Levels Of Social Contact Research Articles

Neuroticism personality, social contact, and dementia risk: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundPersonality traits, especially neuroticism, can influence susceptibility to dementia. Social contact mitigates stress and risk of dementia, the extent to which social contact can mitigate excess risk associated with neuroticism remains unclear. We aim to investigate whether active social contact is associated with lower neuroticism-associated excess risk of dementia. MethodsThis prospective cohort study examined 393,939 UK Biobank participants (mean [SD] age: 56.4 [8.1] years; 53.7 % female) assessed from 2006 to 2010 and followed up until December 2022. Neuroticism was measured using the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Social contact levels were assessed based on household size, contact with family or friends, and group participation. Dementia was determined using linked electronic health records. ResultsHigh neuroticism was associated with increased all-cause dementia risk and cause-specific dementia. Among high neuroticism participants, excess risk of all-cause dementia showed a stepwise decrease with increasing social contact (low: hazard ratios (HR) = 1.27, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.15–1.40; intermediate: HR = 1.20, 95 % CI = 1.12–1.28; high: HR = 1.07, 95 % CI = 1.00–1.15). High social contact similarly decreased excess risk of cause-specific dementia, comparable to those with low neuroticism. LimitationsNeuroticism and social contact information relied on self-report questionnaires at baseline, with a potential temporal relationship between these factors. ConclusionActive social contact is associated with a stepwise reduction in excess dementia risk and potentially eliminate excess risk of dementia with high neuroticism individuals, supporting social contact as a preventive strategy to attenuate excess risks of dementia from neuroticism personality trait.

Crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic: Changes in social contact and social participation of older Americans.

This study aimed to assess changes in social contact with family, friends and healthcare providers, as well as social participation in working, volunteering, religious services and other organized activities, among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic while examining the role of pre-COVID sociodemographic characteristics or cognitive and physical limitations in changes in social contact and participation. We conducted secondary data analyses in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) COVID-19 questionnaire, collected in 2020 during a period of workplace closures and social distancing guidelines. We linked data to pre-COVID sociodemographic and medical information collected in 2019 before COVID interrupted social life. The frequency of participants' social contact and social participation prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, were compared using paired t-tests for summed scores. Multivariate linear regression was used to relate participants' socio-demographic, prior physical and cognitive performance with levels of social contact and participation and with changes reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, results from 2,486 eligible participants revealed that COVID-19 was associated with decreased social contact among family and friends (change: -0.62; SE: 0.06; p<0.0001), and social participation among older adults (change: -0.58; SE: 0.02; p<0.0001). Pre-COVID characteristics including older age, lower educational attainment, poorer physical performance, and more chronic conditions were associated with lower social contact and social participation and with how older adults adapted their social lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results emphasize the importance of increasing digital inclusion for older adults in a major crisis.

The association between social ties and changes in depressive symptoms among veterans enrolled in a collaborative depression care management program.

A greater understanding of factors that are associated with successful outcomes among patients receiving collaborative depression care services is needed. This study sought to examine the unique associations between 3 indices of social ties and changes in depressive symptoms among veterans receiving collaborative depression care management. Data on sociodemographics, behavioral health indices, perceived general health, perceived social support, frequency of negative social exchanges, and degree of social contact were extracted from the electronic health records of 868 veterans meeting criteria for at least moderate depressive symptom severity and enrolled in a Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. Veterans were on average 51.3 (SD = 15.9) years old and primarily male. Higher depressive symptoms at baseline were significantly correlated with less perceived social support, less frequent contact with family and friends, and greater frequency of negative social exchanges. Adjusted regression analyses revealed that only social contact was significantly related to changes in depressive symptoms over the course of care management, once controlling for covariates. The results highlight the value of taking multiple indices of social ties into account when providing depression care management services. Routinely assessing patients' level of social contact can potentially help tailor and inform intervention efforts aimed at reducing depressive symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Влияние режима сна и бодрствования на адаптационные возможности организма полярников в условиях антарктической зимовки

