Depressive symptoms predict increased social and emotional loneliness in older adults

The current study explores social and emotional loneliness, social interactions and humor in a sample of Romanian students, departing from the Schiau 2016 study that found the production and social use of humor to be correlated to a reduced social loneliness in a sample of Romanian older adults. Studies indicate that loneliness can be experienced at any age, and that humor can act as a coping mechanism with life’s difficulties, triggering positive emotions. The current study replicates findings in the literature, indicating that younger adults experience less loneliness than older adults, and use more humor than older adults. Young women in the sample had a significantly more positive attitude towards humor than the men. This study has useful implications for a number of fields, including the economic and marketing sectors. The current student population represents a growing market, and studies indicate that the use of humor by service providers may intervene with any negative feelings that could cause clients to withdraw their engagement and cooperation in the service endeavor (Locke, 1996). Therefore, we argue that, for the retail and service sector, it is important to understand the different approach towards humor by the different age and gender groups discussed in this study.

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Adaptation of “Sociotropy—Self-Sufficience” Questionnaire for Russian Sample on Middle Adults and Ageing People

Experimental Psychology (Russia) ◽

10.17759/exppsy.2021140315 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 217-233

Author(s):

O.Y. Strizhitskaya ◽

M.D. Petrash ◽

I.R. Murtazina ◽

G.A. Vartanyan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Age Groups ◽

Well Being ◽

General Factor ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Independent Analysis ◽

Males And Females ◽

Confirmatory Analysis ◽

Psychometric Validity

Present paper describes that adaptation of a questionnaire on the sociotropy or own assumptions and goals. Paper presents the results of the psychometric validity of the Russian adaptation of the Questionnaire for middle and older adults. Participants were adults aged 35-75 (N=358; M= 49,27; SD = 11,08; 75,5 % — females). Our adaptation was based on a New Zealand version of the “Socitropy/ Autonomy scale” by A. Beck. To check the criterial validity we used “Differential questionnaire of loneliness experiences”, “Social and emotional loneliness scales for middle and older adults”, “Psychological well-being scale by C. Ryff”. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory analysis identified four subscales: “Social non-confidence”, “Dependence on other’s opinion”, “Affiliation” and “Independence”. Psychometric tests proved that all identified scales had internal consistency, and form a general factor. Final confirmatory analysis showed that four scales are comparatively independent. Analysis of the results in age and sex groups showed that the questionnaire maintained its consistency in age groups (middle adulthood, later adulthood, aging) as well as for males and females. Thus, our results revealed that our adaptation could be used on adults and older adults in Russia.

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PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES AND LONELINESS AMONG JAPANESE MIDLIFE AND OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S827-S827 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yang Wang ◽

Yihan Wang ◽

Florian Kohlbacher ◽

Ernest Gonzales

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregiving ◽

Productive Aging ◽

Health Concern ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Productive Activities ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Japanese Male ◽

Male Caregivers ◽

Social Loneliness

Abstract Background: Loneliness among older population is a public health concern shared worldwide. Using the motivational theory for life-span development, this study examined the associations between loneliness (social and emotional) and productive activities among midlife and older adults in Japan. Methods: The Japanese National Data on Lifestyle and Mental Health, a nationally representative sample of midlife and older adults (2011, N=1,575), were used to examine how employment, volunteering, helping family and friends, and informal caregiving was associated with social and emotional loneliness, controlling for multiple risk and protective factors. Results: Family caregiving was related to more social loneliness. Working, helping family, and volunteering were related to less emotional loneliness, while family caregiving was related to more emotional loneliness. Japanese male caregivers reported more social isolation compared to female caregivers. Face-to-face interactions reduced emotional loneliness among caregivers. Discussion: Findings underscored the nuanced difference of social loneliness and emotional loneliness. Social policies that advance productive aging should recognize “unintended consequences” and aim to protect older adults from social and emotional loneliness. Counselling services and social support programs specifically for Japanese male caregivers are warranted.

