Levels Of Social Participation Research Articles

The longitudinal relationship between income and social participation among Chinese older people.

The vital role of active social participation in older people’s lives is widely acknowledged. The maintenance of adequate levels of social participation is an essential element of successful aging. Low income may inhibit older people from engaging in social activities. Given its recent rapid economic growth, China provides a unique setting for the study of changes in income and social participation among older people over time. In this study, the longitudinal relationship between income and social participation among Chinese older people was investigated using a nationally representative dataset from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). At baseline, a total of 3863 participants with a mean age of 60.4 years (range: 50-89) were included in our study; 49.9% of the participants were female, and 64.4% lived in rural areas. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the longitudinal relationship between income and social participation, with and without adjustment for background variables (age, gender, marital status, educational level, empty-nest status, area of residence, and multimorbidity). The results of unadjusted and adjusted analyses clearly showed a longitudinal association between income and social participation. People from the highest income group were almost two times more likely to participate in social activities than were those from the lowest income group. People with a higher educational level are also more likely to participate in social activities compared to people with a lower educational level. Being married and living with children decreased the odds of social participation. Social participation is also less likely among older aged and those living in rural areas. Our findings indicate that higher income levels are associated positively with social participation over time among older people in China.

Community Participation and Empowerment in a Post-disaster Environment: Differences Tied to Age and Personal Networks of Social Support.

In this article, an attempt was made to identify the level of community social participation according to age, gender, and the structural characteristics of the personal support networks in a population displaced by floods in the Colombian Caribbean. The research was based on a non-experimental methodology with an associative-relational strategy. An intentional non-probabilistic sample of 151 people affected by the winter wave in the south of the Department of Atlántico (Colombia) was selected. In total, the study included 42 males (27.8%) and 109 females (72.2%) participants, with an average age of 37.48 (±14, ranging from 18 to 80) and average relocation time of 21.79 months (±8.22, ranging from 5 to 36). The Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (ASSIS) and Community Empowerment instruments were responded to with an instrument adapted from the leadership competence factor. The results show lower rates of intermediation in the older population, and the relationship between social participation and gender shows equally cohesive social support networks in men and women. This evidence is discussed to promote psychosocial interventions aimed to increase community engagement and empowerment of people that have experienced non-voluntary mobility processes.

Features of inclusion of people with disabilities in regional conditions

Social inclusion implies equality of opportunity and equal participation of individuals in society. The key to social inclusion for people with disabilities is the creation of a barrier-free environment. This process has been carried out systematically in Russia and abroad in recent decades. The results of a qualitative study conducted by the author in 2019 in the territory of the Murmansk region among people with disabilities showed that the nature of the disease and their individual and personal characteristics, the state of urban planning and mental environments, employment and material situation, the presence of family and loved ones and many other factors play an important role in the independent life of persons with disabilities.. The main ways of achieving inclusion of persons with disabilities are related to the solution of various difficulties at the level of the State and its social institutions - the implementation of measures to increase the accessibility of infrastructure, public spaces and transport, the provision of technical means of rehabilitation, the improvement of the accessibility and quality of medical care, the improvement of the material situation of persons with disabilities, employment and education. The study showed that the state of health of persons with disabilities directly affects the level of their social activity, but not the opportunity to participate in the life of society. The level of social participation of persons with disabilities today depends not so much on the level of accessibility of social infrastructure as on their desire to participate in society and the availability of adequate assistance and support. In this regard, it is important to work to ensure the satisfactory psychoemotional condition of persons with disabilities, their families and loved ones, as well as institutions of social assistance and support.

Interpreting Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation Profile Scores for Use by Clinicians, Burn Survivors, and Researchers.

The Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Profile is a patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess social participation in adult burn survivors. This study identified numeric score cut-points that define different levels of social participation ability and described each level. An expert panel identified numeric score cut-points that distinguish different levels of social participation for the six LIBRE Profile domains. Methods employed an iterative, modified-Delphi approach, and bookmarking to review calibrated item banks. Analyses (using calibration sample data and repeated in a validation sample) examined means, SDs, and sample distributions for each level. Analyses of variance examined score differences between levels. The panel developed descriptions for each established level. Initial cut-points resulted in four levels for five domains (Social Activities, Social Interactions, Romantic Relationships, Sexual Relationships, and Work & Employment) and five levels for the sixth domain (Relationships with Family & Friends). Comparisons demonstrated significant differences between level mean scores for all domains (P < .05) except Relationships with Family & Friends. Based on follow-up surveys, Relationships with Family & Friends score cut-points were adjusted to identify four levels with significant score differences between all levels. Panelists reached consensus for level descriptions. Score cut-points and descriptions identify different levels of social participation, providing a relevant context for interpreting LIBRE Profile numeric scores. LIBRE Profile Social Participation levels will help clinicians and persons with burn injury interpret LIBRE Profile numeric scores and promote use of this important new assessment.

Determinants of General Satisfaction With the Employment Situation Among People With Multiple Sclerosis

BackgroundSocial and environmental participation endeavors are theorized to shape one's general satisfaction with the overall employment situation facing people with MS.ObjectiveResponding to a national survey of the employment concerns of Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS), this study examined the extent to which factors at the demographic, disease-related, and social and environmental participation levels contribute to the predictability power for general satisfaction with the employment situation for people with MS.MethodParticipants in this study consisted of 1,149 members of nine National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) chapters representing 21 states and Washington, DC. In a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, participants were mostly older (average age of 50 years) White (74%) individuals, nearly half of whom were unemployed (47%) but well educated (98% were high school graduates, 45% were college graduates).FindingsFindings underscore the complexity involved in predicting how satisfied people with MS are with their overall employment situation.ConclusionsYounger, less educated individuals with higher levels of perceived quality of life who were employed full-time and experiencing no or lower levels of cognitive impairment were more likely than other participants to be satisfied with 17 high-priority employment concerns.

