scholarly journals Is Bullying Victimization in Childhood Associated With Mental Health in Old Age

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
Bo Hu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Unobserved Heterogeneity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Negative Impacts

Abstract Objective This study investigates the relationship between bullying victimization in childhood and mental health in old age. Methods The study uses data from a nationally representative sample of 9,208 older people aged 60 and older collected through the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2014 and 2015. Results Older people who were bullied in childhood have more severe depressive symptoms and are more likely to be dissatisfied with life than those without the experience of bullying victimization. The negative impacts remain significant after childhood confounders (15 types of familial adversities), four groups of contemporary confounders (demographic, health, social support, and socioeconomic factors), and community-level unobserved heterogeneity are all controlled for. The negative impacts of bullying victimization on mental health are attenuated among people in very old age, which confirms the socioemotional selectivity theory. Discussion The consequences of bullying victimization for mental health are comparable to, or even greater than those of familial adversities and contemporary risk factors. The factors threatening mental health vary considerably for older people in different age groups. Effective anti-bullying schemes in childhood and personalized support in later life can make a substantial contribution to healthy aging.

The ‘loneliness pandemic’: implications for gerontological nursing

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 652-655
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gerontological Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled states to limit free movement, in order to protect at-risk and more vulnerable groups, particularly older adults. Due to old age or debilitating chronic diseases, this group is also more vulnerable to loneliness (perceived discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships) and social isolation (feeling that one does not belong to society). This forced isolation has negative consequences for the health of older people, particularly their mental health. This is an especially challenging time for gerontological nursing, but it is also an opportunity for professionals to combat age stereotypes reinforced with COVID-19, to urge the measurement of loneliness and social isolation, and to rethink how to further adjust interventions in times of crisis, such as considering technology-mediated interventions in these uncertain times.

Psychosocial Links Between Internet Use and Mental Health in Later Life: A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1471-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Forsman ◽  
Johanna Nordmyr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Information And Communication

Research on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) use for active aging is limited. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the link between Internet use and mental health among older adults. The review was conducted based on searches in 9 electronic databases (2002-2014). A meta-synthesis approach was applied, examining quantitative (18) and qualitative (14) studies. The findings from the synthesis of quantitative statistical data indicate an overall positive association between Internet use and mental health and its psychosocial covariates in later life. The psychosocial links between Internet use and mental health identified from the qualitative data were (a) enhanced interpersonal interaction at individual level, (b) increased access to resources within the community, and (c) empowered social inclusion at society level. The results highlight the multi-level psychosocial links between Internet use and mental health, which may be applied in initiatives targeting healthy aging in various settings.

scholarly journals Video-Based Communication and its Association with Loneliness, Mental Health and Quality of Life among Older People during the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
Janni Leung ◽  
Mary C. Ruffolo ◽  
Mariyana Schoultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Study Results

The aim of the study was to examine the use of video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life in older adults (60-69 years versus 70+ years) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia during April/May 2020, and 836 participants in the relevant age groups were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between use of video-based communication tools and loneliness, mental health and quality of life within age groups, while adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Video-based communication tools were found to be more often used among participants aged 60-69 years (60.1%), compared to participants aged 70 or above (51.8%, p < 0.05). Adjusting for all variables, use of video-based communication was associated with less loneliness (β = -0.12, p < 0.01) and higher quality of life (β = 0.14, p < 0.01) among participants aged 60-69 years, while no associations occurred for participants in the oldest age group. The use of video-based communication tools was therefore associated with favorable psychological outcomes among participants in their sixties, but not among participants in the oldest age group. The study results support the notion that age may influence the association between use of video-based communication tools and psychological outcomes amongst older people.

Principles of service provision in old age psychiatry

2020 ◽  
pp. 281-306
Author(s):  
Tom Dening ◽  
Kuruvilla George
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Liaison Psychiatry ◽  
Memory Assessment ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Old Age Psychiatry ◽  
Consultation Liaison Psychiatry

Globally increasing numbers of older people bring both challenges and opportunities for old age psychiatry services. This chapter outlines the history, underlying principles, and policy context for contemporary mental health services for older people. It discusses components of services, including community health teams, memory assessment services, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and in-patient mental health care, as well as newer types of service, such as crisis teams and outreach to care homes. Other recent developments include various models of case management and emphasis on post-diagnostic support. Equally important are issues of equality and access, and the chapter covers several key areas, such as age, gender, sexual orientation, religion and spirituality, and rurality. Major challenges to old age psychiatry come from limited resources and non-recognition of the distinct needs of older adults, as well as the demands of the growing older population, advances in science and technology, and the need to attract talented psychiatrists into this field.

