scholarly journals Social Connection in Times of Physical Distancing

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Jeongeun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Current Effort ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Key Stakeholders

Abstract COVID-19 has been especially devastating to older adults. To prevent the spread of the virus, physical distancing has become the norm. As a result, there are fewer opportunities available for face-to-face interaction and social activities, which may be particularly harmful to older adults, given their existing loneliness levels. Thus, this symposium brings together a collection of papers that exemplify the interplay of social connection, activities, and mental health outcomes among older adults facing loneliness. The first paper will discuss how activity diversity is linked to higher loneliness and depressive symptoms among heterosexual and LGBTQ older adults. The second paper will present findings on the changes in social connectedness due to physical distancing and their associated impact on the mental health outcomes among older adults. The third paper will present qualitative findings on the effect of physical distancing on older adults' social connectedness using a mixed-method study. The final paper discusses the challenges faced by older adults in their use of digital media for social connection in the present pandemic and highlights some of the population's untapped strengths, which can be leveraged to help them live prosperous online lives. All papers will address practical tips and recommendations for actions, which key stakeholders can take to support older adults during the pandemic. The discussant, Dr. Kahana, will integrate the four papers and highlight the potential and limits of the current effort to address these issues and consider future inquiry routes.

Older Adults, Social Technologies, and the Coronavirus Pandemic: Challenges, Strengths, and Strategies for Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630512094816
Author(s):  
Ryan C. Moore ◽  
Jeffrey T. Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Social Technologies ◽  
Additional Challenge

COVID-19 is a threat to everyone’s health but can be especially devastating to older individuals. To prevent spread of the virus, social distancing has become the norm worldwide. However, with social distancing comes significantly less face-to-face interaction, which may be particularly harmful to older adults given their existing levels of loneliness. While social technologies can be used to provide critical social interaction during this time of necessary physical distancing, older adults tend to either lack access to these technologies or the skills and experience necessary to use them effectively. Once online, older adults face the additional challenge of being outsized targets of misinformation and scams, both of which abound in the context of COVID-19. In this essay, we discuss the challenges faced by older adults in their use of digital media for social connection in the present pandemic, as well as highlight some of the population’s untapped strengths which can be leveraged to help them live prosperous online lives. Finally, we provide recommendations for actions which key stakeholders can take to support older adults in this pursuit.

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 Potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health: a rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social connection and health

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e042335
Author(s):  
Nexhmedin Morina ◽  
Ahlke Kip ◽  
Thole Hilko Hoppen ◽  
Stefan Priebe ◽  
Thomas Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Meta Analyses

BackgroundThe imperative for physical distancing (mostly referred to as social distancing) during COVID-19 pandemic may deteriorate physical and mental health. We aimed at summarising the strength of evidence in the published literature on the association of physical and mental health with social connection via social isolation, living alone and loneliness.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search in April 2020 to identify meta-analyses using the Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases. The search strategy included terms of social isolation, loneliness, living alone and meta-analysis. Eligible meta-analyses needed to report any sort of association between an indicator of social connection and any physical or mental health outcome. The findings were summarised in a narrative synthesis.ResultsTwenty-five meta-analyses met our criteria, of which 10 focused on physical health and 15 on mental health outcomes. The results suggest that lack of social connection is associated with chronic physical symptoms, frailty, coronary heart disease, malnutrition, hospital readmission, reduced vaccine uptake, early mortality, depression, social anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment in later life and suicidal ideation.ConclusionsThe existing evidence clearly indicates that social connection is associated with a range of poor physical and mental health outcomes. A potential negative impact on these outcomes needs to be considered in future decisions on physical distancing measures.

