scholarly journals Socio-demographic and Subjective Well-being Predictors of Social and Emotional Loneliness

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
The Relationship

This research examined the relationship between loneliness and psychosocial variables among people from Portugal across the adult life span. The study examined, besides socio-demographic predictors, subjective well-being predictors of social and emotional loneliness. The sample was constituted by 1,209 participants with a mean age of 38.12 (SD = 17.49) and a range between 18 and 90 years. Social, family and romantic loneliness were measured (DiTommaso, Brannen, & Best, 2004). Overall, social, family and romantic loneliness were significantly associated with the indicators of subjective well-being. Subjective well-being factors accounted also for a larger proportion of the explained variance in social, family and romantic loneliness scores than socio-demographic factors. Limitations of the research are discussed.

scholarly journals Compassionate love for a romantic partner across the adult life span

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 606-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto ◽  
Daniela C. Wilks
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Love Styles ◽  
Compassionate Love

Compassionate love has received research attention over the last decade, but it is as yet unclear how it is experienced over a lifetime. The purpose of this study was to investigate compassionate love for a romantic partner throughout the adult life span, exploring individual differences in the propensity to experience compassionate love in regard to age, gender, religion, love status, love styles, and subjective well-being. The results showed that religion and love status display significant effects on compassionate love. Believers experienced greater compassionate love than nonbelievers, and individuals in love presented greater compassionate love than those who were not in love. Love styles and subjective well-being were found to be related to compassionate love. These findings corroborate studies that indicate that individuals who experience higher compassionate love for a romantic partner are more likely to report Eros, Agape, and subjective well-being.

Evaluating an Interpersonal Model of Depression Among Adults With Down Syndrome

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah H. Ailey ◽  
Arlene M. Miller ◽  
Tamar Heller ◽  
Everett V. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Depression Treatment ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Human Relatedness ◽  
Interpersonal Model ◽  
The Relationship

The Interpersonal Model of Depression (IMD) based on the Theory of Human Relatedness (Hagerty, Lynch-Sauer, Patusky, & Bouwsema, 1993) is evaluated among adults with Down syndrome. One hundred subjects participated, with 32% having elevated depression scores and 40% stating they felt lonely. The relationship between depression, perceived social support, loneliness, and life satisfaction is statistically significant, F(6, 172) = 4.36, p < .001. Loneliness, social isolation, loss of sense of well-being, self-hate, and social withdrawal are important interpersonal manifestations and represent increasing levels of depression. Social and emotional loneliness are two dimensions of loneliness. The IMD provides a framework to assess depression in this population. Research on the efficacy of depression treatment based on the IMD is needed.

Negative old-age life events and well-being in later life: the moderating and mediating role of loneliness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lise Switsers ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Joan Domènech-Abella ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
Sarah Dury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people – Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015–2018). Setting: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). Participants: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). Results: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.

scholarly journals GRATITUDE AND LONELINESS AS PREDICTORS OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING

2021 ◽  
pp. 001
Author(s):  
Ana Jovančević ◽  
Nebojša Milićević
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Variance ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
The Social

The main aim of this research is to analyze the role of loneliness found in previous studies as well as to examine the role of gratitude as one of the main factors contributing to subjective well-being. The sample is a convenience sample and consists of 219 respondents (78.99% women). The instruments used in this research were: the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA; di Tomasso & Spinner, 1993), the Life satisfaction scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), PANAS (Watson, Clark, & Tellegan, 1988) and The Gratitude Questionnaire (McCullough et al., 2002). The data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression where the criterion variables were components of subjective well-being, the predictor in the first step gratitude, and predictors in the second step three types of loneliness. The results of this research show that the only statistically significant predictor of positive affects is gratitude (model 1: β=.281, p<.01; model 2: β=.243. p<.01). Gratitude and loneliness explain 30.1% of the variance of positive affect. When it comes to negative affect, the first model explains 12.6% of the variance, while the second model explains 21.9% of the total variance. Only the second model is statistically significant (p<.05). The only statistically significant predictor is loneliness in the family (β=.143. p=.049). Finally, when it comes to life satisfaction, the first model explains 23.5% of the variance while the second model explains 38.6% of the total variance. When loneliness is added in the second model, an additional 15.1% of the statistically significant explained variance appears (p<.01). The best predictor in this regression analysis is social loneliness (β=-.297, p<.01). Based on these results we can conclude that both gratitude and loneliness are important variables for subjective well-being – but that some are more important for some and some for other aspects of subjective well-being.

scholarly journals The Importance of Leisure Activities in the Relationship between Physical Health and Well-Being in a Life Span Sample

Gerontology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Paggi ◽  
Daniela Jopp ◽  
Christopher Hertzog
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: Previous studies have examined the relationships between physical health and leisure activities and between leisure activities and well-being, but, to our knowledge, none has examined these relationships simultaneously. Objective: This study investigated the relationships between leisure activities, health and well-being considering the role of age, and whether leisure activities mediate the relationship between physical health and well-being. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional database of 259 adults (ages 18-81 years) who completed several questionnaires, linear regression models and mediation models were tested. Results: Regression analyses indicated that physical health was related to leisure activities and leisure activities were related to well-being. When physical health was measured by subjective ratings, age had a stronger relationship with leisure activities. However, when physical health was indicated by health restrictions, physical health had a stronger relationship with leisure activities than did age. Leisure activities were a partial mediator of the relationship between physical health and well-being. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the reduction in leisure activities with age has more to do with physical health limitations than with older age itself. In addition, regardless of age, the benefits of physical health for well-being are due in part to the level of leisure activity participation. These results highlight the importance of leisure activities for successful aging throughout the adult life span. Interventions designed to improve well-being through increasing leisure activity participation should take physical health into consideration, particularly for older adults.

