scholarly journals PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES AND LONELINESS AMONG JAPANESE MIDLIFE AND OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S827-S827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Yihan Wang ◽  
Florian Kohlbacher ◽  
Ernest Gonzales
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Productive Aging ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Productive Activities ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Japanese Male ◽  
Male Caregivers ◽  
Social Loneliness

Abstract Background: Loneliness among older population is a public health concern shared worldwide. Using the motivational theory for life-span development, this study examined the associations between loneliness (social and emotional) and productive activities among midlife and older adults in Japan. Methods: The Japanese National Data on Lifestyle and Mental Health, a nationally representative sample of midlife and older adults (2011, N=1,575), were used to examine how employment, volunteering, helping family and friends, and informal caregiving was associated with social and emotional loneliness, controlling for multiple risk and protective factors. Results: Family caregiving was related to more social loneliness. Working, helping family, and volunteering were related to less emotional loneliness, while family caregiving was related to more emotional loneliness. Japanese male caregivers reported more social isolation compared to female caregivers. Face-to-face interactions reduced emotional loneliness among caregivers. Discussion: Findings underscored the nuanced difference of social loneliness and emotional loneliness. Social policies that advance productive aging should recognize “unintended consequences” and aim to protect older adults from social and emotional loneliness. Counselling services and social support programs specifically for Japanese male caregivers are warranted.

scholarly journals Worry about debt is related to social loneliness in older adults in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Cäzilia Loibl ◽  
Madeleine A. Drost ◽  
Martijn Huisman ◽  
Bianca Suanet ◽  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Debt Burden ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Social Loneliness

Abstract The amount of financial debt held by older adults has grown substantially over the past two decades in Europe. This study examines the association of objective and subjective debt burden with social and emotional loneliness among 1,606 older adults in the Netherlands. Objective debt burden is based on financial terms, such as debt-to-income ratio; whereas subjective debt burden measures the psychological distress caused by financial debt. Data are from the 2015/2016 wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. First, we use means-comparison tests to examine whether older adults who experience social and emotional loneliness differ from older adults who do not experience loneliness regarding their subjective and objective debt burdens. Subsequently, using linear regression models we address two questions: whether social loneliness and emotional loneliness are associated with objective and subjective debt burden; and whether social participation, social network size, anxiety and depression mediate these relationships. We find that subjective debt burden (i.e. the worry related to debt) is a significant predictor of social loneliness, above and beyond the role of social and psychological measures. Objective debt burden, in contrast, is unrelated to social and emotional loneliness. Social participation, social network size, anxiety and depression do not mediate the debt-burden-to-loneliness relationships. The results point to the importance of subjective debt burden in understanding social loneliness and designing interventions.

scholarly journals Loneliness and Its Association With Social Media Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630512110338
Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Mary Ruffolo ◽  
Janni Leung ◽  
Daicia Price ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Social Loneliness

Social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic changed social interaction for many and increased the risk of loneliness in the general population. Social media use has been ambiguously related to loneliness, and associations may differ by age. The study aimed to examine loneliness and its association with social media use within different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia during April/May 2020, and 3,810 participants aged 18 years or above were recruited. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between social media use and social and emotional loneliness within separate age groups. Emotional loneliness was higher among young adults and among those who used social media several times daily. Adjusting by sociodemographic variables, using more types of social media was associated with lower social loneliness among the oldest participants, and with higher emotional loneliness among the youngest participants. Among middle-aged participants, using social media more frequently was associated with lower social loneliness. We found that the associations between social media use and loneliness varied by age. Older people’s engagement on social media may be a resource to reduce loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed higher levels of loneliness among high-frequent social media users of younger age.

The older, the lonelier? Risk factors for social loneliness in old age

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1177-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEEN HEYLEN
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Attachment Figure ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Social Loneliness

ABSTRACTLoneliness is often associated with old age, but many studies have shown that the relationship is not straightforward. This paper seeks a better understanding of the impact of social isolation on feelings of loneliness among older people, by building on the theoretical and actual distinction between social and emotional loneliness. Social loneliness refers to a lack of feelings of social integration; emotional loneliness emerges in the absence of an attachment figure. This paper focuses on social loneliness and has two aims, first to disentangle the direct and intermediate effects of both the number and the quality of social relationships on social loneliness in old age, and second to detect the groups at risk of social loneliness by identifying which personal features correspond with which relational deficits and therefore indirectly increase the risk on social loneliness. Data are analysed for a sample of 1,414 respondents aged 55 or more years drawn from the Panel Study of Belgian Households conducted in 2000. The results confirm that improved understanding is gained by decomposing the interrelation between age and other background features, on the one hand, and the social relational features, on the other, as indirect and direct predictors of social loneliness. Generally, this approach promotes a correct identification of the groups at risk of social loneliness in old age.