Exploring and reorienting psychiatrists’ attitudes regarding smoking cessation and its potential to improve mental health outcomes: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110373
Author(s):  
Brooke Short ◽  
Luke Giles ◽  
Aspasia Karageorge ◽  
Lyndon Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Training

Objective: The aims of this study were to explore the knowledge, attitudes, confidence and practices of Australian psychiatrists and psychiatry registrars with regard to smoking cessation with their patients and to promote clinical practice reflection and re-framing. Methods: A mixed-methods questionnaire was developed. Interviews were conducted via telephone or face-to-face utilising participatory action research principles. Qualitative data were de-identified and analysed following a reflexive thematic approach. Results: The questionnaire was completed with 15 participants. The majority worked in the public health sector and agreed that smoking cessation could be used as a clinical tool across mental health services. However, nearly all of the participants reported being unfamiliar with the latest literature. Only one-third of participants reported having had received formal training in smoking cessation. Overwhelmingly, more training was reported as necessary and welcomed by participants. Conclusion: Our study has identified gaps in psychiatrists’ and psychiatry registrars’ knowledge and confidence regarding the promotion, initiation and oversight of smoking cessation strategies for patients. It’s important that psychiatrists lead the way in re-framing and engaging with this issue, and consider smoking cessation as a tool that can improve mental health outcomes. A review of existing Australian policies, guidelines and training is recommended.

The impact of childhood parental quality on mental health outcomes in older adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Burns ◽  
V. Loh ◽  
J.E. Byles ◽  
H.L. Kendig
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Parental Quality ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Impact of Distal Influences and Proximal Resources on the Mental Health of African American Older Adults: Findings From the Georgia Centenarian Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meneka C Johnson Nicholson ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
Megan Gilligan ◽  
Carolyn E Cutrona ◽  
Daniel W Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
African American Older Adults

Abstract Background and Objectives Over the years, a large amount of research has been devoted to the investigation of factors that led to mental health outcomes in older adults. For African American older adults, their lived experiences place them at high risk for mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of early life influences (i.e., education, childhood life events, and childhood financial well-being) and present psychosocial resources (i.e., individual, financial, and social) on current mental health outcomes in a sample of African American older adults in their 60s, 80s, and 100s. Research Design and Methods Using data from the Georgia Centenarian Study, 125 participants were interviewed about their mental health, resources, and early life influences. Results A structural equation model was tested and resulted in a good fit. Results indicated that the more social resources African American older adults had available, the lower the number of depressive symptoms they reported. African Americans with higher levels of financial well-being during childhood reported higher self-rated mental health. Older adults had higher levels of financial resources. Level of education showed a positive relationship with financial resources. Indirect effects of distal influences on health outcomes via current resources were not found. Discussion and Implications The findings are of direct practical relevance and can be used to more readily identify older African Americans who may be susceptible to poorer mental health outcomes based upon the impact of their unique distal and proximal psychosocial resources.

scholarly journals The Urban Built Environment, Walking and Mental Health Outcomes Among Older Adults: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Roe ◽  
Andrew Mondschein ◽  
Chris Neale ◽  
Laura Barnes ◽  
Medhi Boukhechba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes

scholarly journals “This Too shall Pass”: Age-Based Perceptions of Changes in Routine, Coping and Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mamta Saxena ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Medical Complications ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes

The spread of COVID-19 mandated several restrictions, mediated changes in routines, and impacted coping abilities and mental health outcomes. In terms of physical health outcomes, undoubtedly, adults 50 years and older were more severely affected by a higher death rate, medical complications and hospitalization. Nevertheless, how do older adults respond to the uncertainty and scare for life compared to other age groups within the context of COVID-19 remains partially unexplored.

scholarly journals Frailty as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Social Isolation and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mehrabi ◽  
François Béland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This research investigated the effects of social isolation on frailty and health outcomes and tested whether these associations varied across different levels of frailty. We performed a multivariate analysis of data from the first wave of the FRéLE study among 1,643 Canadian older adults aged 65 years and over. We assessed social isolation using social participation, social networks, and support from various social ties, namely, friends, children, extended family, and partner. Frailty predicted disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Less social participation was associated with IADLs, depression, and cognitive decline. The absence of friends was associated with depression and cognitive impairment. Less social support from children and partner was related to comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Overall, social isolation is linked to mental health, rather than physical health. The associations of having no siblings, receiving less support from friends, and participating less in social activities with ADL limitations, depression, and cognitive decline were higher among frail than pre-frail and robust older adults. This study corroborates the pivotal role of social connectedness, particularly the quality of relationships, on the mental health of older adults. Public health policies on social relationships are paramount to ameliorate the health status of frail older adults.

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