This article studies the influence of the sleep pattern (duration of uninterrupted sleep and rhythm of sleep periods) on the condition of the body’s adaptive resources during a year-round stay at a research station in Antarctica. We compared two cases that coincide in most parameters of daily life (living conditions, influence of environmental factors, level of social contacts, anthropometric data, and health status), but differ in terms of day regimen due to work activities. To assess the body’s adaptive capabilities, the index of regulatory and adaptive status (IRAS) was used, calculated by parameters obtained by the method of cardio-respiratory synchronism. The first subject (a radio operator) showed IRAS dynamics coinciding with deterioration and improvement of environmental conditions (daylight hours, weather conditions) affecting the Antarctic station staff, which was a predicted result. The second subject (a meteorologist) demonstrated a fundamentally different dynamics of the body’s adaptive capabilities: during deterioration of environmental conditions, the body’s adaptive resources increased due to lower work intensity and, as a result, a significant improvement in the sleep pattern. IRAS dynamics showed that the amount and quality of sleep has a more significant impact on human health than adverse weather conditions (storms). This opens up a wide range of opportunities to compensate for unavoidable adverse environmental conditions and help to preserve, as much as possible, the capacity for work in members of polar expeditions during wintering, as sudden decompensation can cause disruption to ongoing programmes at the research station. For citation: Dey V.A., Polishchuk S.V., Pokrovskiy V.M. Influence of Sleep–Wake Patterns on the Body’s Adaptive Capabilities During Antarctic Wintering. Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2021, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 138–144. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1491-Z051

Determining the level of social distancing necessary to avoid future COVID-19 epidemic waves: a modelling study for North East London

Determining the level of social distancing, quantified here as the reduction in daily number of social contacts per person, i.e. the daily contact rate, needed to maintain control of the COVID-19 epidemic and not exceed acute bed capacity in case of future epidemic waves, is important for future planning of relaxing of strict social distancing measures. This work uses mathematical modelling to simulate the levels of COVID-19 in North East London (NEL) and inform the level of social distancing necessary to protect the public and the healthcare demand from future COVID-19 waves. We used a Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Removed (SEIR) model describing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in NEL, calibrated to data on hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19, hospital discharges and in-hospital deaths in NEL during the first epidemic wave. To account for the uncertainty in both the infectiousness period and the proportion of symptomatic infection, we simulated nine scenarios for different combinations of infectiousness period (1, 3 and 5 days) and proportion of symptomatic infection (70%, 50% and 25% of all infections). Across all scenarios, the calibrated model was used to assess the risk of occurrence and predict the strength and timing of a second COVID-19 wave under varying levels of daily contact rate from July 04, 2020. Specifically, the daily contact rate required to suppress the epidemic and prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and the daily contact rate required to stay within the acute bed capacity of the NEL system without any additional intervention measures after July 2020, were determined across the nine different scenarios. Our results caution against a full relaxing of the lockdown later in 2020, predicting that a return to pre-COVID-19 levels of social contact from July 04, 2020, would induce a second wave up to eight times the original wave. With different levels of ongoing social distancing, future resurgence can be avoided, or the strength of the resurgence can be mitigated. Keeping the daily contact rate lower than 5 or 6, depending on scenarios, can prevent an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, could keep the effective reproduction number Re below 1 and a secondary COVID-19 wave may be avoided in NEL. A daily contact rate between 6 and 7, across scenarios, is likely to increase Re above 1 and result in a secondary COVID-19 wave with significantly increased COVID-19 cases and associated deaths, but with demand for hospital-based care remaining within the bed capacity of the NEL health and care system. In contrast, an increase in daily contact rate above 8 to 9, depending on scenarios, will likely exceed the acute bed capacity in NEL and may potentially require additional lockdowns. This scenario is associated with significantly increased COVID-19 cases and deaths, and acute COVID-19 care demand is likely to require significant scaling down of the usual operation of the health and care system and should be avoided. Our findings suggest that to avoid future COVID-19 waves and to stay within the acute bed capacity of the NEL health and care system, maintaining social distancing in NEL is advised with a view to limiting the average number of social interactions in the population. Increasing the level of social interaction beyond the limits described in this work could result in future COVID-19 waves that will likely exceed the acute bed capacity in the system, and depending on the strength of the resurgence may require additional lockdown measures.

Evaluating the longitudinal impact of a disability education intervention on medical students’ attitudes towards persons with a disability

BackgroundThe attitudes and empathy levels of healthcare providers towards persons with a disability have been highlighted as important factors contributing to the quality of healthcare provided to this patient population. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether changes in medical students’ attitudes and empathy towards persons with a disability following an educational intervention were maintained when measured again one year post intervention. This study provided a one year longitudinal follow up to a previous study investigating the efficacy of an educational intervention to cultivate positive change in empathy levels and attitudes towards disability. MethodAn online survey was distributed to medical students who had completed a disability module one year previously during their second year of medical training. The survey comprised measures of attitude, empathy and level of social contact with persons with a disability. ResultsThough there was a statistically significant increase in both attitude and empathy measures immediately post intervention, these gains were not sustained when measured one year later. In the case of empathy, levels measured one year later had decreased significantly from baseline measures at pretest. No significant relationship was observed between level of social contact and measures of attitudes and empathy. ConclusionsWhile previous research suggests that the educational intervention has been successful in ameliorating both attitudes and empathy levels in the short term, this study highlights the difficulty in sustaining such improvements. Changes to the design and delivery of educational interventions may be necessary for the benefits to persist into the long term.