Patterns of Adjustment to Partner Loss in Old Age: The Widowhood Adaptation Longitudinal Study

2002 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berna Van Baarsen ◽  
Marijtje A. J. Van Duijn ◽  
Johannes H. Smit ◽  
Tom A. B. Snijders ◽  
Kees P. M. Knipscheer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Classification Criteria ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Partner Death ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Social Loneliness

The present longitudinal study aims to explain emotional and social loneliness experienced by older adults ( N=99) during two-and-a-half years of widowhood. Utilization of multilevel analysis and a “visual” cluster analysis with prescribed classification criteria enabled us to search for average adaptational developments as well as individual variability in the adjustment process. Results were interpreted within the theory of mental incongruity. Adjustment to loneliness appears to develop along different individual-specific curves. About 30 percent of the bereaved had not adapted in two-and-a-half years to their loss in terms of emotional loneliness. Presence of favorable opportunities such as good health and high self-esteem as well as coping efforts like social behavior resulted in lower levels of emotional and social loneliness. It is concluded that the adjustment process among older bereaved does not exist. Moreover, including measures of cognitions and attitudes that are related to the relational needs and desires of widow(er)s may enlarge our knowledge of how older adults adapt to partner death.

scholarly journals LONELINESS, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND SENSE OF HUMOR. A QUANTITATIVE STUDY COMPARING ROMANIAN STUDENTS AND OLDER ADULTS

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Schiau
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Current Student ◽  
Gender Groups

The current study explores social and emotional loneliness, social interactions and humor in a sample of Romanian students, departing from the Schiau 2016 study that found the production and social use of humor to be correlated to a reduced social loneliness in a sample of Romanian older adults. Studies indicate that loneliness can be experienced at any age, and that humor can act as a coping mechanism with life’s difficulties, triggering positive emotions. The current study replicates findings in the literature, indicating that younger adults experience less loneliness than older adults, and use more humor than older adults. Young women in the sample had a significantly more positive attitude towards humor than the men. This study has useful implications for a number of fields, including the economic and marketing sectors. The current student population represents a growing market, and studies indicate that the use of humor by service providers may intervene with any negative feelings that could cause clients to withdraw their engagement and cooperation in the service endeavor (Locke, 1996). Therefore, we argue that, for the retail and service sector, it is important to understand the different approach towards humor by the different age and gender groups discussed in this study.

scholarly journals Socio-Demographic Characteristics Associated With Emotional and Social Loneliness Among Older Adults in Five European Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Noëlla Fierloos ◽  
Siok Swan Tan ◽  
Greg Williams ◽  
Tamara Alhambra-Borrás ◽  
Elin Koppelaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Age ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Baseline Measure ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Social Loneliness

Abstract Background International studies provide an overview of socio-demographic characteristics associated with loneliness among older adults, but few studies distinguished between emotional and social loneliness. This study examined socio-demographic characteristics associated with emotional and social loneliness.Methods Data of 2251 community-dwelling older adults, included at the baseline measure of the Urban Health Centers Europe (UHCE) project, were analysed. Loneliness was measured with the 6-item De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between age, sex, living situation, educational level, migration background, and loneliness.Results The mean age of participants was 79.7 years (SD = 5.6 years); 60.4% women. Emotional and social loneliness were reported by 29.2% and 26.7% of the participants. Older age (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06–1.28), living without a partner (2.16, 95% CI: 1.73–2.70), and having a low educational level (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.21–2.73), were associated with increased emotional loneliness. Women living with a partner were more prone to emotional loneliness than men living with a partner (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.31–2.40). Older age (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00-1.22) and having a low educational level (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.14–2.74) were associated with increased social loneliness. Men living without a partner were more prone to social loneliness than men living with a partner (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.35–2.78).Conclusions Socio-demographic characteristics associated with emotional and social loneliness differed regarding sex and living situation. Researchers, policy makers, and healthcare professionals should be aware that emotional and social loneliness may affect older adults with different socio-demographic characteristics.

