scholarly journals Changes in Social Networks as a Response to Loneliness Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 580-580
Author(s):  
Abhijit Visaria ◽  
Pildoo Sung ◽  
Angelique W M Chan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

Abstract The expression of loneliness suggests perceived social isolation and the lack of meaningful, rewarding and desired social connections. In this paper we seek to estimate whether loneliness among older adults is related to subsequent changes in two attributes of their social networks, i.e. the size and frequency of contact with network members. We use the Panel on Health and Ageing of Singaporean Elderly, a nationally representative study of older adults aged 60 years and older, conducted in 2009 (N=4990) with two follow-up waves in 2011 and 2015, and measure loneliness in terms of relational connectedness, i.e. feeling a lack of companionship, and social connectedness, i.e. feeling left out. Our preliminary analysis shows that loneliness is associated with a subsequent reduction in the size but not strength of social networks. We further propose to assess the causal relationship using cross-lagged panel analysis, thereby accounting for the possibility of a reciprocal relationship.

scholarly journals Social Networks and Depression Over Time: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Social Isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 407-408
Author(s):  
Abhijit Visaria ◽  
Pildoo Sung ◽  
Angelique W M Chan
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract It is well established that a strong social network is an important factor for successful ageing, specifically for promoting and maintaining psychological wellbeing at older ages. Strong social networks are a source of social support especially at a time of need, and can also help older adults remain connected, active, and engaged in group activities. In this study, we seek to better understand the underlying pathways in the relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms, specifically comparing the extent to which the relationship is mediated by the receipt of material/monetary support, relative to perceived social isolation. We use data from the Panel on Health and Aging of Singaporean Elderly, a nationally-representative study of older Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 years and older in 2009 (N=4990), with two follow-up surveys in 2011 (N=3103) and 2015 (N=1572). We conduct cross-lagged mediation analysis, and control for a number of potential confounders including cognitive function, chronic physical ailments, socioeconomic status, and demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, and family size. Our preliminary analysis shows that a reciprocal relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms is mediated to a larger extent by social isolation compared to weaker social support.

scholarly journals Can We Replace Our Human Connection With Technology?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Nicholas Cone ◽  
Jeongeun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to social distancing protocols, subsequently increasing social isolation for older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between social connectedness and mental health outcomes. Leveraging NHATS, a nationally representative study (n = 2,558, Mage = 79.20, SDage = 6.25), we examined the association between the method of social connectedness and mental health outcomes. Descriptive analyses revealed older adults are using various methods (e.g., in-person, phone, and video calls) to remain connected with their social networks during COVID-19. Findings from all of the linear regression analyses indicated phone or video calls are associated with negative affect, whereas in-person visits are associated with lower levels of negative affect. These findings suggest substituting in-person visits with video calls or phones may not be sufficient to relieve their loneliness and negative affect. Future studies should investigate this effect on physical or emotional health outcomes.

scholarly journals Social connectedness and political behavior

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316801771917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Lyons Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Socially Isolated

One of the focal points of social networks research has been the process by which individuals utilize information and cues from their social networks and communities to form political attitudes and make decisions about how and when to participate in politics. Not all individuals, however, have large social networks or are strongly connected to their local social environments. Furthermore, despite concerns about rising social isolation in American society, the role that relatively socially disconnected individuals play in politics is not well understood. Using a nationally representative data set with information about communities, social networks, and individual-level variables, this paper examines social connectedness and political behavior. Those who are more socially isolated, it is found, are neither more conservative nor liberal on any particular political issues, but clearly participate in politics less than individuals who are well connected to those around them. Finally, while individual political ideology is not correlated with isolation, the contextual influence of the local environment on individual preferences is correlated with social connectedness. When compared with well connected citizens, individuals who are more isolated are less likely to have their vote choices influenced by those around them. Individual social connectedness conditions the effect of contextual social influence.

Association of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure With All-Cause Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Observational Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110552
Author(s):  
Qian Lian ◽  
Tazeen H. Jafar ◽  
John C. Allen ◽  
Stefan Ma ◽  
Rahul Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives To assess the association of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with mortality among older adults in Singapore. Methods Association of SBP and DBP measured in 2009 for 4443 older adults (69.5±7.4 years; 60–97 years) participating in a nationally representative study with mortality risk through end-December 2015 was assessed using Cox regression. Results Higher mortality risk was observed at the lower and upper extremes of SBP and DBP. With SBP of 100–119 mmHg as the reference, multivariable mortality hazard ratios [HRs (95% confidence interval)] were SBP <100 mmHg: 2.41 (1.23–4.72); SBP 160–179 mmHg: 1.51 (1.02–2.22); and SBP ≥180 mmHg: 1.78 (1.12–2.81). With DBP of 70–79 mmHg as the reference, HRs were DBP <50 mmHg: 2.41 (1.28–4.54) and DBP ≥110 mmHg: 2.16 (1.09–4.31). Discussion Management of high blood pressure among older adults will likely reduce their mortality risk. However, the association of excessively low SBP and DBP values with mortality risk needs further evaluation.

scholarly journals Combined Effects of Ethnicity and Education on Burden of Depressive Symptoms over 24 Years in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Hispanic White

