How to measure social health in the context of cognitive decline and dementia - A systematic review on instruments.

Abstract

Background:Besides aspects of physical and mental health and quality of life aspects the concept of social health is getting increasing attention in dementia research. Current research has led to a new umbrella concept of social health and first studies show relationships between social health markers and cognitive decline and dementia. But so far, no general overview exists how to measure social health in empirical studies.Objective:The objective of this study therefore is to provide a systematic overview of instruments measuring aspects of social health and proposing a classification based on the new umbrella concept of social health.Methods:Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines a systematic review was conducted. The online search covered the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL within a publication period from 1st January 2000 till 15th October 2020 for English publications. To classify instruments a new multidimensional framework of social health was used.Results:A total of 150 studies with 68 single instruments were included into the study. A broad range of study types was covered (i.e., feasibility studies, cross-national panel studies) from all over the world, with the majority of studies being conducted in the USA. Most of the described instruments consist of self-report measures, but also proxy and hybrid tools were found. The length of the instruments in terms of the number of single items ranged from 3-126 items, with a median length of 13 items. On the individual level of social health with the three domains capacities, autonomy and social participation we classified 42 instruments and on the social environment level with the three domains structure, functions and appraisal we classified 53 instruments. A large part of the identified instruments only addresses single aspects of social health and does not address the multidimensionality of the concept.Conclusion:A structured overview of measures related to the conceptual framework of social health can help develop appropriate interventions for people with dementia and improve the conditions for living well with dementia. Furthermore, the creation of new standardized and terminologically consistent measures of social health is one of the tasks for future research in the field of social health.