scholarly journals Social Isolation, Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Neighborhood Environment of Older Adults During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 727-727
Author(s):  
Ke Li ◽  
Fengyan Tang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perceived Neighborhood Environment

Abstract Social isolation has been recognized as a social problem with negative effects on psychological well-being. Older adults are disproportionately affected by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 Project, this study examined the relationship between social isolation and depressive symptoms among two groups of respondents differentiated by whether themselves or their social relationships were diagnosed with COVID-19. This study also explored the moderating role of perceived neighborhood environment. Depressive symptoms were measured using the eight-item CES-D. The index of social isolation was generated using five indicators, including living alone, no social participation, and less than monthly contact with children, family members, and friends. The moderator assessed two aspects of the neighborhood environment, including physical disorder and social cohesion. The results of bivariate analyses showed that respondents who were affected by COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be female, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic Black, and with lower levels of social isolation. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that social isolation was associated with more depressive symptoms, but this relationship was found to be only significant among respondents who were affected by COVID-19. Perceived neighborhood environment significantly moderated the relationship, as the effect of social isolation on depressive symptoms was stronger for respondents with more neighborhood physical disorders and less social cohesion. This study has implications for practice and policy, in that it underscored the importance of enacting strategies to improve the neighborhood environment, particularly for socially isolated older adults during the COVID-19.

Neighborhood Effects on the Health of Chinese Older Adults: Beyond the Rural and Urban Dichotomy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuekang Li ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Neighborhood Effects ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Neighborhood Level

Abstract Background and Objectives The associations between physical frailty and depressive symptoms among older individuals were established in the existing literature. Taking the person–environment perspective, we argue that neighborhood environment could either buffer the stress derived from being physically vulnerable or worsen it by adding another layer of stressors in the environmental context when physical health declined. The objectives of this study were to explore to what extent the neighborhood-level characteristics moderate the relationship between physical frailty and depressive symptoms. Research Design and Methods Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011 wave, 6,245 individuals aged 60 years and older were included for analyses. Multilevel mixed-effects models were fitted to examine the moderating effects of urbanicity and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) on the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms among older adults, controlling for individual-level characteristics. Results Results showed a stronger relationship between deterioration in physical health and depressive symptoms in rural neighborhoods and neighborhoods with lower SES, after controlling for individual-level SES. Also, the moderating effects of the neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors remained after controlling for urbanicity, indicating that neighborhood SES works beyond the rural–urban contexts. Discussion and Implications Findings from this study demonstrate the important roles of neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics in reshaping, and the need to redefine, China’s rural–urban dichotomy. The findings also identified neighborhoods with low SES as potential targets for policy and practice to reduce the stress associated with health decline.

Displaced Older Adults’ Reactions to and Coping With the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1346-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Kamo ◽  
Tammy L. Henderson ◽  
Karen A. Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Relationship

Guided by an ecological perspective, the authors examined event, individual, structural/cultural, and family/community factors that shaped the psychological well-being of older adults displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. The authors first established the negative effects of displacement on psychological well-being by comparing displaced older adults with permanent Baton Rouge residents. Displaced older persons’ psychological well-being was positively related to their age and physical health. Older displaced women coped with displacement better than men. Avoidant coping was negatively related to the older adults’ well-being, whereas spiritual coping showed no effect. The functioning of older persons’ family was positively related to their psychological well-being, whereas dependence on people outside immediate family showed a negative relationship. Income, education, and race were largely unrelated to psychological well-being. Findings provide implications for future studies regarding the relationship between disaster and psychological well-being and provide practitioners with suggestions for work with older adults displaced by disasters.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Well-Being Among Middle-Age and Older Adults: Before and During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
Lydia Li
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Physical Isolation ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Aging And Health ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This symposium brings together five studies that examined the relationship between social isolation and well-being. Two used pre-COVID data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). One aimed to identify patterns of social isolation trajectory in a 9-year period, where social isolation was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. It identified four distinct patterns, and the pattern had a gradient relationship with health outcomes. Another examined the association between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and social well-being among older adults. It found that positive SPA predicted increased social connectedness and reduced loneliness in four years. Two other studies were based on a longitudinal survey (COVID-19 Coping Survey) that began in April 2020. One reports that adults 55+ with comorbidity at pandemic onset had persistently elevated depressive symptoms in a 6-month period, regardless of their social isolation level. Another paper suggests that physical isolation at pandemic onset was associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness throughout the following six months. The fifth paper was based on two-wave data—2019 survey and 2020 COVID supplement—from the National Aging and Health Trend Study (NAHTS). It found that older adults who were very socially isolated and completely homebound before the pandemic experienced less psychological distress during the outbreak than those who were very socially integrated and not homebound. The five studies highlight the multiple dimensions of social isolation, their antecedents and development over time, and their role in shaping mental health in a pandemic context.