Personal Value Preferences, Threat-Benefit Appraisal of Immigrants and Levels of Social Contact: Looking Through the Lens of the Stereotype Content Model.

The study examines a model proposing relationships between personal values, positive (i.e., benefits) and negative (i.e., threats) appraisal of immigrants, and social contact. Based on a values-attitudes-behavior paradigm, the study extends previous work on personal values and attitudes to immigrants by examining not only negative but also positive appraisal and their connection with social contact with immigrants. Using a representative sample of 1,600 adults in the majority population in Israel, results showed that higher preference for anxiety-avoidance values (self-enhancement and conservation) was related to higher levels of perceived threat and lower levels of benefit, while higher preference for anxiety-free values (self-transcendence and openness to change) was related to higher levels of perceived benefits and lower levels of threat. Greater opportunities for contact and perceived benefits and lower levels of threats were related to more social contact. The model showed good fit across the total sample, and across four diverse immigrant groups in Israel (diaspora immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Western countries, and asylum seekers). In line with a Stereotype Content Model, which suggests that group-specific stereotypes are related to social structural characteristics of the group, associations between variables differed by group. Results strengthen a theoretical conceptualization that posits an indirect relationship between personal value preferences and behavior through group appraisal. They highlight the importance of comprehensive conceptualizations including both positive and negative appraisal of immigrants, which take into account the way different groups may be appraised by the majority population.

Factors affecting the psychological well-being of immigrants: The role of group self-appraisal, social contacts, and perceived ethnic density.

Using a threat-benefit theory (Tartakovsky & Walsh, 2016b, 2019; Walsh, Tartakovsky, & Shifter-David, 2018), we aimed to examine a new theoretical model in which the psychological well-being of immigrants is associated with the appraisal of their own immigrant group as bringing benefits (and not just threats) to the receiving society. The model suggests that group self-appraisal is related to psychological well-being, both directly and indirectly, through levels of social contact with the majority population and fellow immigrants. The survey was conducted in a representative sample of 400 adult first-generation immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel. The participants completed anonymous questionnaires examining the threat and benefit appraisal of their own immigrant group, levels of positive and negative contact with the majority population and fellow immigrants, perceived ethnic density (a subjective assessment of the proportion of FSU immigrants in one's neighborhood and at work), and psychological well-being. Structural equation modeling was used to test the theoretical model. Threat and benefit appraisal predicted psychological well-being both directly and indirectly, through levels of positive and negative social contact with the majority population and FSU immigrants. Perceived ethnic density predicted the psychological well-being of immigrants indirectly, through levels of positive and negative contact with the majority population and fellow immigrants. The study results corroborate a new theoretical model in which immigrants' self-appraisal of their group as both benefitting and threatening the receiving society can predict the immigrants' psychological well-being. This finding highlights the human need to feel that one's in-group is contributing to the society for the person's psychological well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Validity of the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in Spanish older population: competitive structural models and item response theory.

Loneliness is a subjective measure of one's state of mind and the negative feelings about one's level of social contact, which usually involves an unwanted discrepancy between existing and desired relationships. It is measured through self-reported questionnaires, among which a widely used one is the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS). Although it has been previously tested and proven to be a reliable tool for measuring loneliness of Spanish older people, some relevant research questions remain unsolved. Therefore, this article aims to present a validity study of the Spanish version of the DJGLS for its use with older people, by establishing its factorial validity; studying the adequateness of a Rasch model underlying participants' responses; offering evidence of its reliability; and testing for convergent and discriminant validity. Data were obtained in a survey conducted with older adults attending Lifelong Learning programs in Valencia (Spain). The sample consisted of 335 people aged 55years or older. Sociodemographic data were collected, and loneliness was measured with the DJGLS and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Results have supported a unidimensional substantive structure, but with minor method effects associated with negatively worded items. In terms of multidimensional IRT analysis, the 2 Parameters Logistic Model fitted the data well and offered better information functions than the Rasch model. Reliability and criterion-related validity estimates were adequate.