Ethnicity and educational attainment are among the major social determinants of depression in the general population. While high education credentials protect individuals against depressive symptoms, this protection may be weaker for ethnic minority groups such as Hispanic Whites compared to the majority group (non-Hispanic Whites). Built on marginalization-related diminished returns (MDRs), the current study used 24-year follow-up data from a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults to explore ethnic variation in the protective effect of education levels against the burden of depressive symptoms over time. Data for this analysis were borrowed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1992–ongoing), a nationally representative longitudinal study. HRS followed 8314 middle-aged and older adults (50+ years old) for up to 24 years. From this number, 763 (9.2%) were Hispanic White, and 7551 (90.8%) were non-Hispanic White Americans. Education level was the independent variable. We had two outcomes. Firstly, using cluster analysis, individuals were categorized to low- and high-risk groups (regarding the burden of depressive symptoms over 24 years); secondly, average depressive symptoms were observed over the 24 years of follow up. Age and gender were the covariates. Ethnicity was the moderator. Linear and logistic regression were used for analysis. Logistic regression showed that, overall, high educational credentials reduced the odds of chronic depressive symptoms over the 24 years of follow-up. Linear regression also showed that higher years of education were associated with lower average depressive symptoms over time. Both models showed statistically significant interactions between ethnicity and graduation, indicating a smaller protective effect of high education against depressive symptoms over the 24 years of follow-up time among Hispanic with respect to non-Hispanic White people. In line with the MDRs, highly educated Hispanic White Americans remain at high risk for depressive symptoms, a risk that is unexpected given their education. The burden of depressive symptoms, however, is lowest for highly educated non-Hispanic White Americans. Policies that exclusively focus on equalizing educational gaps across ethnic groups may fail to eliminate the ethnic gap in the burden of chronic depressive symptoms, given the diminished marginal health return of education for ethnic minorities. Public policies must equalize not only education but also educational quality across ethnic groups. This aim would require addressing structural and environmental barriers that are disproportionately more common in the lives of ethnic minorities across education levels. Future research should test how contextual factors, residential segregation, school segregation, labor market practices, childhood poverty, and education quality in urban schools reduce the health return of educational attainment for highly educated ethnic minorities such as Hispanics.

scholarly journals NEIGHBORHOOD AGE COMPOSITION AND SELF-RATED HEALTH: FINDINGS FROM A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S64-S64
Author(s):  
Amanda Lehning ◽  
Amanda J Lehning ◽  
Nicole Mattocks ◽  
Kyeongmo Kim ◽  
Richard J Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Neighborhood Change ◽  
Age Composition ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Conceptual Work

Abstract Neighborhood age composition is an understudied area. Furthermore, existing empirical and conceptual work is conflicting, with some indicating neighborhoods with more older adults are beneficial and other scholarship suggesting it can be detrimental. Using data from 7,197 older adults from the first wave (2011) of the National Health & Aging Trends Study combined with census tract data from the National Neighborhood Change Database, we examined the association between neighborhood age composition and self-rated health. Findings from logistic regression models indicate those living in neighborhoods with a growing concentration of older residents are significantly more likely to report lower self-rated health compared to those living in a neighborhood in which older adults overall are declining (β=1.51, p &lt; .05) or are becoming diluted by younger residents (β=.66, p &lt; .05). Results have implications for interventions promoting aging in place, particularly for those who may be stuck in place in age-concentrated neighborhoods.

scholarly journals Correlates of tobacco product initiation among youth and adults in the USA: findings from the PATH Study Waves 1–3 (2013–2016)

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. s191-s202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin A Kasza ◽  
Kathryn C Edwards ◽  
Zhiqun Tang ◽  
Cassandra A Stanton ◽  
Eva Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Tobacco Initiation

ObjectiveTo report on demographic and tobacco product use correlates of tobacco product initiation (cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), cigars, hookah and smokeless tobacco) among the US population.DesignData were from the first three waves (2013–2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study of US youth (aged 12–17 years) and adults (aged 18+ years). Never users of at least one type of tobacco product at Wave 1 (W1, 2013/14) or Wave 2 (W2, 2014/15) were included (n=12 987 youth; n=25 116 adults). Generalised estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between demographic and tobacco product use characteristics at baseline, and tobacco product initiation at follow-up (ever, past 30 day (P30D), frequent (use on 20 or more of thepast 30 days)) over two 1-year periods (W1–W2 and W2–Wave 3).ResultsYouth aged 15–17 years were more likely than youth aged 12–14 years and adults aged 18–24 years were more likely than older adults to initiate P30D tobacco use across products; non-heterosexuals were more likely than heterosexuals to initiate P30D cigarette and ENDS use. Older adults were more likely than young adults, and males were more likely than females, to be frequent users of ENDS on initiation. Ever use of another tobacco product predicted P30D initiation of each tobacco product.DiscussionOther tobacco product use and age predict P30D tobacco initiation across products whereas associations with other demographic characteristics vary by product. Continued contemporary evaluation of initiation rates within the changing tobacco product marketplace is important.

scholarly journals Older People and Social Connectedness: How Place and Activities Keep People Engaged

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene H. Yen ◽  
Janet K. Shim ◽  
Airin D. Martinez ◽  
Judith C. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Future

To understand how older adults perceive and navigate their neighborhoods, we examined the implications of activity in their neighborhoods for their health. We interviewed 38 adults (ages 62–85) who lived in San Francisco or Oakland, California. Seven key themes emerged: (1) people express a wide range of expectations for neighborliness, from “we do not bother each other” to “we have keys to each other’s houses”, (2) social distance between “other” people impede a sense of connection, (3) ethnic differences in living arrangements affect activities and activity locations, (4) people try to stay busy, (5) people able to leave their homes do many activities outside their immediate residential neighborhoods, (6) access to a car is a necessity for most, and (7) it is unusual to plan for the future when mobility might become limited. Multiple locations influence older adults’ health, including residential neighborhoods. Older adults value mobility, active lives, and social connections.

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