scholarly journals Perceived Discrimination, Social Environment, and Older Adults’ Psychological Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 462-462
Author(s):  
Min-Kyoung Park ◽  
Christine Mair
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
The Social

Abstract Experiencing discrimination can have detrimental effects on psychological well-being. For older adults in the U.S., discrimination on the basis of country of origin may be a particularly alienating experience. A positive social environment, however, has been shown to buffer associations between discrimination and poorer psychological well-being. However, this hypothesis has not been tested in a sample of older Americans who perceive discrimination because of country of origin. As the United States continues to diversify and politically polarize, understanding older adults’ experiences with discrimination and identifying potential buffers to these negative effects is increasingly important. We analyze 942 older Americans (aged 50+) from the Psychosocial Module of the most recent wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2020). Specifically, we analyze associations between perceived discrimination on the basis of country of origin and three psychological well-being outcomes: loneliness, anxiety, and life satisfaction. We further test if the social environment buffers negative effects by examining interactions between discrimination and social support as well as discrimination and neighborhood environment. Our results reveal clear and consistent associations between older adults’ perceived discrimination and increased loneliness and decreased life satisfaction. These negative associations, however, appear to be buffered by social support and positive neighborhood environment, respectively. The potential buffering effect of positive social environments on psychological well-being is particularly pronounced for older adults under the age of 65. We discuss these findings in light of the prevalence of discrimination in the U.S. and consider potential mechanisms for improving the social environment of older adults.

scholarly journals Impact of iN2L Tablets on Loneliness and Well-Being: Findings of an Innovative Industry-AAA Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 949-950
Author(s):  
Lydia Nguyen ◽  
Karen O'Hern ◽  
Adam Siak ◽  
Kristi Stoglin ◽  
Charlotte Mather-Tayor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
Adult Day Centers

Abstract Area Agency on Aging (AAA) senior and adult day centers closed due to COVID-19, causing many older adults to lose an important source of connection and engagement, leading to social isolation. To combat negative consequences, iN2L and a Florida AAA partnered on an innovative program providing iN2L tablets to AAA-supported older adults to use at home. The tablets have a simple interface, content specifically designed for older adults (e.g., games; music; movies), and video call capability. Participants included 51 independent older adults (mean age 77) and 39 family caregivers (mean age 59) of people with dementia. Participants completed phone surveys with AAA case managers at baseline and 3 months, including UCLA Loneliness Scale (3 item) and questions about their tablet experiences. Findings show positive trends for loneliness and well-being in both groups. At 3 months, lonely participants decreased from baseline by 25% for independent older adults and 18% for family caregivers. Over 80% of independent older adults agreed the tablet engages them in meaningful activities, provides daily enjoyment, and helps with relaxation. For family caregivers, 79% agreed the tablet is another tool in their caregiver toolkit and about 70% agreed the tablet adds daily enjoyment, helps with relaxation, and provides engagement in meaningful activities for their family member. Approximately 50% of caregivers felt happier, less stressed, and less irritable since using the tablets. This work has implications for the utility of technology in promoting engagement and connection, alleviating negative effects of social isolation, and the effectiveness of industry-AAA partnerships.

The Relationship Between Leisure Activities and Well-being During Social Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sartu Osman ◽  
Danielle Gaucher
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Flow ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Leisure activities are effective ways to cope with stressful life events; however, more research is needed to understand its effects in social isolation. In the current study, we explored whether university students’ participation in leisure activities (such as baking, running, and yoga) has helped protect against some of the negative effects of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this correlational study aimed to discover (a) the relationship between leisure activity participation and psychological well-being and resilience during periods of social isolation; (b) the type of leisure activity (i.e., physical or nonphysical) that has the most positive effect on overall well-being; and (c) precisely why particular leisure activities were positively associated with well-being and resilience (e.g., do they increase social affiliation, self-efficacy, personal control, flow, and sense of meaning?). To answer these questions, 200 university students completed an online survey asking them about the frequency and type of their participation in leisure activities. Participant’s coronavirus anxiety, sense of well-being, and resiliency were the outcome variables. Results indicated a significant, positive association between leisure activity participation and overall well-being, demonstrated by a decrease in anxiety and an increase in well-being. Contrary to the literature, engagement in more non-physical leisure activities was associated with greater resiliency compared to physical activities. The mechanisms for the positive association were not clear. In sum, this study supports participation in leisure activities as a possible way to cope with social isolation and the negative effects of the current pandemic.

