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Health & Social Care in the Community Mar 2018Loneliness and social isolation are major problems for older adults. Interventions and activities aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness are widely advocated... (Review)
Review
Loneliness and social isolation are major problems for older adults. Interventions and activities aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness are widely advocated as a solution to this growing problem. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review to identify the range and scope of interventions that target social isolation and loneliness among older people, to gain insight into why interventions are successful and to determine the effectiveness of those interventions. Six electronic databases were searched from 2003 until January 2016 for literature relating to interventions with a primary or secondary outcome of reducing or preventing social isolation and/or loneliness among older people. Data evaluation followed Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre guidelines and data analysis was conducted using a descriptive thematic method for synthesising data. The review identified 38 studies. A range of interventions were described which relied on differing mechanisms for reducing social isolation and loneliness. The majority of interventions reported some success in reducing social isolation and loneliness, but the quality of evidence was generally weak. Factors which were associated with the most effective interventions included adaptability, a community development approach, and productive engagement. A wide range of interventions have been developed to tackle social isolation and loneliness among older people. However, the quality of the evidence base is weak and further research is required to provide more robust data on the effectiveness of interventions. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to further develop theoretical understandings of how successful interventions mediate social isolation and loneliness.
Topics: Aged; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Loneliness; Male; Single Person; Social Behavior; Social Isolation; Social Planning; Social Support
PubMed: 27413007
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12367 -
Women's Midlife Health Feb 2023The number of never-married women is increasing worldwide. According to a recent census (2016) this trend is also apparent in Iran. The aim of the present study was to...
BACKGROUND
The number of never-married women is increasing worldwide. According to a recent census (2016) this trend is also apparent in Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate how never-married Iranian women cope with their single status.
METHODS
The present study was qualitative in nature. Purposeful sampling with maximum variation was used to select 18 never-married women aged over 35. Data were analyzed on the basis of conventional content analysis and inductive reasoning.
RESULTS
One hundred fifty-four codes, nine subcategories, three categories, and one theme were extracted. The three categories were: (1) responding to sexual needs (sub-categories: having sex; masturbation; sexual abstinence); (2) responding to emotional needs (sub-categories: getting used to being alone; living with family; closer relationship with good friends); (3) lifestyle changes (subcategories: accepting God's destiny; striving for beauty and health; becoming absorbed in work and education).
CONCLUSIONS
Results showed that never-married women aged over 35 tried to adapt to sexual and emotional needs and lifestyle changes as proxies of singleness in various ways. It appears that these women adopted several strategies to cope with the lack of a spouse, children, or family life, these normally being developmental tasks characteristic of early adulthood.
PubMed: 36805710
DOI: 10.1186/s40695-023-00086-1 -
BMC Psychiatry Apr 2019Parenthood is a life transition that can be especially demanding for vulnerable individuals. Young maternal age and maternal single status have been reported to increase...
BACKGROUND
Parenthood is a life transition that can be especially demanding for vulnerable individuals. Young maternal age and maternal single status have been reported to increase the risk for adverse outcomes for both mother and child. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of young maternal age and maternal single status on maternal and child mental health and child development at age 3.
METHODS
A birth-cohort of 1723 mothers and their children were followed from birth to age 3. Sixty-one mothers (3.5%) were age 20 or younger, and 65 (4.0%) reported single status at childbirth. The mothers filled out standardized instruments and medical information was retrieved from the standardized clinical assessment of the children at Child Welfare Centers, (CWC).
RESULTS
Young maternal age was associated with symptoms of postpartum depression whereas single status was not. Young mothers were more prone to report internalizing and externalizing problems in their children, while there was no association between single status and child behavioral problems. No differences were seen on child development (CWC scores). School drop-out was, however, a more influential factor on depressive symptoms postpartum than maternal age.
CONCLUSION
Young mothers are at increased risk for symptoms of postpartum depression which indicates the need for attention in pre- and postnatal health care programs. Single mothers and their children were not found to be at increased risk for adverse outcomes. The importance of schooling was demonstrated, indicating the need for societal support to encourage adolescents to remain in school.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Child Behavior; Child Behavior Disorders; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers; Pregnancy; Single Parent; Social Support; Sweden; Young Adult
PubMed: 30975129
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2082-y -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jul 2021
Topics: Appointments and Schedules; Child; Cost of Illness; Employment; Female; Humans; Male; Mother-Child Relations; Multiple Sclerosis; Parenting; Single Parent
PubMed: 34253552
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210988 -
Europe's Journal of Psychology Jun 2018This paper explores the unique role of religiosity in assisting Indonesian singles (extensively refer to those who are never married) and how it relates to the... (Review)
Review
This paper explores the unique role of religiosity in assisting Indonesian singles (extensively refer to those who are never married) and how it relates to the counseling and therapeutic practices with never-married clients. Whereas the role of religiosity has been drawn into scholarly attention for its effectiveness in dealing with many situations that are particularly related to social stigma, little is known regarding its role in assisting singles to overcoming stigma due to their singleness. Indonesian society regards marriage as a social achievement and this perception places singles in an undervalued position. On the contrary, the society regards positively those who demonstrate religious attributes. Therefore, religiosity is a potential factor that mediates social perception of singles who attach themselves to religious attributes (such as: religious symbols and rituals). Using database search methodology, this paper presents an overview of how religiosity assists singles in overcoming their challenges and discusses the implications of those dynamics in counseling settings.
