Loneliness, isolation and living alone associate with psychological well-being among the older adults in Taipei

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the clustering of loneliness, isolation, and living alone, the risk factors and the associations with psychological wellbeing. Methods: The data were from the 2019 Taipei City Senior Citizen Condition Survey collected by face-to-face interviews, which included aged 60 and above community-based and institution-based samples. The completed sample was 3,853 persons. Loneliness, isolation, and living arrangement were analysed by cluster analysis to define the Loneliness-Isolation-Living Alone clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the related factors to LIL clusters. Results: Four clusters of the older adults were identified and named as following: Connected (44.1%), Alone /Institutionalized (9.2%); Lonely (10.7%); and Isolated (22.0%). Compared with the Connected cluster, the Alone/Institutionalized cluster was more likely to have higher education, more IADL difficulties, more diseases , lower economic satisfaction, more likely to be males, having no spouse, and no children; the Lonely cluster was more likely to poor self-rated health, lower financial satisfaction, feeling less age-friendliness, more likely to be older, female, and no spouse; the Isolated cluster was more likely to have lower education, reported poorer self-rated health, lower economic satisfaction, and being older. The Alone/Institutionalized cluster and the Lonely cluster had higher depressive symptoms; the Alone/Institutionalized, Lonely, and Isolated clusters reported lower life satisfaction and had higher risks of cognitive impairment. Discussion: Loneliness, isolation, and living alone jointly associate with psychological health and well-being. High risk older populations may need social care and encourage social participation to promote health and wellbeing.

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A Longitudinal Analysis of the Association Between Living Arrangements and Health Among Older Adults in China

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027516680854 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 72-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Zi Zhou ◽

Fanzhen Mao ◽

Jiaping Ma ◽

Shichao Hao ◽

Zhengmin (Min) Qian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Health Differences ◽

Adl Disability

This article used the nationally representative Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to explore the associations between living arrangements and health among older adults. Living arrangements were stratified into six categories. Health was measured by self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and cognitive impairment. Random-effects ordered probit regressions were applied. The results indicated that coresidence had a positive effect on self-rated health compared with living alone. After introducing psychological well-being, the health differences observed in living with a spouse and living with both spouse and children were not significant. Participants with each of the living arrangement were more likely to have a higher rate of cognitive impairment and ADL disability than those living alone. Living arrangements were associated with older adults’ health. Psychological well-being was a key factor in this association, which may result from living with a spouse, and could contribute to the self-rated health of older adults.

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Longitudinal Relationship Between Living Alone and Activity Engagement of Chinese Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3309 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 921-921

Author(s):

Fengyan Tang ◽

Ke Li

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Chinese Older Adults

Abstract The living arrangement of older adults plays a key role in their health status and psychological well-being. Yet the relationship between living arrangement and activity engagement remains unclear. Using data from three waves of the nationally representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with a study sample of 7,479 respondents aged 60 or older, this study examined the effect of living alone on the frequency of activity engagement among Chinese older adults. Two types of activity engagement were examined in this study, including social interaction with friends and leisure activity (i.e., play chess, go to a sport or club). The multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed using generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM). Compared with those living with others, older adults living alone were older, more likely to be female and living in urban areas, and with fewer years of education and more functional limitations. The results also indicated that after controlling for a set of covariates, living alone status was significantly associated with the increased likelihood of high and medium frequency of both social interaction and leisure activity in reference to no engagement. This study not only improves the understanding of activity engagement preference of Chinese older adults who are living alone but also indicates the importance of improving community facilities and outdoor spaces to promote activity engagement among older adults.

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Typologies of Loneliness, Isolation and Living Alone Are Associated with Psychological Well-Being among Older Adults in Taipei: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17249181 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (24) ◽

pp. 9181

Author(s):

Hui-Chuan Hsu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Government ◽

Lower Life Satisfaction

Background: Loneliness, isolation, and living alone are emerging as critical issues in older people’s health and well-being, but the effects are not consistent. The purpose of this study was to examine the clustering of loneliness, isolation, and living alone, the risk factors and the associations with psychological well-being. Methods: The data were collected from the 2019 Taipei City Senior Citizen Condition Survey by face-to-face interviews and included a community-based sample (n = 3553). Loneliness, isolation, and living arrangement were analyzed by cluster analysis to define Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors related to Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters, and linear regression was used to examine association of clusters with psychological well-being. Results: Five clusters of older adults were identified and named as follows: Not Lonely-Connected-Others (53.4%), Not Lonely-Isolated-Others (26.6%), Not Lonely-Alone (5.0%), Lonely-Connected (8.1%), and Lonely-Isolated-Others (6.9%). Demographics, financial satisfaction, physical function, family relationship, and social participation were related to the Loneliness-Isolation-Living-Alone clusters. Compared with the Not Lonely-Connected-Others cluster, the Lonely-Connected cluster and Lonely-Isolated-Others cluster had higher depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction, and the Not Lonely-Isolated-Others cluster reported lower life satisfaction; the Not Lonely-Alone cluster was not different. Discussion: Loneliness and isolation are negatively associated with psychological well-being, and living arrangement is not the determinant to loneliness or isolation. Older adults are suggested to strengthen their informal social support, and the government may encourage social care and create an age friendly environment to reduce loneliness and isolation.

