has consistently demonstrated a strong and positive relationship between social engagement in all forms but especially participation within kin and wider social networks, and a high quality of life. However, this recognition of the importance of this relationship is not new. In the early 1960s, the ‘activity theorists’ of aging posited that the key to a good old age was the maintenance of high levels of activity, including social participation and the maintenance of kin- and friendship-based relationships. This resonates with the ideas of Rowe and Kahn who suggest that a high level of social engagement is a key factor in achieving the individually and socially desired goal of ‘successful aging’. Furthermore, they argue that, with advanced age, the social context, in combination with the physical environment, exerts a more potent influence upon the experience of later life than either intrinsic genetic or biological factors. Whilst the prescriptive strictures of activity theory and successful aging remain the subject of debate, there seems little doubt that the social environment continues to exert both a powerful influence upon, and provides a context within which people experience old age, both individually and collectively.

Generativity Among Elderly in a Rural Area of Maharashtra, India: Correlates and Relationship With Quality of Life Approved

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-285
Author(s):  
Truls Østbye ◽  
Shayna Clancy ◽  
Kayla Stankevitz ◽  
Rahul Malhotra ◽  
Olajumoke Ogundare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Concern For Others ◽  
Living Children ◽  
Positive Health Outcomes ◽  
Familial Correlates ◽  
The Relationship

Generativity, “a concern for others and a need to contribute something to the next generation,” is a dimension of successful aging in and of itself, but also predicts other positive health outcomes. We examine its manifestations and correlates among elderly in rural India and assess the association between generativity and quality of life (QoL). Three hundred and forty-eight rural Indian elderly completed an interviewer-assisted questionnaire assessing generativity, QoL, and other personal and familial factors. Regression models were used to examine potential correlates of generativity and the relationship between generativity and QoL. Higher education, inheritance income, more living children, and a son/daughter living in the home predicted higher levels of generativity. Higher levels of generativity were associated with higher QoL. There are both personal and familial correlates of generativity, and family relationships are important for generative development. Family-oriented interventions to increase generativity among elderly Indians could improve QoL.

scholarly journals Socio-Demographic Variables and Successful Aging of the Angolan Elderly

Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Galiana ◽  
Melchor Gutiérrez ◽  
Patricia Sancho ◽  
Elizabeth-Hama Francisco ◽  
José M. Tomás
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Dependent Variables

The proportion of elderly people is growing faster than any other age group. Amongst them, the group of oldest old is indeed the segment of the elderly population with the fastest growth rate. The increase in the proportion of elderly in the Angolan population makes research on this area badly needed. Within the theoretical framework of successful aging, the study aims to test for sociodemographic group differences in perceived health, life satisfaction, and social relations in Angolan elderly. The dependent variables are three of the components of what has been called successful aging. Data came from a cross-sectional survey of elderly people living in Luanda. 1003 Angolan elderly were surveyed on sociodemographic information, perceived health, life satisfaction, and social support. MANOVAs were calculated to test for mean differences in the dependent variables. Results permit to conclude that the factors associated with the largest differences on the Angolan elderly’s quality of life and social relations were age (becoming oldest old) and institutionalization. The interactions of several factors with age pointed out that the oldest old were clearly a group in which the decreased quality of life due to becoming oldest old could not be compensated by other factors, as it was the case in the group of young old.

A Futures Study on the Quality Of Life from the Point Of View of Iranian Youth

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Sina Saeedy ◽  
Mojtaba Amiri ◽  
Mohammad Mahdi Zolfagharzadeh ◽  
Mohammad Rahim Eyvazi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Futures Studies ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University

Quality of life and satisfaction with life as tightly interconnected concepts have become of much importance in the urbanism era. No doubt, it is one of the most important goals of every human society to enhance a citizen’s quality of life and to increase their satisfaction with life. However, there are many signs which demonstrate the low level of life satisfaction of Iranian citizens especially among the youth. Thus, considering the temporal concept of life satisfaction, this research aims to make a futures study in this field. Therefore, using a mixed model and employing research methods from futures studies, life satisfaction among the students of the University of Tehran were measured and their views on this subject investigated. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed together in order to test the hypotheses and to address the research questions on the youth discontentment with quality of life. Findings showed that the level of life satisfaction among students is relatively low and their image of the future is not positive and not optimistic. These views were elicited and discussed in the social, economic, political, environmental and technological perspectives. Keywords:  futures studies, quality of life, satisfaction with life, youth

Assessment of multimorbidity of diseases in geriatric practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Mark Oprenko
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
The Core ◽  
Definition Of

The definition of the multimorbidity concept reveals insufficient specificity of the comorbidity and multimorbidity definitions and, as a result, confusion in the use of these terms. Most authors are unanimous that the “core” of multimorbidity is presence of more than one disease in a patient. These coexisting diseases can be pathogenetically interconnected and non-interconnected. Regardless, the degree of multimorbidity always affects prognosis and quality of life.

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