scholarly journals SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY DURING AND AFTER DISASTERS TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SUPPORT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S391-S391
Author(s):  
Lisa M Brown
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Social Support ◽  
Psychological Recovery ◽  
Traumatic Life Events ◽  
Social Support Systems

Abstract The combination of an aging population and a limited number of disaster responders reveals a need for trained laypeople who can implement interventions that facilitate recovery after traumatic events. Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) is an intervention that is designed to be implemented after use of Psychological First Aid with people who were exposed to a traumatic stressor. SPR uses a skills-building approach to promote self-efficacy, support resilience, strengthen social networks, and ameliorate the negative impact of traumatic life events. Strengthening social support is beneficial as research clearly demonstrates that destruction of communities and loss of informal social support networks produces long-term psychological distress for older adults. This presentation will demonstrate a SPR social support exercise with attendees, provide an overview of the other modules, and describe modifications for using SPR with older adults. During times of crisis, social support systems are critical to the psychological well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER AS A SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR OLDER ADULTS IN NEPAL: AN ADAPTATION OF WESTERN CONCEPT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S979-S979
Author(s):  
Sabita Shrestha ◽  
Tina Colson
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Centers ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Traditional Family ◽  
Social Support Systems

Abstract Older adults around the world are living longer. Similarly, in Asian countries longevity of older adults have significantly altered the demographics shift as well as the cultural landscape and needs of the society. These changes have compounded with challenges and needs as a community grapples with how to best take care of aging population. Nepal, a developing country, is also faced with a similar demographic shift among the geriatric population. This shift has brought challenges and needs to communities such as health care, daily living needs, social support systems, economic needs, etc. The geriatric population will require social support systems as they age. Historically, older adults have relied on traditional family support systems for their care and needs maintaining cultural values and norms which may burden immediate or extended family members. Recently, traditional family structures along with social support systems are breaking away from their family trees due to community advancement and modernization, and many are leaving for better economic opportunities. This trend has left many older adults alone in social isolation. Despite challenges in the community, Nepal government doesn’t offer infrastructure for social engagement for older adults. One solution to prevent isolation and loneliness is to establish “senior community centers” (western based concept) for social engaging older adults. Based on ecological framework, this presentation proposes a need of “Senior Community Centers” for older adults where they can become involved in social engagements and receive social supports outside traditional family support systems; thus, optimizing their health and well-being.

Catalyst to Connection: When Technical Difficulties Lead to Social Support for Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Francis ◽  
Travis Kadylak ◽  
Taj. W. Makki ◽  
R. V. Rikard ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.

Informal Social Support Networks and Subjective Well-Being among African Americans

2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Joseph Taylor ◽  
Linda M. Chatters ◽  
Cheryl Burns Hardison ◽  
Anna Riley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Informal Social Support

scholarly journals A Pandemic Paradox: Innovations in Psychological Resiliency and Suicide Prevention in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 417-418
Author(s):  
Marnin Heisel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Advocacy ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on the health and well-being of older adults, a demographic with the highest proportion of fatalities in North America. Long-term care and retirement homes have been especially hard hit. Sheltering in place can increase social isolation among older adults and contribute to feelings of stigmatization, burden, stress, anxiety, anger, and despair. As older adults also account for high rates of suicide, fear of infection, reduced access to professional and social supports, and growing apathy, hopelessness, and social isolation could amplify suicide risk (see Zortea et al., 2020). The speaker will discuss how his program of research on psychological resiliency and suicide prevention in older adults has pivoted online over the past year, and how the pandemic has paradoxically inspired innovative approaches to research, education, clinical practice, and social advocacy for older adults that will likely continue well beyond the present time.

scholarly journals DIGITAL INDEPENDENCE: HEALTH-RELATED DIFFICULTY IN INTERNET USE AND HOW IT AFFECTS OLDER ADULTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S442-S443
Author(s):  
Shannon Ang ◽  
Emily Lim ◽  
Rahul Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Using the internet is increasingly a necessity. However, older adults may not do so due to either non-health reasons (e.g., lack of digital literacy or internet access) or health-related reasons. While researchers have studied internet use among older adults, most do not discriminate whether non-use is due to health reasons or otherwise. Recent studies also reveal that older adults use the internet to keep in touch with family and friends, highlighting that limitations in internet use may be detrimental for their well-being. We therefore, examine the key correlates of health-related difficulty in internet use, and how it may affect quality of life by reducing the size of their social support networks. Data were from a national survey of older Singaporeans (n=3966) conducted in 2016-17. Multinomial logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to identify older adult subgroups more likely to experience health-related difficulty in internet use, and whether such difficulty affected older adults’ quality of life through their social support networks. Results showed that males, those of Malay ethnicity, those with less education, and those with more instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) limitations were more likely to experience health-related difficulty in internet use. Social support networks mediated the relationship between health-related difficulty in internet use and quality of life. These findings suggest that other than managing the health conditions of older adults who face health-related difficulty in internet use, offline modes of keeping them socially connected may promote their quality of life.

scholarly journals Shifts in Older Adults’ Social Support during Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 957-957
Author(s):  
Heather Fuller ◽  
Andrea Huseth-Zosel ◽  
Emily Sturn ◽  
Shawn Carlson ◽  
Brittany Hofmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Initial Shock ◽  
Great Health ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Social Support Systems ◽  
Over Time

Abstract In recent months, older adults have faced great health risks due to COVID-19, yet social distancing measures may also heighten risks to their social well-being. This mixed methods study explores changes in older adults’ social support satisfaction and interpersonal connections across the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Midwestern sample of 70 older adults aged 70-97 completed two phone interviews (April and June 2020) about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. At both timepoints participants rated their satisfaction with social support and responded to open-ended questions about their interpersonal interactions, communication, and support in current daily life. Mean social support satisfaction significantly increased between the two interviews. Ensuing analysis of qualitative responses suggested this shift could reflect psychological adjustment to the circumstances or adaptation in methods of interpersonal connection over time. Emergent themes included: 1) increased family support and strain, 2) adaptable and flexible friendships, 3) isolation fatigue, and 4) communication through technology. Evaluation of change over time indicated divergent and shifting perceptions of social support as the pandemic endures. Findings suggest nuanced and diverse social support experiences amongst older adults, yet general patterns of initial shock to social support systems that subsided or adapted over time. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand older adults’ social support needs and seek to explore ways to best foster social connections during instances of forced social isolation or societal crises such as the current and ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Yooumi Lee ◽  
Janet Wilmoth
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract This study investigates whether intergenerational relationships and social support improve the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. We examine whether intergenerational relationships and social support directly influence psychological well-being and the extent to which they mediate the distressing consequences of life events such as declining health and recent widowhood. Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we explore depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. Specifically, we converted data from 5,383 older adults into a person-period file with 24,726 observations over a ten-year period. Then we estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for men and women using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results from the hierarchical linear models indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of personal interactions and proximate living arrangements with adult children decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among women. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

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