Preferences of lame cows for type of surface and level of social contact in hospital pens

To investigate preferences of lame cows for flooring and level of social contact, 37 lame, lactating dairy cows (diagnosed with sole ulcer or white line disease) were housed individually for 6 d in experimental hospital pens, where they could choose between 2 equally sized areas (6m × 4.5m) with either deep-bedded sand or a rubber surface. On both surfaces, cows could choose between 2 equally sized areas either near or away from heifers in a neighboring group pen. Cows spent more time lying on the deep-bedded sand than on the rubber surface (870 vs. 71min/d), whereas they spent less time upright (standing or walking) on the sand than on the rubber surface (180 vs. 319min/d). In addition, cows spent less time self-grooming on the sand than on the rubber surface (2.2 vs. 4.7% of time spent upright). With regard to level of social contact, cows spent more time near the neighboring heifers than away from them; this was true both while lying (565 vs. 374min/d) and upright (276 vs. 223min/d). Self-grooming was seen significantly more near neighboring heifers than away from them (4.8 vs. 3.3% of time spent upright). When lying, cows more often positioned themselves in areas of the pen where they could maintain visual contact with neighboring heifers. Lame cows with sole ulcers or white line disease preferred deep-bedded sand for lying, and preferred to perform self-grooming while on the rubber surface. Similarly, they preferred to lie and to perform self-grooming while positioned near animals in a neighboring pen. These results suggest that provision of a deep-bedded lying area in hospital pens is important to the welfare of lame cows. We found no evidence of isolation-seeking behavior in animals with these diagnoses (and no systemic symptoms) while they were kept in individual hospital pens.

Associations between social networks, social contacts, and cognitive function among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians

ObjectiveTo explore the associations between social networks, social contacts, and cognitive impairment in the very elderly aged 90–108 years. MethodsData were from subjects of the Project of Longevity and Ageing in Dujiangyan, China. The socio-demographic, social networks, and social contacts data were collected and cognitive function was assessed in all subjects using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results764 Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians (67.41% women, mean age 93.47 years) were included. The mean MMSE score was 14.99±5.93). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 64.53%. The mean social contact score was 4.37±1.86. There were significantly different cognitive function scores among individuals with different marital status, number of close friends, and different social contact levels (all P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that number of close friends and social contact scores were significantly positively but single status was significantly negatively correlated with the MMSE scores (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that there were associations between single status, no close friend, and low level of social contact with cognitive impairment (all P<0.05), but not other social network variables. ConclusionSingle status, no close friend, and low level of social contact were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians. Our finding might add new information for social networks, social contacts, and cognitive research in the elderly.

Association Between Social Network Communities and Health Behavior: An Observational Sociocentric Network Study of Latrine Ownership in Rural India

We identified communities of interconnected people that might serve as normative reference groups for individual-level behavior related to latrine adoption. We applied an algorithmic social network method to determine the network community from respondent-reported social ties of 16 403 individuals in 75 villages in rural Karnataka, India; data were collected from 2006 to 2008. We used multilevel modeling to test the association between latrine ownership and community-level and village-level latrine ownership. We also investigated the degree to which network cohesion affected individual latrine ownership. Three levels of social contacts (direct friends, social network community, and village) significantly predicted individual latrine ownership, but the strongest effect was found at the level of social network communities. In communities with high levels of network cohesion, the likelihood was decreased that any individual would own a latrine; this effect was significant only at lower levels of latrine ownership, suggesting a role for network cohesion in facilitating the nonownership norm. Although many international health and development interventions target village units, these results raise the possibility that the optimal target for public health interventions may not be determined through geography but through social network interactions.

The Role of Physical Context, Verbal Skills, Non-parental Care, Social Support, and Type of Parental Discipline in the Development of ToM Capacity in Five-Year-Old Children

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of family context on the performance of 5-year-old children (N = 70) in theory of mind (ToM) tasks. The children's performances were assessed during individual sessions held at school. Children's verbal skills were assessed using the Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT). Interviews were also conducted with parents in the family home in order to gather sociodemographic data and to assess diverse variables of the family context. In addition to confirming the important role played by children's verbal skills in ToM, the results also supported a potential influence of family context in ToM development through variables, such as quality of non-parental care or level of social contact and support. The educational implications of these results are discussed in relation to family intervention.