scholarly journals (Non-)Stereotypical representations of older people in Swedish authority-managed social media

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Wenqian Xu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Older People ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Media Representations ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Negative Stereotypes

Abstract Social media facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts and information about older people and later life through online networks and communities in contemporary society. Social media content about older people has become important for understanding media representations of older people, but it has not been sufficiently studied. Recent studies suggest that older people are predominantly represented as a disempowered, vulnerable and homogeneous group on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Because local authorities in many countries have begun using Facebook to reach out to and interact with citizens, they are seen as a significant producer of media content about older people and later life. The purpose of this study is to examine the ways in which Swedish local authorities have visually portrayed older people in their use of Facebook compared with other age groups. This research performed a visual content analysis of 1,000 Facebook posts posted by 33 Swedish local authorities, employing ten analytical aspects to describe and interpret the signs, activities and contexts associated with older people and other age groups (infants, children, adolescents and adults). The study found that the representations of older people on the Facebook pages of local authorities appeared to be not very diverse; specifically, older people (including those in residential care homes) were mainly portrayed as remaining socially engaged and moderately physically capable. This media representation destabilised the prevalent negative stereotypes of older people as being out of touch and dependent; however, it collided with the reality of older individuals with care needs. Additionally, this study argues that older people are represented as inferior to the young in terms of physical and technological competence, based on the connotations of the signs. Given that local authorities have progressively incorporated social media into their daily work, it is expected that this study will contribute to a greater understanding of the ways in which local authorities produce (non-)stereotypical representations of older people on social media.

Primary care management of older people with mental health problems

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Robinson ◽  
Carolyn Chew-Graham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Primary Care Management

This chapter discusses the presentation and primary care management of the commonest mental health problems in older people; these include delirium, delusions, depression and anxiety, and dementia. Primary care is on the front line in dealing with older people who have mental health problems, supporting their families to care for them and managing people with complex co-morbidities in addition to mental health issues. Older people consult their GP almost twice as often as other age groups and up to 40% may have a mental health problem. Cases drawn from the authors’ real-life practice are presented firstly to represent clinical presentations and management within primary care and secondly to demonstrate how primary care links with secondary care and the wider services. The management of patients is discussed largely within reference to UK primary care systems and policy, but the international readership should find parallels within their own healthcare systems.

Clinicians' attitudes to spirituality in old age psychiatry

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 962-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Lawrence ◽  
Julia Head ◽  
Georgina Christodoulou ◽  
Biljana Andonovska ◽  
Samina Karamat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Old Age Psychiatry ◽  
Chaplaincy Service

Background: The aim of this survey is to investigate professional attitudes to the presence and value of spiritual care from Old Age Psychiatrists.Method: All registered members of the Faculty of the Psychiatry of Old Age in the United Kingdom were asked to complete a 21-question semi-structured questionnaire. The first mail shot took place in 2002 and the second mail shot to non-respondents in 2003. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the answers received.Results: The response rate was 46%. The majority of respondents (92%) recognize the importance of spiritual dimensions of care for older people with mental health needs and about a quarter of respondents appear to consider referring patients to the chaplaincy service. In contrast, integration of spiritual advisors within the assessment and management of individual cases is rare.Conclusions: Opinions vary as to whether provision of spiritual care should become widely available to older people with mental health needs who are admitted to hospital. Old age psychiatrists recognize that awareness of spiritual dimensions may be important for their patients. They seem less clear about the role of spiritual advisors and how NHS multidisciplinary clinical teams and spiritual and pastoral care services can be best integrated. Much work needs to be done on developing effective training and operational policies in this area.

Old age mental health services in England: implementing the National Service Framework for Older People

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Tucker ◽  
Robert Baldwin ◽  
Jane Hughes ◽  
Susan Benbow ◽  
Andrew Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
National Service ◽  
National Service Framework ◽  
Service Framework

The Elders: A New Generation

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Scientific Images ◽  
Life Education ◽  
New Generation

ABSTRACTDrawing upon evidence from Britain, this paper advances the proposition that new generations of older people are experiencing a healthier, materially better off and more satisfying old age. It is argued that both popular and scientific images of later life are out-dated and unduly negative. In advancing this analysis, attention is given to key areas of personal experience and social life: education, leisure and holidays, retirement, voluntary activity, spirituality, economic status, health and political involvement. A re-construction of the societal position of older people is indicated.

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