PubMed: 30008958
DOI: 10.5964/ejop.v14i2.1530 -
Neuron Oct 2021Kay M. Tye shares how focusing on personal and team mental and physical health forms the necessary foundation for future success. In an interview with Neuron, she also...
Kay M. Tye shares how focusing on personal and team mental and physical health forms the necessary foundation for future success. In an interview with Neuron, she also discusses the need for better representation in STEM and how global lockdowns have reinvigorated her scientific interests in social homeostasis.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Neurosciences; SARS-CoV-2; Single Parent; Social Isolation; Travel; Videoconferencing; Women, Working; Work-Life Balance
PubMed: 34672978
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.029 -
BMC Psychology Aug 2021Cultural and religious norms and expectations may influence the needs and behavior of single women. This is particularly true in those countries where religion and...
BACKGROUND
Cultural and religious norms and expectations may influence the needs and behavior of single women. This is particularly true in those countries where religion and cultural expectations are salient in everyday life. In this context, the present study investigated the needs and concerns of Iranian never-married women aged 35 and older.
METHODS
This qualitative study involved a conventional content analysis. Interviews were done with 23 never-married women aged 36-64 years in Iran.
RESULTS
A total of 773 codes, 22 subcategories, 8 categories, and 3 themes were extracted from the interviews. The 3 themes were: (1) mental-spiritual lack; categories were lack of emotional support, uncertain future, mental rumination, and sexual worries; (2) reform of culture and society; categories were an adverse effect of culture and being overlooked in society; (3) loneliness arising from disability; categories were aging and loneliness and sickness and loneliness.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the analysis indicate that the needs and concerns of never-married women over the age of 35 years in Iran remain unmet. This suggests that policymakers and health planners should take into consideration the growing number of never-married women as a societal reality deserving of attention.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Iran; Loneliness; Qualitative Research; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 34462005
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00635-1 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Sep 2018The structure of adolescents' families, and thus parental forms, in the United States, have become more heterogeneous and fluid over the past several decades. These... (Review)
Review
The structure of adolescents' families, and thus parental forms, in the United States, have become more heterogeneous and fluid over the past several decades. These changes are due to increases in never-married, single parents, divorce, cohabitation, same-sex parenting, multi-partnered fertility, and co-residence with grandparents. We document current diversity and complexity in adolescents' families as important context for rethinking future parenting theory and research. We also discuss how understandings of adolescents' families are somewhat limited by current methods used to measure characteristics of families. We recommend social network and profile-based methods as alternatives to capturing key dimensions of family structure and processes. Understanding the diversity of households and families in which adolescents are raised can improve theory and research on parenting.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Marital Status; Parent-Child Relations; Parenting; Social Networking; United States
PubMed: 30197489
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12391 -
Canadian Journal of Public Health =... Mar 2016MAP (Mères avec pouvoir, or in English, Mothers with Power) is a program that proposes a comprehensive approach to promote the social and vocational integration of low...
OBJECTIVES
MAP (Mères avec pouvoir, or in English, Mothers with Power) is a program that proposes a comprehensive approach to promote the social and vocational integration of low income single mothers with children under six years old. Using the results of a qualitative evaluation of the program’s outcomes and the contextual factors that produced the outcomes, this article aims to identify the aspects of the program that are most promising for practise.
METHOD
To assess the program outcomes, the study used two monitoring tools and an information sheet on each participant. An in-depth analysis of the connections between the program’s outcomes and the contextual factors that produced them was conducted using 15 case studies, a case being defined as the integration path of each participant during their involvement in the program. For each case, four data sources were used; in addition to the monitoring tools, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the case workers at two points in time.
RESULTS
Data showed positive outcomes for this program. After three years, a majority of the participants returned to school, completed high school, started collegial studies, or found employment. These outcomes resulted from a set of factors, including structure provided in the living environment, support from an intervention team working in proximity with the participants, and individualized links with community programs and services.
CONCLUSION
The results support the relevance of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the social and vocational integration of low income single mothers.
ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.17269/CJPH.106.4845 and is accessible for authorized users.
Topics: Adult; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mothers; Poverty; Power, Psychological; Program Evaluation; Qualitative Research; Single Parent; Social Participation; Work; Young Adult
PubMed: 26978699
DOI: 10.17269/cjph.106.4845 -
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine May 2020The national burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to impose significant risk of morbidity, mortality and increased costs. While traditional risk factors have... (Review)
Review
The national burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to impose significant risk of morbidity, mortality and increased costs. While traditional risk factors have been well-established, the evolving role of non-traditional risk factors, including socioeconomic and psychosocial factors, is increasingly being recognized. Several studies have acknowledged an association between marital status and the presence of CVD and its associated adverse outcomes. Across multiple U.S. and international cohorts, patients who are unmarried, including those who are divorced, separated, widowed, or never married, have an increased rate of adverse cardiovascular events when compared to their married counterparts. Some studies suggest that marriage may have a more protective role for men compared to women. Furthermore, dissatisfaction in a marriage and marriage quality have significant impact on cardiovascular risk. Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors, as well as other acute stressors, may contribute to the association between marital status and CVD outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely clear. Further investigation is required to identify potential targets for intervention and to determine whether more aggressive targeting of standard anti-atherosclerotic therapies can favorably impact CVD risk in unmarried patients.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Marital Status; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Social Determinants of Health
PubMed: 31204239
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2019.05.012