Social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China: the role of self-rated health

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nan Lu ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Yaolin Pei ◽  
Changmin Peng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital ◽  
Structural Social Capital ◽  
Perceived Neighborhood Environment

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study examined the relationships between social capital, perceived neighborhood environment, and depressive symptoms among older adults living in rural China, and the moderating effect of self-rated health (SRH) in these relationships. Participants: A quota sampling method was applied to recruit 447 participants aged 60 years and older in rural communities in Jilin province, China in 2019. Measurements: Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to build latent constructs of social capital and test the proposed model. Multiple group analysis was used to test the moderation effects. Results: Cognitive social capital and structural social capital were both associated with depressive symptoms controlling for participants’ demographics, socioeconomic status, and health status. After adding perceived environment variables in the model, the relationship between cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms became nonsignificant, while structural social capital remained became a significant factor (β = −.168, p < .01). Satisfaction with health care was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among those with poor SRH (β = −.272, p < .01), whereas satisfaction with security and transportation were strongly associated with depressive symptoms among those with good SRH (security: β = −.148, p < .01; transportation: β = −.174, p < .01). Conclusions: Study findings highlighted the importance of social capital and neighborhood environment as potential protective factors of depressive symptoms in later life. Policy and intervention implications were also discussed.

scholarly journals Perceived Neighborhood Disorder, Social Cohesion, and Depressive Symptoms among Spousal Caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1049-1049
Author(s):  
Yeon Jin Choi ◽  
Jennifer Ailshire
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spousal Caregivers ◽  
Neighborhood Disorder ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion

Abstract Most prior research on caregivers’ mental health focused on individual or household factors, we know much less about the influence of neighborhood factors on mental health of spousal caregivers. The current study fills the gap in our knowledge by examining the association of neighborhood characteristics (i.e., perceived neighborhood disorder and neighborhood social cohesion) and depressive symptoms among spousal caregivers. We used data from 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, which includes 2,362 spousal caregivers. Negative binomial regression models were estimated to examine the association of perceived neighborhood disorder and neighborhood social cohesion with depressive symptoms. A greater perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with higher CES-D scores, which indicates more depressive symptoms. On the other hand, a higher level of neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower CES-D scores. When they were included in the same model, the association between neighborhood disorder and depression disappeared, while respondents who reported higher levels of neighborhood social cohesion continue to exhibit lower CES-D scores than those lived in less cohesive neighborhoods. This study highlights the importance of neighborhood contexts in understanding caregivers’ well-being. Findings of this study suggest that neighborhood social cohesion may attenuate the negative effects of neighborhood disorder. Therefore, enhancing positive characteristics of the neighborhood may promote well-being of spousal caregivers.

scholarly journals Unique Effects of Perceived Neighborhood Physical Disorder and Social Cohesion on Episodic Memory and Semantic Fluency

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1346-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsara B Zaheed ◽  
Neika Sharifian ◽  
A Zarina Kraal ◽  
Ketlyne Sol ◽  
Alyssia Hence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Neighborhood Quality ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective Objective measures of neighborhood quality are associated with physical and mental health outcomes for older adults, but the relationship between perceived neighborhood quality and cognitive health has not been fully explored. Furthermore, positive and negative neighborhood characteristics may influence cognition through different mechanisms. The present study aimed to determine whether perceptions of neighborhood quality predict cognitive functioning in two domains, above and beyond individual-level risk factors, in a nationally representative sample of older adults. Method Using cross-sectional weighted data from 13,919 participants aged 51 and older from the Health and Retirement Study, linear regression models tested independent associations between perceived neighborhood quality (physical disorder and social cohesion) and cognition (episodic memory and semantic verbal fluency), controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease burden, and depressive symptoms. Interaction terms tested whether neighborhood social cohesion moderated the relationship between neighborhood physical disorder and each cognitive outcome. Results Perception of greater neighborhood physical disorder was significantly associated with worse episodic memory, while perception of lower neighborhood social cohesion was significantly associated with worse semantic fluency. There were no significant interactions between physical disorder and social cohesion. Conclusions Results provide preliminary evidence for different mechanisms underlying associations between aspects of neighborhood quality and cognition (e.g., stress vs. social interaction). Additional intervention work is needed to determine whether improving neighborhood physical conditions and promoting social cohesion at the neighborhood level could reduce cognitive morbidity among older adults.

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