scholarly journals Adaptation of “Sociotropy—Self-Sufficience” Questionnaire for Russian Sample on Middle Adults and Ageing People

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-233
Author(s):  
O.Y. Strizhitskaya ◽  
M.D. Petrash ◽  
I.R. Murtazina ◽  
G.A. Vartanyan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Independent Analysis ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Confirmatory Analysis ◽  
Psychometric Validity

Present paper describes that adaptation of a questionnaire on the sociotropy or own assumptions and goals. Paper presents the results of the psychometric validity of the Russian adaptation of the Questionnaire for middle and older adults. Participants were adults aged 35-75 (N=358; M= 49,27; SD = 11,08; 75,5 % — females). Our adaptation was based on a New Zealand version of the “Socitropy/ Autonomy scale” by A. Beck. To check the criterial validity we used “Differential questionnaire of loneliness experiences”, “Social and emotional loneliness scales for middle and older adults”, “Psychological well-being scale by C. Ryff”. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory analysis identified four subscales: “Social non-confidence”, “Dependence on other’s opinion”, “Affiliation” and “Independence”. Psychometric tests proved that all identified scales had internal consistency, and form a general factor. Final confirmatory analysis showed that four scales are comparatively independent. Analysis of the results in age and sex groups showed that the questionnaire maintained its consistency in age groups (middle adulthood, later adulthood, aging) as well as for males and females. Thus, our results revealed that our adaptation could be used on adults and older adults in Russia.

scholarly journals Depressive symptoms predict increased social and emotional loneliness in older adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna McHugh Power ◽  
Caoimhe Hannigan ◽  
Philip Hyland ◽  
Sabina Brennan ◽  
Frank Kee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness

Becoming an older caregiver: A study of gender differences in family caregiving at the end of life

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Roberta Spatuzzi ◽  
Maria Velia Giulietti ◽  
Francesca Romito ◽  
Giorgio Reggiardo ◽  
Carmela Genovese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Hospice Patients ◽  
Male Caregivers

Abstract Objectives Older people are not traditionally expected to become caregivers. For this reason, the experience of caregiving in older persons has not been explored adequately in the research on gender differences. The objective of this study was to assess the caregiver burden among older family members who care for cancer patients facing the end of their lives, in order to compare their differences according to gender (male vs. female). Methods This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 102 older caregivers (aged ≥65 years) of hospice patients were interviewed through the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). The sample group was divided into two gender subgroups. Results Compared with male caregivers, the older female group reported significantly higher scores in the CBI–physical subscale (P = 0.028), and in the CBI, the overall score (P = 0.0399) confirmed by the generalized linear model (multivariate) evaluation that included possible predictors in the model. There were no significant differences in the other CBI subscale scores (time-dependent, developmental, social, and emotional). Significance of results Older female caregivers are at higher risk of experiencing burden and worse physical health compared with men. Further research is needed in modern palliative care to assess the role of gender differences in the experience of caregiving when the caregiver is an older person.

scholarly journals Conversations in Times of Isolation: Exploring Rural-Dwelling Older Adults’ Experiences of Isolation and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manitoba, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3028
Author(s):  
Rachel V. Herron ◽  
Nancy E.G. Newall ◽  
Breanna C. Lawrence ◽  
Doug Ramsey ◽  
Candice M. Waddell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Current Context ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Older adults have been described as a vulnerable group in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, where this study took place, older adults have been encouraged to self-isolate while the rest of the population has been cautioned against in-person contact with them. Prior to COVID-19, social isolation and loneliness among older adults was considered a serious public health concern. Using a series of semi-structured interviews with 26 community-dwelling older adults (65 +) living in rural Manitoba, we explore older adults’ experiences of isolation and loneliness in the initial stages of the pandemic between the months of May and July 2020. Participants identified a loss of autonomy, loss of activities and social spaces (e.g., having coffee or eating out, volunteering, and going to church), and lack of meaningful connection at home as factors influencing their sense of isolation and loneliness. Although these loses initially influenced participants’ self-reported isolation and loneliness, the majority developed strategies to mitigate isolation and loneliness, such as drawing on past experiences of isolation, engaging in physically distanced visits, connecting remotely, and “keeping busy.” Our findings call attention to the role of different environments and resources in supporting older adults social and emotional wellbeing, particularly as they adapt to changes in social contact over time.

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