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Negative old-age life events and well-being in later life: the moderating and mediating role of loneliness

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220004196 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Lise Switsers ◽

Eva Dierckx ◽

Joan Domènech-Abella ◽

Liesbeth De Donder ◽

Sarah Dury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Life Events ◽

Negative Life Events ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Negative Events ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Social Contacts ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Emotional Loneliness

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people – Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015–2018). Setting: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). Participants: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). Results: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.

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Longitudinal Examination of Emotional Functioning in Older Adults After Spousal Bereavement

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbz039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (8) ◽

pp. 1668-1678

Author(s):

Ágnes Szabó ◽

Almar A L Kok ◽

Aartjan T F Beekman ◽

Martijn Huisman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Latent Class ◽

Domain Adaptation ◽

Emotional Functioning ◽

Spousal Bereavement ◽

Cross Domain ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Social Loneliness

Abstract Objectives This study examined trajectories of emotional functioning in three domains (depressive symptoms, emotional, and social loneliness) for individuals who experienced spousal bereavement and investigated cross-domain adaptation. We hypothesized that emotional difficulties after bereavement would be more detectable in emotional loneliness than depressive symptoms or social loneliness. Methods Using latent class growth analysis, we modeled changes in depressive symptoms, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness from 12 years pre- to 12 years post-bereavement on data from 686 older adults to identify trajectories indicating adaptive and maladaptive functioning in each domain. Results Most participants reported depressive symptoms below the clinically relevant threshold by showing a resilient (15.5%) or a slightly elevated (53.5%) trajectory post-bereavement. One third (31%) reported clinically relevant depressive symptoms. More than half of the sample reported emotional loneliness post-bereavement, varying form prolonged (17%), increasing and prolonged (28.3%), and chronically high (8.9%) levels. Remaining participants displayed resilience (13.5%) or recovery (32.3%). Social loneliness showed four trajectories: very low and resilient (43.3%), low and resilient (27.5%), increasing (20.2%), and chronically high (9%) levels. One third of participants maintained adaptive, whereas 12% displayed maladaptive, functioning across all domains post-bereavement. Discussion An increase in emotional loneliness was the most commonly observed change after spousal bereavement. This highlights the central role of emotional loneliness in depression after bereavement.

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Adaptation of the Bulgarian Version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (Short Form) for Adults and Older Adults

Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy ◽

10.17759/cpp.2020280405 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 79-97

Author(s):

O.Y. Strizhitskaya ◽

M.D. Petrash ◽

I.R. Murtazina ◽

G.A. Vartanyan ◽

F.S. Manevsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Short Form ◽

Future Research ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Loneliness Scale ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

The Social ◽

Two Factors

This study aims to adapt and validate the Bulgarian version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale on adults and older adults. We present the results of the psychometric assessment of the questionnaire on a sample of adults aged 35—75 (N=332; Mage=49.45; SD=11.17). Exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors: two factors were identical to the first two sub-scales, the third sub-scale split into two separate factors. Reliability of the new sub-scales was assessed with Cronbach’s α coefficient that showed high levels of reliability for the general scale (α=0.875) and for all four sub-scales (α ranged from 0.843 to 0.873). Confirmatory factor analysis proved the four-factor structure of the adapted scale. The convergent validity of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale was proved by correlation analysis with the Differential Questionnaire of Loneliness Experience. Our study yielded the adequate psychometric characteristics of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for adults and older adults in Russia. In future research, we plan to increase the sample to standardize the scores for the scales.

