scholarly journals How does neighborhood psychosocial interventions affect the link between living alone and psychological disorders in later life?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak M Gyasi ◽  
Kabila Abass ◽  
Samuel Adu-Gyamfi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background: Social isolation is widespread and strongly associated with deleterious health-related outcomes across the life course in low- and middle-income settings. Despite this broad base of knowledge, there is little reported research on the pathways linking living alone to later life psychological state. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of living alone on psychological disorder in middle- aged and older people and to explore the protective role of potential psychosocial strategies such as social participation and physical activity. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Survey involving nationally representative sample of 1200 adults aged 50+ years in Ghana. The study focused on a latent measure of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and on the General Practice Physical Activity Scale (GPPAS). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models evaluated the effect of living alone interactively with neighborhood engagement measures on the indicator of mental disorder. Results: The results showed that living alone was independent predictor of psychological distress in the overall sample, among females, urban dwellers and all age groups. However, physical activity and social participation significantly buffered against these associations. In the stratified analysis, physical activity moderated the association for males, rural-dwellers and those 65+ years whilst social participation modified the association for females, urban-dwellers and those 50-64 years. Conclusions: Psychosocial mechanisms strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with the risk of psychological distress in older age. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of chronically detached and isolated older people.

scholarly journals How Does Neighborhood Engagement Affect the Association of Living Alone with Mental Disorder Risks in Older People?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak M Gyasi ◽  
Kabila Abass ◽  
Samuel Adu-Gyamfi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background: Social isolation has been increasingly recognized as a strong risk factor for health-related outcomes, yet, there is limited knowledge about the pathways linking living alone to later life psychological disorders. This study examines the influence of living alone on older people’s psychological disorders and explores the protective role of neighborhood engagement such as social participation and physical activity. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Survey involving nationally representative sample of 1200 adults aged 50+ years in Ghana. The study focused on a latent measure of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and on the General Practice Physical Activity Scale. Ordinary Least Squares models assessed the effect of living alone interactively with neighborhood characteristics on the indicator of mental disorder. Results: The results showed that living alone was independent predictor of poor mental disorder in the overall sample, among females, urban dwellers and all age groups. However, physical activity and social participation significantly buffered against these associations. In the stratified analysis, physical activity moderated the association for males, rural-dwellers and those 65+ years whilst social participation modified the association for females, urban-dwellers and those 50-64 years. Conclusions: Neighborhood characteristics strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with mental disorders. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of older people living alone.

scholarly journals New Bikes for the Old

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-56
Author(s):  
Aske Juul Lassen ◽  
Tiago Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Sustainable Living ◽  
Key Technology ◽  
Ethnographic Data

In the last 15 years, STS has established a research programme focused on the sociotechnical reconfiguration of later life, particularly as new political programmes aim to deploy ‘active ageing’ in contemporary societies. In Denmark, the bicycle is a key technology in this aim, because of how it articulates sustainable living, health and social participation. Thus, two new ‘inclusive cycling’ initiatives for older people have been developed. Drawing on ethnographic data, we explore the ways the bikes differ, and how they explicitly mobilise active ageing as a form of ‘good old age’ in different ways. We argue that whereas ‘Cycling without Age’ rickshaws attempt to assemble social participation for older people, ‘Duo-Bikes’ aim to enable capacities through physical activity in later life. We further explore what happens when these two schemes meet, and suggest how searching for a compromise will be necessary to enhance opportunities to cycle in later life.  

scholarly journals The Active Aging Agenda, Old Folk Devils and a New Moral Panic

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C.J. Pike
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Moral Panics ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Policy Agendas

The proposal that older people should engage in “active aging” has come to dominate local, national, and international policy agendas. This encompasses a variety of ways that older persons might maintain active citizenship, but invariably promotes physical activity and exercise as having health and social benefits, despite a lack of conclusive evidence to support such claims. In this paper, I further examine the meaning of these claims through an analysis of policy documents, reports, and media articles which promote the perceived benefits of physical activity in later life. I revisit Cohen’s (2002) concepts of folk devils and moral panics to understand how these messages simultaneously problematize older people while creating a market for emergent moral entrepreneurs who claim to have the solution to the problem they have in part created. I conclude with recommendations for improved understanding of the benefits and appropriate provision for active aging.

scholarly journals Loneliness, older people and a proposed social work response

2020 ◽  
pp. 146801732092763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hagan
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Older People ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Family Networks ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Work Intervention ◽  
The Uk

Summary This article is based upon a scoping review of literature about older people and loneliness. Findings Increasingly in the UK, older people’s experience of loneliness is conceptualised as a public health concern. Social workers will wish to respond appropriately to older adults reporting loneliness but may react on the basis of keenly held assumptions about loneliness in later life, with scant regard to distinct subcategorisation of the construct. Exploring what an appropriate social work response may be, this article first sets out four misconceptions related to older people’s loneliness: that older people are especially lonely, loneliness correlates with living alone, strengthening family networks is best for alleviating loneliness, and loneliness interventions should tackle the issue directly. Applications A proposed model is introduced regarding social work intervention, focusing upon direct assessment of needs, the maintenance of meaningful existing relationships and, if required, potential introduction of new social support avenues. Additionally, it is recognised that a separate response to long-term chronic loneliness may involve psychological work addressing cognition.

