SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND TERMINAL DECLINE IN WELL-BEING AMONG JAPANESE OLDER ADULTS

Abstract As adults age into a digitally connected world, communication technologies such as the internet, email, social media, and video chats offer new opportunities to connect with others. The implications of older adults’ use of technology in the context of their social relationships—such as the implications for social integration, the relational circumstances of technology adoption, implications for daily experiences of well-being, and opportunities to form new relationships—are less understood. This symposium brings together diverse and complementary perspectives on the contribution of technology to older adults’ social experiences. We begin with inquiry into implications of internet use for social integration. Hees and colleagues use data from the German Ageing Survey to examine how internet use is associated with change in loneliness over a three-year period in older adults who are either before or after retirement. Our symposium continues with papers on technology use within the context of older adults’ existing close relationships. Chopik examines individual and dyadic predictors of technology adoption. Mejía and colleagues consider the implications for digital social interactions for older adult’s well-being on that day. Our final paper discusses the potential for technology to aid in the development of new relationships. Rogers and colleagues describe findings from their OneClick.chat project, a web-based video chat application that connects older adults based on their shared interests. Our session concludes with a discussion led by Czaja, who will integrate the four papers and discuss the challenges and opportunities of using technology to support older adults’ social relationships and well-being.

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Relationship between bicultural identity and psychological well-being among American and Japanese older adults

Health Psychology Open ◽

10.1177/2055102916650093 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 205510291665009 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ayano Yamaguchi ◽

Min-Sun Kim ◽

Atsushi Oshio ◽

Satoshi Akutsu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

Bicultural Identity ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Japanese Older Adults

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Social Integration and Risk of Dementia Among Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1532 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 473-474

Author(s):

Yan Zhang ◽

Shannon Shen ◽

Yulin Yang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Executive Function ◽

Social Integration ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Strong Association ◽

Social Contact ◽

Well Being

Abstract We examine the relationship between social integration and cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults using longitudinal data from Waves 1-8 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The sample includes 7,492 respondents age 65 and older at baseline. We test multidimensional measures of social integration and cognitive well-being using discrete-time hazard models. The risk of dementia is calculated by a series of performance-based tests. Measures include levels of dementia: no dementia, cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND), and dementia, and three domains of cognition functioning: orientation, executive function, and memory. Social integration is an additive index measured by several questions, including marital status, living arrangement, social network, social contact, and social participation. Our results indicate that people with higher social integration have a lower risk of both cognitive impairment (not dementia) and dementia compared to those with lower social integration. This pattern continued across specific domains of cognitive functioning, including lower risk of orientation impairment, executive function impairment, and memory impairment for those with higher social integration. Tests of both gender and racial interactions did not yield any significant differences. Our findings demonstrate the strong association between social integration and lower risk of dementia among older adults. This study can speak to policy makers as the life expectancy of Americans increases and the aging population grows, highlighting the importance of giving support to older adults who are lack of social connectedness.

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Stress-Buffering Factors of Social Integration on Depressive Symptoms Over Time in Late-Life

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3328 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 927-927

Author(s):

Emily Kinkade ◽

Heather Fuller

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Integration ◽

Social Ties ◽

Well Being ◽

Stress Buffering ◽

Buffering Effect ◽

Community Interaction ◽

The Social ◽

Over Time

Abstract The negative impacts of stress on older adults’ well-being are well documented, and social integration is posited as protective against such detrimental effects. Previous research illustrates the stress-buffering effect of social relationships on both physical and mental health, such as depressive symptoms, in older adults. The purpose of this study was to expand on prior findings by investigating the longitudinal stress-buffering effect of various dimensions of social integration on depressive symptoms among an older sample. Four waves of data were drawn from the Social Integration and Aging Study, including 416 older adults (ages 60-100). Subscales of the Social Integration in Later Life Scale measuring frequency and satisfaction with social ties and community interaction were used to assess distinct dimensions of social integration. Multilevel modeling demonstrated that two facets of social integration—satisfaction with social ties and frequency of community interaction—moderated the relationship between perceived stress and trajectories of depressive symptoms over time. Participants who reported high levels of stress reported fewer depressive symptoms if they had high satisfaction with social ties and high frequency of community involvement. Interestingly, frequency of contact with social ties and satisfaction with community interaction did not similarly buffer negative effects for depressive symptoms. These findings indicate the value of remaining actively engaged in the community and maintaining meaningful relationships as older adults age. Future research should investigate programs to foster relationships and engagement between older adults and their communities, with particular consideration of populations at a greater risk for isolation.

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Impact of Social Integration and Living Arrangements on Korean Older Adults’ Depression

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/0091415017720887 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 306-321 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Youjung Lee ◽

Kyeonghee Jang ◽

Naorah C. Lockhart

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Integration ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Culturally Responsive ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Health Concern ◽

Moderation Effect ◽

Predictors Of Depression

Depression among older adults is a challenging public health concern in Korea. Using panel data from the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs on Korean older adults and their family caregivers, this study explores significant predictors of depression among Korean older adults as well as the moderating effect of living arrangements on the association between social integration and depression. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preexisting depression was the most significant predictor of Korean older adults’ current depression, followed by health status and family support. In addition, social integration significantly decreased Korean older adults’ depression. Importantly, a significant moderation effect of living arrangements between Korean older adults’ social integration and depression was observed. This study implies the development of individually tailored and culturally responsive programs to engage marginalized Korean older adults living alone, helping foster their well-being and optimal aging.