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Relating Hearing Aid Use to Social and Emotional Loneliness in Older Adults

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2015_aja-15-0055 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 54-61 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Barbara E. Weinstein ◽

Lynn W. Sirow ◽

Sarah Moser

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Significant Decline ◽

Dose Effect ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Care Services ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Emotional Loneliness

Purpose Hearing loss is a risk factor for social isolation and loneliness. We investigated the buffering effects of hearing aid use on perceived social and emotional loneliness. Method Forty older adults participated. Prior to and following the hearing aid fitting, participants completed the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Kamphuis, 1985); a change in feelings of loneliness following hearing aid use was the outcome indicator. Results There was a significant decline in perceptions of loneliness following 4 to 6 weeks of hearing aid use. A dose effect emerged with persons with moderate-to-severe hearing loss experiencing the greatest reduction in perceived loneliness with hearing aid use. Conclusion Associated with poorer health status and higher consumption of health care services, perceived loneliness is a challenge to treat. Hearing aid use appears to be a buffer against the experience of loneliness.

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EMPOWERING VULNERABLE GROUPS IN LATER LIFE: FOCUS ON THE ROLE OF ACTIVITIES, SOCIAL NETWORK, AND ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2139 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S577-S577

Author(s):

An-Sofie Smetcoren ◽

G A Rixt Zijlstra

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Ageing In Place ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Aging Populations

Abstract Europe has been challenged with an intense rise of aging populations facing for example multiple chronic health problems, functional limitations and social and psychological challenges. With increasing age people may become vulnerable, nevertheless, they can still report high levels of well-being despite their deficits. Older adults’ strengths and resources can balance negative experiences and increase positive well-being outcomes. These resources can be personal (e.g. have sufficient income) or stemming from the social environment of the older person (e.g. an involved social network). Hence, this symposium focusses on these strengths and resources and how they might (positively) affect the well-being of vulnerable groups ageing in place. The main objective of the symposium is to give insights into different aspects and strategies that can protect older adults against negative outcomes. Four different studies from Belgium will be presented: Sarah Dury starts with explaining the potential buffering predictor of leisure and civic activities, by uncovering the mechanisms underlying the relationship between multidimensional frailty and well-being. Lise Switsers examines if the absence of social and emotional loneliness can act as a buffer to maintain a good well-being for older adults at risk of frailty. An-Sofie Smetcoren examines how ‘living in solidarity’ in a co-housing project can contribute to ageing in place. Finally, Sylvia Hoens explores the experiences of the older care users and their informal caregivers with live-in migrant care workers and examines how this care can increase their well-being.

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Worry about debt is related to social loneliness in older adults in the Netherlands

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x21000325 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Cäzilia Loibl ◽

Madeleine A. Drost ◽

Martijn Huisman ◽

Bianca Suanet ◽

Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Social Participation ◽

Network Size ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Debt Burden ◽

Social Network Size ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Social Loneliness

Abstract The amount of financial debt held by older adults has grown substantially over the past two decades in Europe. This study examines the association of objective and subjective debt burden with social and emotional loneliness among 1,606 older adults in the Netherlands. Objective debt burden is based on financial terms, such as debt-to-income ratio; whereas subjective debt burden measures the psychological distress caused by financial debt. Data are from the 2015/2016 wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. First, we use means-comparison tests to examine whether older adults who experience social and emotional loneliness differ from older adults who do not experience loneliness regarding their subjective and objective debt burdens. Subsequently, using linear regression models we address two questions: whether social loneliness and emotional loneliness are associated with objective and subjective debt burden; and whether social participation, social network size, anxiety and depression mediate these relationships. We find that subjective debt burden (i.e. the worry related to debt) is a significant predictor of social loneliness, above and beyond the role of social and psychological measures. Objective debt burden, in contrast, is unrelated to social and emotional loneliness. Social participation, social network size, anxiety and depression do not mediate the debt-burden-to-loneliness relationships. The results point to the importance of subjective debt burden in understanding social loneliness and designing interventions.

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Network Correlates of Social and Emotional Loneliness in Young and Older Adults

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0146167201273002 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 281-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Laura R. Green ◽

Deborah S. Richardson ◽

Tania Lago ◽

Elizabeth C. Schatten-Jones

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Emotional Loneliness

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