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Educational Differences in Self-Rated Health Trends Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living Alone, 1972–2018

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211052718 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 089826432110527

Author(s):

Esther O. Lamidi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Living Alone ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Older Americans ◽

Health Trends ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Educational Differences ◽

Middle Aged Adults

Objectives: This study examines educational differences in living alone and in self-rated health trends among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We used logistic regression to analyze data from the 1972–2018 National Health Interview Survey ( n = 795,239 aged 40–64; n = 357,974 aged 65–84). Results: Between 1972–1974 and 2015–2018, living alone became more prevalent, particularly among men and at lower levels of education. Self-rated health trends varied by living arrangement and education. We found self-rated health declines among middle-aged adults having no college degree and living alone, but trends in self-rated health were mostly stable or even improved among middle-aged adults living with others. Among older adults, self-rated health improved over time, but for the least-educated older Americans living alone, the probability of reporting fair or poor health increased between 1972–1974 and 2015–2018. Discussion: The findings suggest growing disparities by social class, in living arrangements and in self-rated health.

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The association of widowhood and living alone with depression among older adults in India

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-01238-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shobhit Srivastava ◽

Paramita Debnath ◽

Neha Shri ◽

T. Muhammad

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Marital Status ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Effective Sample Size ◽

Nationally Representative

AbstractWidowhood is a catastrophic event at any stage of life for the surviving partner particularly in old age, with serious repercussions on their physical, economic, and emotional well-being. This study investigates the association of marital status and living arrangement with depression among older adults. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the effects of factors such as socio-economic conditions and other health problems contributing to the risk of depression among older adults in India. This study utilizes data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-2017–18). The effective sample size was 30,639 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis have been performed to determine the prevalence of depression. Further, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association between marital status and living arrangement on depression among older adults in India. Overall, around nine percent of the older adults suffered from depression. 10.3% of the widowed (currently married: 7.8%) and 13.6% of the older adults who were living alone suffered from depression. Further, 8.4% of the respondents who were co-residing with someone were suffering from depression. Widowed older adults were 34% more likely to be depressed than currently married counterparts [AOR: 1.34, CI 1.2–1.49]. Similarly, respondents who lived alone were 16% more likely to be depressed compared to their counterparts [AOR: 1.16; CI 1.02, 1.40]. Older adults who were widowed and living alone were 56% more likely to suffer from depression [AOR: 1.56; CI 1.28, 1.91] in reference to older adults who were currently married and co-residing. The study shows vulnerability of widowed older adults who are living alone and among those who had lack of socio-economic resources and face poor health status. The study can be used to target outreach programs and service delivery for the older adults who are living alone or widowed and suffering from depression.

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Age Differences in Work Stress, Exhaustion, Well-Being, and Related Factors From an Ecological Perspective

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16010050 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 50 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Hui-Chuan Hsu

Keyword(s):

Work Stress ◽

Age Differences ◽

Social Factors ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Older Workers ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Well Being ◽

Related Factors ◽

Self Rated Health

The aim of this study was to examine the association of work stress, exhaustion, well-being, and related individual, organizational, and social factors, focusing especially on age differences in Taiwan. The data were from the 2015 Taiwan Social Change Survey. The participants were community-based adults, aged 18 years or older, selected via stratified multistage proportional probability sampling from the Taiwanese population. Well-being was measured by self-rated health and psychological health. Descriptive analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis were used. Work stresses were related to three types of exhaustion, and exhaustion was related to well-being. Individual working style (being creative and using new methods), organizational factors (job satisfaction, work-family conflict, discrimination against women), and social factors (difficult finding a good job than older cohorts) were related to well-being. Older age was related to worse self-rated health, and age showed a reverse-U-shaped relation with psychological health. The resilience of older workers could be an opportunity for the global active aging trend, and interventions to support older workers in organizations would be beneficial.

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Social Disconnection and Living Arrangements among Older Adults: The Singapore Chinese Health Study

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000516626 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Jon Barrenetxea ◽

Yi Yang ◽

An Pan ◽

Qiushi Feng ◽

Woon-Puay Koh

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Health Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Singapore Chinese ◽

Social Disconnection

Introduction: Although living alone is associated with social disconnection, older adults could be socially disconnected despite living with others. Understanding the factors associated with social disconnection by living arrangement could help identify vulnerable older adults in the community. We examined the sociodemographic and health factors associated with social disconnection among two groups of older adults: those living alone and those living with others. Methods: We used data from 16,943 community-dwelling older adults from the third follow-up of the Singapore Chinese Health Study (mean age: 73 years, range: 61–96 years). We defined social disconnection as having no social participation and scoring in the lowest decile on the Duke Social Support Scale of perceived social support. We ran logistic regression models to study the sociodemographic (age, gender, and education) and health (self-rated health, instrumental limitations, cognitive function, and depression) factors associated with social disconnection, stratified by living arrangement. Results: About 6% of our participants were socially disconnected. Although living alone was significantly associated with social disconnection (OR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.58–2.35), 85.6% of socially disconnected older adults lived with others, most of them (92%) with family. Lower education level, cognitive impairment, fair/poor self-rated health, instrumental limitations, and depression were independently associated with social disconnection. Among those living alone, men were more likely to experience social disconnection than women (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.43–3.32). Discussion/Conclusion: Though living alone is associated with social disconnection, most socially disconnected individuals lived with family. Community interventions could focus on those in poor health despite living with family and older men living alone.