scholarly journals Cognitive and non-cognitive variables influencing age-related effect of mind wandering across the adult life span

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Borella ◽  
Michela Zavagnin ◽  
Lucia Ronconi ◽  
Rossana De Beni
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mind Wandering ◽  
Cognitive Variables ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Effects Of Aging

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the effects of aging on mind wandering (MW) using a sustained attention to response task (SART) with a low cognitive demand. All task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) and the subcategory of stimulus-independent thoughts (SITUTs) were examined across the adult life span. The relationship between MW, cognitive variables (attention, inhibition, working memory), and non-cognitive variables (mindfulness, psychological well-being, and anxiety) was investigated. The sample included 210 healthy participants from 20 to 89 years old. The overall results showed few or no age-related changes in both TUTs and SITUTs. Path analyses revealed that the effect of age on both TUTs and SITUTs was only indirect and mediated by attentional resources, as well as by some aspects of psychological well-being (i.e., emotional competence), which had a direct effect, however. These findings raise doubts about any age-related differences between young and older adults’ MW. Changes in MW across the adult life span are thus discussed along with the method and tasks used to assess it and different variables affecting it.

Does quitting social networks change feelings of loneliness among freshmen? An experimental study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena R. Agadullina ◽  
Andrey Lovakov ◽  
Natalia V. Kiselnikova
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Offline Learning ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Self Discovery ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe first year of college is a stressful life period connected with the experience of loneliness, isolation and depression since the majority of freshmen can no longer maintain an equally close relationship with school friends and family. Social networks have become a significant part of students' daily lives and might be an effective tool for maintaining relationship and reducing loneliness. There are contradictory results concerning the relationship between social networks sites (SNS) use and feelings of loneliness.Design/methodology/approachA four-week experiment was conducted to study the effect of SNS on feelings of social and emotional loneliness across freshmen. The treatment group (n = 40) took a break from SNS, while the control group (n = 37) used SNS as usual.FindingsComparison of the treatment and control groups showed that quitting SNS does not change either feeling of social/emotional loneliness. This paper also found that feelings of social and emotional loneliness did not depend on freshmen's positive/negative attitudes toward being alone.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few that uses experimental design to study the effects of using social networks on the psychological state of students in the context of higher education. The results showed that refusing SNS use can have a positive potential for psychological well-being of freshmen since solitude can be used by them as time for self-discovery and self-development. According to the results, social networks neither increase nor decrease the feeling of loneliness, and offline learning and communication environment plays a more significant role in the adaptation of freshmen. These results allow to take a new look at the studies related to the relationship between SNS use and loneliness and the role of social networks in the adaptation of freshmen.

New Directions in Theories of Emotion and Aging

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Mikels ◽  
Nathaniel A. Young
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Functional Perspective ◽  
Control Versus

The adult life span is characterized as a time of divergent trajectories. It is a time of compounding losses (such as physical, sensory, and cognitive declines) and is also a time of surprising growth (such as improvements in well-being and emotion regulation). These divergent trajectories present theorists with the paradox of aging: in the face of accumulating losses, how is it that as people age, they generally feel good and experience greater well-being? Theorists have grappled with this paradox and have focused on how motivational, cognitive, control, and social factors impact emotional development across the adult life span. These foundational theories have paved the way to a deeper understanding of adult life-span development, but they do not draw as deeply from theories in affective science. Some of the latest perspectives on emotion and aging offer integrative views, such as how older adults may experience different discrete emotion (i.e., anger versus sadness) from an evolutionary functional perspective. Other perspectives consider how an array of appraisal processes may change across adulthood (such as shifts in evaluations of self-control versus other-control for younger versus older adults). These newer approaches dig deeper into mechanistic explanations and underscore the need for greater theoretical integration. Later life is clearly a time of increased well-being, but the field is only on the cusp of understanding the mysteries of emotional experience in later life.

scholarly journals Socio-Demographic Predictors of Loneliness Across the Adult Life Span in Portugal

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Loneliness, a complex phenomenon, is experienced differently by people under diverse conditions. The factors influencing loneliness are numerous and may vary between cultures. The purpose of this study was to show socio-demographic factors contributing to loneliness in Portugal. The sample consisted of 3,144 participants with a mean age of 46.90 (SD = 22.56) and a range between 15 and 92 years. Loneliness was evaluated with the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980). Age and marital status were significant predictors of loneliness. Loneliness increased with age, and divorced or windowed participants reported higher loneliness than single or married people. As expected, gender did not significantly contribute to loneliness. This work identified vulnerable people who are experiencing a perceived dissatisfaction with their social interactions that needs special attention. These vulnerable groups include the old, divorced and widowed. In particular, policy makers and other experts who work with old persons should promote interventions according to their needs.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Relationship Between Metabolism, Developmental Schedules, and Longevity Using Phylogenetic Independent Contrasts

2007 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Pedro de Magalhães ◽  
Joana Costa ◽  
George M. Church
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Age At Maturity ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Species Longevity

AbstractComparative studies of aging are often difficult to interpret because of the different factors that tend to correlate with longevity. We used the AnAge database to study these factors, particularly metabolism and developmental schedules, previously associated with longevity in vertebrate species. Our results show that, after correcting for body mass and phylogeny, basal metabolic rate does not correlate with longevity in eutherians or birds, although it negatively correlates with marsupial longevity and time to maturity. We confirm the idea that age at maturity is typically proportional to adult life span, and show that mammals that live longer for their body size, such as bats and primates, also tend to have a longer developmental time for their body size. Lastly, postnatal growth rates were negatively correlated with adult life span in mammals but not in birds. Our work provides a detailed view of factors related to species longevity with implications for how comparative studies of aging are interpreted.

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