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Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Mar 2020To review the problems of social isolation, loneliness, and social vulnerability in older adults and the associated risks, and to help primary care providers identify... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review the problems of social isolation, loneliness, and social vulnerability in older adults and the associated risks, and to help primary care providers identify patients at risk and recommend effective interventions.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
PubMed and PsycINFO searches were conducted using the terms and and associated key words for relevant English-language articles. References of identified articles were also hand searched. A separate search of the gray literature using Google was conducted to find policy documents and knowledge translation materials from relevant organizations. The search covered relevant articles from the 10 years before June 2019.
MAIN MESSAGE
Social isolation, loneliness, and social vulnerability are very common in older adults and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, comparable to established risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and frailty. Numerous interventions addressing loneliness and social isolation have been studied: social facilitation (including technology), exercise, psychological therapies, health and social services, animal therapy, befriending, and leisure and skill development. However, current evidence of effectiveness is limited. A patient-centred approach is essential to the selection of interventions. The needs of underserviced and marginalized populations, including new immigrants, older adults identifying as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and related communities), Indigenous seniors, and seniors living in poverty, as well as the needs of long-term care residents and older caregivers, require further evaluation.
CONCLUSION
Social isolation, loneliness, and social vulnerability are common problems in older adults and have important health consequences. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to identify lonely and socially isolated older adults and to initiate services.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Loneliness; Mental Health; Primary Health Care; Risk Factors; Social Isolation; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 32165464
DOI: No ID Found -
Perspectives on Psychological Science :... Mar 2015In 1978, when the Task Panel report to the US President's Commission on Mental Health emphasized the importance of improving health care and easing the pain of those... (Review)
Review
In 1978, when the Task Panel report to the US President's Commission on Mental Health emphasized the importance of improving health care and easing the pain of those suffering from emotional distress syndromes including loneliness, few anticipated that this issue would still need to be addressed 40 years later. A meta-analysis (Masi et al., 2011) on the efficacy of treatments to reduce loneliness identified a need for well-controlled randomized clinical trials focusing on the rehabilitation of maladaptive social cognition. We review assessments of loneliness and build on this meta-analysis to discuss the efficacy of various treatments for loneliness. With the advances made over the past 5 years in the identification of the psychobiological and pharmaceutical mechanisms associated with loneliness and maladaptive social cognition, there is increasing evidence for the potential efficacy of integrated interventions that combine (social) cognitive behavioral therapy with short-term adjunctive pharmacological treatments.
Topics: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Humans; Loneliness; Psychotropic Drugs
PubMed: 25866548
DOI: 10.1177/1745691615570616 -
Trends in Cognitive Sciences Oct 2009Social species, from Drosophila melanogaster to Homo sapiens, fare poorly when isolated. Homo sapiens, an irrepressibly meaning-making species, are, in normal... (Review)
Review
Social species, from Drosophila melanogaster to Homo sapiens, fare poorly when isolated. Homo sapiens, an irrepressibly meaning-making species, are, in normal circumstances, dramatically affected by perceived social isolation. Research indicates that perceived social isolation (i.e. loneliness) is a risk factor for, and may contribute to, poorer overall cognitive performance, faster cognitive decline, poorer executive functioning, increased negativity and depressive cognition, heightened sensitivity to social threats, a confirmatory bias in social cognition that is self-protective and paradoxically self-defeating, heightened anthropomorphism and contagion that threatens social cohesion. These differences in attention and cognition impact on emotions, decisions, behaviors and interpersonal interactions that can contribute to the association between loneliness and cognitive decline and between loneliness and morbidity more generally.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cognition; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Loneliness; Neural Pathways; Neuropsychological Tests; Problem Solving; Social Isolation; Social Perception
PubMed: 19726219
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2009.06.005 -
Gerontology 2016Increasing evidence suggests that perceived social isolation or loneliness is a major risk factor for physical and mental illness in later life. This review assesses the... (Review)
Review
Increasing evidence suggests that perceived social isolation or loneliness is a major risk factor for physical and mental illness in later life. This review assesses the status of research on loneliness and health in older adults. Key concepts and definitions of loneliness are identified, and the prevalence, correlates, and health effects of loneliness in older individuals are reviewed. Theoretical mechanisms that underlie the association between loneliness and health are also described, and illustrative studies examining these mechanisms are summarized. Intervention approaches to reduce loneliness in old age are highlighted, and priority recommendations for future research are presented.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Health Status; Healthy Aging; Humans; Loneliness; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Social Isolation
PubMed: 26539997
DOI: 10.1159/000441651 -
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric... Apr 2017Loneliness and depression are associated, in particular in older adults. Less is known about the role of social networks in this relationship. The present study analyzes...