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Tooth loss and associated self-rated health and psychological and subjective wellbeing among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study in India

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-12457-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

T. Muhammad ◽

Shobhit Srivastava

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Tooth Loss ◽

Subjective Wellbeing ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Self Rated Health

Abstract Background Losing teeth has been considered as part of normal aging. However, in developing countries, tooth loss among older adults is shown to be more negatively associated with self-image and quality of life compared to their western counterparts. This study examines the association of tooth loss with self-rated health and psychological and subjective wellbeing among older adults in India. Methods Data were derived from the "Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India" (BKPAI) survey which was carried out in 2011. The final sample size for the analysis was 9231 older adults. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis along with binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to fulfil the objective of the study. Results A proportion of 12.3% of older adults reported complete tooth loss. It was found that older adults who reported tooth loss were 2.38 times significantly more likely to have poor self-rated health (SRH) [2.38; CI: 1.99,2.83] than older adults who did not report tooth loss. The odds of low psychological health were high among older adults who suffered from tooth loss than their counterparts [OR: 1.59; CI: 1.33,1.91]. Older adults who reported tooth loss had 65% significantly higher odds of low subjective well-being than older adults who did not report tooth loss [OR: 1.65; CI: 1.38,1.97]. Conclusion Complete loss of teeth is associated with older individuals’ poor SRH as well as low psychological and subjective well-being, but such a consequence is avoidable by practising the efforts to maintain good oral health.

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Effects of a Movement-Based Mind-Body Intervention in Managing Osteoarthritis Symptoms in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1767 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 458-458

Author(s):

Juyoung Park ◽

Carson Herron

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Women ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Pain Interference ◽

Randomized Control ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract In a secondary analysis, this study examined differences in age (younger vs. older geriatric groups), gender, and living arrangement (living alone vs. living with others) in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who utilized chair yoga (CY) as an type of movement-based mind-body intervention (MMBI) for symptom management. A two-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized control trial was used to examine effects of CY (twice-weekly 45-minute sessions for 8 weeks) on pain interference, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes by gender, age, and living arrangement in older adults with OA who could not participate in traditional exercise. A total of 112 older adults completed CY or a health education program (HEP) and participated in five data collection points. Older women in the CY group showed greater reduction in pain interference during the CY intervention than those in HEP, F(4, 86) = 3.255, p = .016, η2 = .131. The younger group (ages 61 to 74) had decreased depression scores during the intervention, F(4, 87) = 2.598, p = .042, η2 = .107. Regardless of the intervention (CY or HEP), depression scores in older adults who were living alone decreased substantially during the intervention. Group-based and supervised CY interventions are recommended for older adults with OA to reduce pain interference, reduce depressive symptoms, and develop social networks. Online-based synchronous CY sessions may address physical activity needs and improve mental well-being in this population in light of physical distancing practices due to COVID-19.

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Association of self-perceived income sufficiency with cognitive impairment among older adults: a population-based study in India

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03257-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

T. Muhammad ◽

Shobhit Srivastava ◽

T. V. Sekher

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Daily Living ◽

Basic Needs ◽

Well Being ◽

Asset Ownership ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Greater cognitive performance has been shown to be associated with better mental and physical health and lower mortality. The present study contributes to the existing literature on the linkages of self-perceived income sufficiency and cognitive impairment. Study also provides additional insights on other socioeconomic and health-related variables that are associated with cognitive impairment in older ages. Methods Data for this study is derived from the 'Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India'. The final sample size for the analysis after removing missing cases was 9176 older adults. Descriptive along with bivariate analyses were presented to show the plausible associations of cognitive impairment with potential risk factors using the chi-square test. Also, binary logistic regression analysis was performed to provide the relationship between cognitive impairment and risk factors. The software used was STATA 14. Results About 43% of older adults reported that they had no source of income and 7.2% had income but not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Older adults with income but partially sufficient to fulfil their basic needs had 39% significantly higher likelihood to suffer from cognitive impairment than older adults who had sufficient income [OR: 1.39; OR: 1.21–1.59]. Likelihood of cognitive impairment was low among older adults with asset ownership than older adults with no asset ownership [OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72–0.95]. Again, older adults who work by compulsion (73.3%) or felt mental or physical stress due to work (57.6%) had highest percentage of cognitive impairment. Moreover, older adults with poor self-rated health, low instrumental activities of daily living, low activities of daily living, low subjective well-being and low psychological health were at increased risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion The study highlights the pressing need for care and support and especially financial incentives in the old age to preserve cognitive health. Further, while planning geriatric health care for older adults in India, priority must be given to financially backward, with no asset ownership, with poor health status, older-older, widowed, and illiterate older individuals, as they are more vulnerable to cognitive impairment.

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