Mental Health Stigma about Serious Mental Illness among MSW Students: Social Contact and Attitude

In this study, the attitudes toward and beliefs about serious mental illness (SMI) held by a group of graduate social work students in the northwestern United States were examined. Mental health stigma was examined with relation to the following factors:participants'level of social contact with SMI populations, adherence to stereotypes about SMI populations, belief in the ability to recover from SMI, and the belief that SMI defines an individual's identity. Measures used to identify mental health stigma included the desire for social distance and restrictions with relation to the SMI population. Survey results from 71 graduate social work students found that a significant number of participants who engaged in friendships with SMI-diagnosed individuals had less desire for social distance from and restrictions toward SMI populations. Participants who indicated that they believed in stereotypes of dangerousness and believed that SMI defines an individual's identity were more likely to express desire for both social distance and restrictions. Implications for social work and further research on the matter are discussed.

Social phobia in late‐life: is it worth a diagnosis?

Social phobia in late‐life: is it worth a diagnosis?

Best Practices: Environmental and Therapeutic Issues in Psychiatric Hospital Design: Toward Best Practices

The psychiatric hospital environment plays a significant, though often underappreciated, role in patient and staff functioning. This column reviews the literature on important environmental and therapeutic issues in psychiatric hospital design. Research findings and clinical conjecture reported over the past 50 years indicate that intervening environmentally through clinically informed, patient-centered design can improve functioning both among and between patients and staff. This column identifies specific best practice considerations and recommendations for designing inpatient psychiatric facilities and may serve as a useful planning resource to those interested in adopting a patient-centered, inclusive approach to design and treatment.

The health and social needs of recently widowed older women in Australia

Objective: To identify women's health and social needs immediately following the death of their husband.Method: A cross‐sectional survey of 430 widowed women participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was undertaken.Results: Surveys were returned by 340 women (79%) and 231 of these women had been widowed three years or less. While 82 % of the 231 women still lived in their own homes, 19% had moved house since being widowed for financial or social reasons. There were needs for legal services (44%), and home maintenance (55%). Assistance from medical practitioners included understanding (64%), support (38%) and information (23%). Thirty percent said they had received medication to assist their bereavement, and 30% had taken medication to help them sleep or “for their nerves” within the four weeks prior to survey. Most women (85%) felt they had maintained or increased their level of social contact since becoming widowed.Conclusion: Widowed women have broad needs for practical help and advice. Appropriate services for widowed women need to encompass the social context in which widowed women are attempting to reconstruct their lives.

Social Integration following Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation

The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the issues involved in social integration for those affected by traumatic brain injury, following a period of rehabilitation. Eighteen patients, their significant other* and members of the rehabilitation team involved in their care were interviewed when the patient was discharged from the ward of a neurological rehabilitation hospital, 6 months later and, again, at one year following discharge from the ward. When the data were analysed at the time of the final interview, two respondents reported social isolation. Although many others felt that the level of social contact was that of their choice, several issues were discussed that affected social relationships. These included the impact of impairments, the social response of others and the fact that social networks change naturally over time irrespective of injury or disability. When the data were considered from a sociological perspective, the themes of self-identity, master status and stranger status emerged. This gave a different insight into issues that could be relevant but had not been discussed widely within the head injury literature. Further consideration of the individual in the context of personhood as well as head injury is recommended as a means to develop understanding.

Nirmal Sengupta. A New Institutional Theory of Production: An Application. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2001. Hardbound. Indian Rs 495.00.

Human interactive behaviour is determined by certain norms and accepted codes of conduct at all levels of social contact. These rules of behaviour define the parameters of social institutions such as marriage and family. However, behavioural patterns hold importance not only at personal levels but also in the life of a community or society. Resultantly, we observe the evolution of institutions in all spheres of economic and social significance. Due to their complexity and intricacy, institutions have found the interest of all social scientists, each analysing it under his/her own respective microscope.

Psychosocial work environment and mental health among travelling salespeople

Travelling salespeople have a rather unusual working environment, with long periods of absence from their firm and a low level of social contacts with colleagues. Furthermore, they are exposed to high demands in their work, which may conflict with a normal family life. In this paper a cross-sectional study of psychosocial work environment and mental health of Danish travelling salespeople is described. A sample of 1,306 travelling salespeople filled in a questionnaire (response rate 68%). The results indicate that poor mental health is associated with a number of demand indicators: number of working hours per week, number of customers per week, non-day work, and a high level of perceived job demands. On the other hand, the number of hours spent with customers per week is positively associated with mental health. The authors did not find the expected associations between poor mental health and several factors such as number of hours away from firm, nights away from home, and a low degree of perceived support from colleagues and superiors. It is concluded that the main stressors of travelling salespeople are long working hours, many customers, non-day work and high perceived psychological demands in general.