PURPOSE
Loneliness and depression are associated, in particular in older adults. Less is known about the role of social networks in this relationship. The present study analyzes the influence of social networks in the relationship between loneliness and depression in the older adult population in Spain.
METHODS
A population-representative sample of 3535 adults aged 50 years and over from Spain was analyzed. Loneliness was assessed by means of the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Social network characteristics were measured using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index. Major depression in the previous 12 months was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the survey data.
RESULTS
Feelings of loneliness were more prevalent in women, those who were younger (50-65), single, separated, divorced or widowed, living in a rural setting, with a lower frequency of social interactions and smaller social network, and with major depression. Among people feeling lonely, those with depression were more frequently married and had a small social network. Among those not feeling lonely, depression was associated with being previously married. In depressed people, feelings of loneliness were associated with having a small social network; while among those without depression, feelings of loneliness were associated with being married.
CONCLUSION
The type and size of social networks have a role in the relationship between loneliness and depression. Increasing social interaction may be more beneficial than strategies based on improving maladaptive social cognition in loneliness to reduce the prevalence of depression among Spanish older adults.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Loneliness; Male; Middle Aged; Social Support; Spain
PubMed: 28154893
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-017-1339-3 -
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 -
JAMA Network Open Oct 2022Loneliness and social isolation are public health concerns faced by older adults due to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that develop with aging. Loneliness... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Loneliness and social isolation are public health concerns faced by older adults due to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that develop with aging. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate interventions, targeting older adults, associated with a reduction in loneliness and social isolation.
DATA SOURCES
OVID, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Embase, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2020.
STUDY SELECTION
Peer-reviewed randomized clinical trials measuring loneliness and social isolation or support in adults aged 65 years or older. Only English language articles were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Random-effects models were performed to pool the overall effect size by intervention. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic and by estimating prediction intervals. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to September 2022.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Quantitative measures of loneliness, social isolation, or social support based on an effect size of standardized mean differences.
RESULTS
Seventy studies were included in the systematic review (8259 participants); 44 studies were included in the loneliness meta-analysis (33 in the community with 3535 participants; 11 in long-term care with 1057 participants), with participants' ages ranging from 55 to 100 years. Study sizes ranged from 8 to 741 participants. Interventions included animal therapy, psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, multicomponent, counseling, exercise, music therapy, occupational therapy, reminiscence therapy, social interventions, and technological interventions. Most interventions had a small effect size. Animal therapy in long-term care, when accounting for studies with no active controls, had the largest effect size on loneliness reduction (-1.86; 95% CI, -3.14 to -0.59; I2 = 86%) followed by technological interventions (videoconferencing) in long-term care (-1.40; 95% CI, -2.37 to -0.44; I2 = 70%).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, animal therapy and technology in long-term care had large effect sizes, but also high heterogeneity, so the effect size's magnitude should be interpreted with caution. The small number of studies per intervention limits conclusions on sources of heterogeneity. Overall quality of evidence was very low. Future studies should consider measures of social isolation in long-term care and identify the contextual components that are associated with a reduction in loneliness.