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Intergenerational Learning

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190676315.013.8 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Cortellesi ◽

Jessica Harpley ◽

Margaret Kernan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cultural Heritage ◽

Social Integration ◽

Well Being ◽

Cultural Transformation ◽

Intergenerational Learning ◽

Migrant Communities ◽

Diverse Communities ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Cultural Conservation

This chapter explores the potential of intergenerational learning (IGL) occurring in communities around the globe to contribute to cultural conservation and cultural transformation. It builds on recent developments in theory and research to explore IGL as a mechanism for building and transforming cultural heritage between children and older adults. The benefits of IGL programs for both individual and community well-being are discussed, as well as the ability of IGL projects to foster social integration and acceptance in multicultural and diverse communities. The chapter makes a strong case for the integration of IGL programs within societies, especially migrant communities, to preserve and transform cultural heritage and build intercultural communities, for the benefit of all.

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221 Social Integration and Sleep Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Evidence from a Study of Retired Older Adults

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.220 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A88-A89

Author(s):

Brian Chin ◽

Eunjin Tracy ◽

H Matthew Lehrer ◽

Lucas Carroll ◽

Precious Lacey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Social Integration ◽

Social Contact ◽

Psychosocial Interventions ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Sleep Complaints ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Growing evidence has documented the adverse impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on sleep quality. Older adults may be especially susceptible to declines in sleep quality for multiple reasons, including their elevated risk of social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic. Given the adverse health consequences of poor sleep, there is a need to identify resilience factors that help protect older adults against decreased sleep quality. Social integration is a plausible resilience factor because involvement in a broad range of social relationships is thought to promote psychological well-being (e.g., meaning, purpose in life), as well as reduce the intensity and duration of negative psychological states. Social integration may also assume increased importance during the coronavirus pandemic because of normative declines in overall social contact. This prospective study assessed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on older adults’ sleep quality and tested whether social integration moderated the impact of the pandemic on sleep quality. Methods A sample of 115 retired older adults (mean age = 68.6, 58% female, 89% white) completed self-report assessments of their social integration (number of roles on Cohen’s Social Network Index) and sleep quality (global score on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) before and after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic (mean duration of follow-up = 2.3 years). Results Multilevel analyses indicated that social integration moderated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sleep quality; there was no main effect of time. Older adults with low social integration had reduced sleep quality from Time 1 to Time 2 (b=.94, p=.02), whereas older adults with high social integration showed no changes in sleep quality over time (b=-.38, p=.37). Conclusion Broader social networks confer resilience against pandemic-related declines in sleep quality among older adults. The level of social integration should be addressed when studying or treating sleep complaints during the coronavirus pandemic. Additional research is warranted to determine whether psychosocial interventions targeted towards older adults with low social integration can reduce observed differences in sleep quality. Support (if any) This research was supported by R01AG047139, T32HL007560, T32HL082610, T32MH019986.

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Let’s Walk It: Mobility and the Perceived Quality of Life in Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111515 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11515

Author(s):

Ulrike Bechtold ◽

Natalie Stauder ◽

Martin Fieder

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Research And Development ◽

Social Integration ◽

Well Being ◽

Assistive Technologies ◽

Self Perception ◽

Ageing Society ◽

Self Rated Health

European policy and the research and development landscape put forward a number of arguments in favor of implementing “Active Assisted Living” (AAL) for older adults: it will improve older adults’ quality of life, allow them to age in place, and keep costs for an ageing society down by exploiting new technology markets. The idea is that older adults who are supported by AAL and make use of assistive technologies will enjoy more freedom, autonomy, and mobility and also improved social integration and better communication. Yet, despite a history of more than 10 years of European research and development, the use of AAL applications is not as widespread as expected. To examine older adults’ attitudes to assistive technologies, we conducted a study in Vienna (Austria) between 2018 and 2020 questioning 245 older adults aged 61–93 years (M = 74.27 SD = 6.654) who lived at their private homes and had different support needs (ranging from “no support” to “everyday visit of social and/or care organizations”). The three goals of the study encompassed: (1) examination of their quality of life, (2) their attitudes and use of assistive technologies, and (3) the way they perceive their own and others’ life-course and getting older. AAL as a concept links “ageing in place” and “quality of life”. However, “mobility” is also of major importance here. In this paper, we aim to investigate the relation between the independent variables “Quality of life” and “Mobility” and their possible associations with the following dependent variables: cohabitation, social integration, self-rated health, sportive activities, locomotion, home well-being and safety, physical limitations, falls, and self-perception of their own ageing (compared to others). We calculated multivariate models regressing on these explaining and confounding variables. We found a positive correlation between mobility and quality of life. In detail, our results show a significant positive association between QOL and mobility regarding self-rated health and self-perception. Experiencing vertigo, walking difficulties, and balance problems significantly and negatively influence self-rated health and self-perception compared to others. Our findings can also be read as a clear message that there is a need to improve both health and the culture of ageing and to facilitate positive attitudes toward ageing as an efficient way to enhance the Quality of life of older adults.

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EFFECTS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ON THE MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING IN JAPANESE OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igy023.1124 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 306-306

Author(s):

H Yoshida ◽

S Ueki ◽

T Satoh ◽

G Inuzuka ◽

S Anzai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Activities ◽

Japanese Older Adults

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Corrigendum

Health Psychology Open ◽

10.1177/2055102917703260 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 205510291770326

Keyword(s):

Health Psychology ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

Bicultural Identity ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Japanese Older Adults

“Relationship between bicultural identity and psychological well-being among American and Japanese older adults” by Ayano Yamaguchi, Min-Sun Kim, Atsushi Oshio, and Satoshi Akutsu (2016), Health Psychology Open, January–June 2016: 1–12. DOI: 10.1177/2055102916650093 .

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