The Role of the Social Environment on Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 290-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Norstrand ◽  
Allen Glicksman ◽  
James Lubben ◽  
Morton Kleban
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
The Social

The wider social system

2021 ◽  
pp. 238-281
Author(s):  
Robbie Duschinsky ◽  
Sarah Foster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social System ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Epistemic Trust ◽  
School Based ◽  
System P ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

Critics have alleged that in attempting to adapt to the individual-centric environment of contemporary health provision, mentalization-based therapy itself has been complicit with the atomization of society. Conversations with his colleague Peter Fuggle and Dickon Bevington at the Anna Freud Centre have also had a profound role in highlighting to Fonagy the importance of the wider social system around the individual. Pursuing these questions, this chapter begins by examining the growing attention to the social environment shown by Fonagy and colleagues, and especially their exploration of the role of friends and friendships for mentalization and epistemic trust. It will then examine the reflections and research by Fonagy and collaborators on public mental health. The researchers’ hopes regarding school-based prevention will be given particular attention, and the chapter will also show how this work has shaped Fonagy’s efforts as a policy influencer. Finally, the chapter will appraise the considerations offered by Fonagy and colleagues of the role of culture, in particular the issue of whether attention to cultural processes should be regarded as mentalizing, non-mentalizing or as not mentalizing, and whether organizations and societies can themselves be said to institutionalize cultures of mentalizing or non-mentalizing.

scholarly journals Physical and Mental Health, Technology Use, and Loneliness in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 585-585
Author(s):  
Martha Coates ◽  
Zachary Hathaway ◽  
Katelyn Moore ◽  
Yaegin Park ◽  
Jenny Tsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Retirement Community ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Social isolation is a negative outcome of COVID-19. This study examined patterns of physical and mental health and technology use in older adults, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 115 community-dwelling older adults 65 and older (72% female) from the Pennsylvania region via Research Match (N=84) or from a retirement community (N=31). A significant association between loneliness and worsening of health during the pandemic was observed, Fisher’s Exact Test 6.90, p=.03. Those who were lonely demonstrated significantly lower Mental Component Summary Scores (M = 42.75, SD = 11.55) compared to those who were not lonely (M= 55.34, SD= 7.66), t(49) = 5.84, p <.01. Those reporting loneliness were more likely to use a new electronic device to communicate with family during COVID-19 pandemic, X2, (1, N= 107) = 6.24, p =.01. These findings suggest the important role of technology to decrease loneliness in older adults during a pandemic.

The role of coping humor in the physical and mental health of older adults

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Marziali ◽  
Lynn McDonald ◽  
Peter Donahue
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Health Promotion for Older Americans in the 21st Century

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Minkler ◽  
Helen Schauffler ◽  
Kristen Clements-Nolle
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

Objectives. To provide a broad overview of the role of the individual, the physical environment, and the social environment on health and functioning in older adults (65 and older), and to highlight interventions and recommendations for action on each of these levels. Data Sources. Published studies and government reports on health and functioning in older Americans and on the individual, social, and physical environmental contributors to health were identified through journal and government documents review and computer library searches of medical and social science data bases for 1980–1999. Study Selection. Preference was given to published studies and government reports that focused specifically on behavioral and environmental contributors and barriers to health promotion in Americans 65 and older and/or that highlighted creative interventions with relevance to this population. Both review articles and presentations of original research were included, with the latter selected based on soundness of design and execution and/or creativity of intervention described. Data Extraction. Studies were examined and their findings organized under three major headings: (1) behavioral risk factors and risk reduction, including current government standards for prevention and screening; (2) the role of the physical environment; and (3) the role of the social environment in relation to health promotion of older adults. Data Synthesis. Although most attention has been paid to the role of behavioral factors in health promotion for older adults, a substantial body of evidence suggests that physical and social environmental factors also play a key role. Similarly, interventions that promote individual behavioral risk reduction and interventions targeting the broader social or physical environment all may contribute to health in the later years. Conclusions. With the rapid aging of America's population, increased attention must be focused on health promotion for those who are or will soon be older adults. Promising intervention strategies addressing the individual, the physical environment, and the social environment should be identified and tested, and their potential for replication explored, as we work toward a more comprehensive approach to improving the health of older Americans in the 21st century.

scholarly journals Descentralización de los cuidados en Salud Mental: un espacio de reflexión. / Decentralization of cares in mental health: a space for reflection.

2017 ◽  
pp. 395
Author(s):  
Belén Pascual-Vera
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Mutual Support ◽  
Collective Management ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Health Dimension ◽  
The Social ◽  
Salud Mental

Resumen: Aunque la dimensión de salud está mediada por el contexto social, los modelos de atención hegemónicos priorizan la profesionalización e individualización de los cuidados, y la atención desde el entorno social permanece invisibilizada. En este trabajo se presenta un análisis sobre la centralización de los cuidados en salud mental, partiendo de la dicotomía entre cuidados profesionales e informales; y se proponen algunas consideraciones respecto a cómo descentralizar los cuidados. Se plantea la necesidad de revalorizar el papel del entorno social, y generar herramientas de gestión colectiva de la salud-enfermedad. Palabras clave: cuidados, salud mental, cuidadores, apoyo mutuo, revisión crítica. Abstract: Although of health dimension is mediated by the social context, hegemonic models prioritize the professionalization and individualization of cares, and the role of social environment remains invisible. This paper presents a reflection on the centralization of cares in mental health, starting from the dichotomy between professionalized and informal cares. Some reflections on how mental health care could be decentralized were also consider. Revaluating the role of the social environment, and generate tools of collective management of health-disease are suggested. Keywords: cares, mental health, mutual support, caregiver, critical review.

scholarly journals Online Dignity Therapy and Photo Collages: The Narratives of Israeli and Italian Older Adults in the COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 568-568
Author(s):  
Shoshi Keisari ◽  
Talia Elkarif ◽  
Giada Mola ◽  
Ines Testoni ◽  
Silvia Piol
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Arts Based Research ◽  
Digital Photo ◽  
Cross Cultural Study ◽  
The Social ◽  
Past Experiences

Abstract The social isolation imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected older adults, and has impacted both their physical and mental health. The pandemic has led to an increase in ageism associated with poorer mental health and a lower sense of dignity, self-esteem and contribution to society. This cross-cultural study involved 24 participants from Italy and Israel aged 79 to 92. The aim was to develop a brief art-based online intervention to enhance the participants’ sense of dignity and sense of meaning in life during this time of crisis. The process focused on the creation of digital photo-collages that captured the participants’ values through three perspectives: their past experiences, legacy, and future perspectives. It employed an arts-based research methodology to explore the participants’ experiences by analysing their relationship with the artistic expression, the photo collage, and its creative process.

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