Physical activity among older people living alone in Shanghai, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Alison E While ◽  
Allan Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Living Alone

scholarly journals The transition to living alone and psychological distress in later life

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Stone ◽  
M. Evandrou ◽  
J. Falkingham
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Living Alone

scholarly journals There Is No Community Here: Living Alone, Place, and Older Peoples' Risk of Social Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 122-123
Author(s):  
Rachel Weldrick
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Diverse Range

Abstract Existing research has identified significant risk factors for experiencing social isolation in later life including chronic health conditions, mobility impairments, and living alone among others. Although many older people who live alone maintain active social lives, living alone remains a top predictor of social isolation. Less is known about other types of risk factors, such as place-based risks and social exclusion. Despite calls to examine the role of place and social exclusion in social isolation risk, few studies have investigated the links. Models of isolation risk have often omitted place-based factors and social exclusion and focused largely on individual-level risks. In order to address these gaps, this paper presents the findings of 17 in-depth, qualitative interviews with community-dwelling older people who live alone (aged 65-93). Participants were recruited using a theoretical sampling strategy to ensure that a diverse range of neighbourhood types were represented among the participants (e.g., walkable vs. car-dependent neighbourhoods). Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constructivist grounded approach resulting in several major themes. Participants described aspects of their local environments as shaping their risk of isolation including infrastructure and amenities delivered in place, and neighbourhood makeup, among others. These themes are further examined through the lens of place-based exclusion and used to conceptualize how dimensions of both place and social exclusion fit into the model of known isolation risk factors. An adapted model of risk is presented to guide future research and intervention planning.

scholarly journals Benefits of Physical Activity and Its Associations with Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Distress in University Students from Southern Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia San Román-Mata ◽  
Pilar Puertas-Molero ◽  
José Luis Ubago-Jiménez ◽  
Gabriel González-Valero
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Distress Scale

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study in a sample of 1095 university students from southern Spain. The aim was to identify the frequency of health-fulfilling physical activity engagement reported by participants. Sufficient physical activity was categorized according to whether participants ‘achieved minimum recommendations’ (≥150 min of moderate physical activity) or ‘did not achieve minimum recommendations’ (≤150 min of moderate physical activity). Participants were further categorized as: inactive (does not engage in physical activity or sport), engaging in physical activity that is not beneficial to health (≤300 min of moderate physical activity per week) and engaging in physical activity that is beneficial to health (≥300 min of moderate physical activity per week). Possible relationships with psychosocial factors and perceived psychological distress were explored. An ad hoc questionnaire was used to record the time in minutes of physical activity engagement per week. The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Trait Meta-mood Scale, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were also administered. Statically significant differences are shown between the three examined groups: physical inactivity and non-beneficial physical activity; physical inactivity and beneficial physical activity, and; non-beneficial physical activity and beneficial physical activity. Positive and direct correlations were seen with respect to resilience and understanding, and emotional regulation, in addition to negative associations with respect to psychological distress. In conclusion, the more individuals engage in beneficial physical activity, the greater their resilience and emotional management, and the lower their rates of psychological distress.

Relationship of age and gender to the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in later life

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. Byles ◽  
Lucy Gallienne ◽  
Fiona M. Blyth ◽  
Emily Banks
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:As populations age, psychological distress in late life will become of increasing public health and social importance. This study seeks to bridge the gap in information that exists about psychological distress in late life, by exploring the prevalence of psychological distress among a very large sample of older adults to determine the impact of age and gender, and the modifying effect of these factors on the associations between measures of psychological distress and sociodemographic and comorbid conditions.Methods:We analyzed self-reported data from 236,508 men and women in the New South Wales 45 and Up Study, to determine the impact of age and gender, and the modifying effects of these factors on associations between psychological distress and sociodemographic and comorbid conditions.Results:Higher education, married status, and higher income were associated with lower risk of psychological distress. Although overall prevalence of psychological distress is lower at older ages, this increases after age 80, and is particularly associated with physical disabilities. Some older people (such as those requiring help because of disability and those with multiple comorbid health conditions) are at increased risk of psychological distress.Conclusion:These findings have implications for both healthcare providers and policy-makers in identifying and responding to the needs of older people in our aging society.

scholarly journals Social Exclusion and Suicidal Ideation: Analysis of the Bereaved Living Alone

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 69-69
Author(s):  
Bomi Choi ◽  
Hey Jung Jun ◽  
Sun Ah Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Community Health Survey

Abstract The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between social exclusion and suicidal ideation among bereaved older people living alone. When people with a significant loss in the familial relationship are exposed to social exclusion, they likely experience poor mental health and suicidal ideation. Using the Korean Community Health Survey 2017, logistic regression model was applied to the bereaved older people living alone, 65 to 110 of age (N=14,659). Social exclusion was comprised of three network-based components: exclusion from relationships, social participation, and community. Relationship exclusion means the lack of contact with family, friends, and neighbors, respectively, at least once a week. Social participation exclusion refers to the lack of participation in a religious, socializing, and leisure activity, respectively, at least once a month. Community exclusion covers two indicators of trust in neighbors and perception of neighborhood reciprocity. Results showed that indicators of relationship, social participation, and community exclusion were associated with suicidal ideation. Bereaved, living-alone older people were likely to have suicidal ideation when they lack contact with neighbors (OR=1.13, p<.05), participation in the religious activity (OR=1.12, p<.05) and socializing activity (OR=1.20, p<.05), and trust in neighbors (OR=1.29, p<.001). The moderation analysis showed that exclusion from socializing activity was associated with suicidal ideation only among females. The results of the analyses imply that interventions that promote social participation could improve the mental health of the bereaved older adults living alone.

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