Topics: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Exercise; Loneliness; Psychotherapy; Social Isolation
PubMed: 36251294
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36676 -
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling Mar 2018Social and demographic changes have led to an increased prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in modern society. Recent Advances: Population-based studies have... (Review)
Review
SIGNIFICANCE
Social and demographic changes have led to an increased prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in modern society. Recent Advances: Population-based studies have demonstrated that both objective social isolation and the perception of social isolation (loneliness) are correlated with a higher risk of mortality and that both are clearly risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lonely individuals have increased peripheral vascular resistance and elevated blood pressure. Socially isolated animals develop more atherosclerosis than those housed in groups.
CRITICAL ISSUES
Molecular mechanisms responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk are poorly understood. In recent reports, loneliness and social stress were associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Repeated and chronic social stress leads to glucocorticoid resistance, enhanced myelopoiesis, upregulated proinflammatory gene expression, and oxidative stress. However, the causal role of these mechanisms in the development of loneliness-associated CVD remains unclear.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of how CVD is induced by loneliness and social isolation requires additional studies. Understanding of the pathomechanisms is essential for the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent the detrimental effects of social stress on health. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 837-851.
Topics: Cardiovascular System; Female; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Loneliness; Male; Risk Factors; Social Isolation
PubMed: 28903579
DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7312 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022The use of social networking sites for socializing, having fun, solving academic tasks or even getting counselling for health-related problems is now inevitable.
UNLABELLED
The use of social networking sites for socializing, having fun, solving academic tasks or even getting counselling for health-related problems is now inevitable.
METHODS
A total of 427 medical students, who are users of social media sites, were included in the research. Data about socio-demographic, anthropometric, and self-rated items regarding satisfaction with physical and mental health were collected. Three psychological tools were also used to measure self-esteem (, body-esteem () and loneliness (. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
RESULTS
Students use these networks for socialization (49.0%), entertainment (31.1%) and academic tasks (19.9%), spending 3.38 ± 0.80 h per day on SNSs. Less than half of them (47.5%) compared themselves to other SNS profiles. The use of Snapchat was found to be strongly positively correlated with self-esteem, and weight status was negatively correlated with the use of TikTok. More than three-quarters declared that they exercised to lose weight or to prevent weight gain. Participants were found to have a high level of body esteem. Almost half of the students proved to have a moderate to a high level of loneliness. Age and gender were found to be important: the younger the user, the higher the scores for loneliness and feeling depressed, and the greater the number of hours on SNSs. The total score for self-esteem was significantly higher in men than in women, and male students appreciated themselves as being in a better state of mental health than women.
CONCLUSIONS
The results prove a relationship between the use of SNSs and the presence of loneliness, self-esteem and body-esteem, with gender differences. However, the use of SNSs should not be neglected in clinical settings, and are a good means of reaching patients and providing medical and psychological intervention.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Loneliness; Male; Self Concept; Social Media; Social Networking; Students, Medical
PubMed: 35564458
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095064 -
Acta Psychologica Jul 2022The loneliness of modern people is becoming more and more prominent, and has brought profoundly negative effects on mental health. Social support is an important... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The loneliness of modern people is becoming more and more prominent, and has brought profoundly negative effects on mental health. Social support is an important predictor of loneliness. However, the size of the correlation reported by studies on the relation between social support and loneliness varies greatly. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the relation between social support and loneliness. One hundred and seventy-seven articles (N = 113,427) were identified, and robust variance estimation with random effects were used. As expected, higher levels of social support were negatively correlated with loneliness (r = -0.39). The association between social support and loneliness were also moderated by several variables. Specifically, the negative relationship between loneliness and social support among rural populations is stronger than that of urban populations in Chinese samples, the effect of perceived social support (r = -0.45) on loneliness is greater than that of other social supports (r = -0.36), and the friend support (r = -0.48) played a more important role in reducing loneliness than that of two other supports (family support: r = -0.34; significant other support: r = -0.40). The current results support robust links between social support and loneliness, emphasizing the important role of social support in reducing levels of loneliness, this may have some implications for future research and loneliness treatments.
Topics: Asian People; Humans; Loneliness; Social Support
PubMed: 35576818
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103616