Associations Between Community Social Capital and Preservation of Functional Capacity in the Aftermath of a Major Disaster.

The strength of social connections in the community ("social capital") is hypothesized to be a crucial ingredient in disaster resilience. We examined whether community-level social capital is correlated with the ability to maintain functional capacity among older residents who experienced the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The baseline of our cohort (mean age, 74 years) was established in 2010, 7 months before the disaster in Iwanuma, a Japanese city located 80 km from the epicenter. Disaster-related personal experiences (e.g., housing damage or relocation) were assessed through a follow-up survey (n=3,594; follow-up rate, 82.1%) conducted in 2013, 2.5 years after the earthquake. Multiple membership multilevel models were used to evaluate the associations between functional capacity, measured by the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, and 3 subscales of community-level social capital: social cohesion, social participation, and reciprocity. Community-level social participation was associated with a lower risk of functional decline after disaster exposure. The average level of social participation in the community also mitigated the adverse impact of housing damage on functional status, suggesting a buffering mechanism.

Out-of-Home Mobility and Social Participation of Older People: a Photo-Based Ambulatory Assessment Study

Research has shown that social participation contributes to older people’s healthy ageing. Out-of-home mobility may promote higher levels of social participation among older people. However, mobility and social participation are sophisticated constructs. Social participation can be distinguished among different levels, such as being alone, being alone surrounded by others, interacting with others or engaging in activities together. Social participation and time spent in out-of-home-mobility can be difficult to remember and therefore difficult to assess. Picture-based ambulatory assessment provides valid and reliable information about people’s mobility as well as their level of participation with high ecological validity. The aim of the study was to investigate older people’s level of social participation and its association with high or low out-of-home mobility. In sum, 23072 pictures (mean per person = 2307; SD = 686.7) involving ten older people (mean age = 75.4 years; SD = 7.5 years) living in southwestern Germany were analysed. They were asked to wear a wearable camera for two consecutive days. Images were automatically captured every 15 seconds. Image analysis shows that study participants spent most of their time alone (at approximately 35% of analysed time). Out-of-home mobility was associated with higher levels of social participation, such as helping others (chi2 = 200,664, df = 5, p < .001). Picture-based ambulatory assessment can assist in the gathering of necessary sophisticated information that is difficult to assess via questionnaires or other similar methods.

Pemberdayaan Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Membangun Nilai-Nilai Religius di Desa Wringin Kecamatan Wringin Kabupaten Bondowoso

Wringin in Bondowoso District is a rural area in which the most of inhabitants are religious, but there are lots of them having deviant behaviors, such as gambling, illegal lottery, and mony laundry. It seems more difficult since he level of social participation in religious teaching is relatively low. Furthermore, the social empowerment is important in terms of religious teaching regularly undertaken in Mosque of Baitus Mukhlisin Islamic Boardingschool. This program is possibly to increase their religious understanding of daily life aspects, such as social moral values, classification of obligatory and meritorious worships, correct praying procedures, right and duty between married couple, religious parenting, etc.Keywords: Wringin Village, Social Participation, Religious Values

Study of Socioeconomic Profile of Paddy Farmers Adopting Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) Technology in Odisha, India

The study was conducted in Puri District of Odisha, India along with the introduction of a new technology Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in Rabi 2015. AWD was a very low cost water saving technology and farmers were made aware about it in the selected study area in nine villages, three in each three blocks of Puri district. The selected 144 farmers, 16 from each village who had adopted AWD were interviewed through a pretested interview schedule. 15 variables were taken to assess the socioeconomic profile of the farmers. The variables were quantified in terms of frequency and percentage. Respondents were categorized with respect to variables like social participation, cosmopoliteness, mass media exposure, extension participation, extension contact, progressiveness and scientific orientation on the basis of mean score and Standard Deviation The study revealed that majority (57.63%) of respondents belonged to middle aged category, maximum of 44 respondents (30.5%) having primary level education, majority (68%) of the respondents were marginal farmers, majority (78%) of respondents had high level of social participation, there was homogeneity among extension participation, average annual income, extension contact, mass media exposure, social participation and heterogeneity among all other variables.

Relationship between Individual Social Capital and Functional Ability among Older People in Anhui Province, China.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between individual social capital and functional ability, with a focus on whether there is an interactive relationship that exists among social capital related to functional ability among older people in Anhui province, China. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method from July to September 2017. Data were collected through questionnaire including demographic characteristics, individual social capital status, and functional capability status. Binary logistic regression analysis model and classification and regression tree model (CART) were utilized. Overall, this study included 1810 elderly people, 43% of whom had functional disability. After the adjustment, subjects with lower social participation (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.26–2.03) and lower social connection (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.34–2.25) had an increased risk of functional disability. However, social support (AOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.57–0.94) was inversely related to functional ability. We also observed interactive relationship of social capital associated with functional ability, which indicated that special attention and efforts should be paid to older adults with less educational attainment, with multimorbidity, with advanced age, and with lower level of social participation, cohesion for the purpose of maintaining sound functional ability. Our findings may be of salient relevance for devising more targeted and effective interventions to prevent the onset of functional limitations among community-dwelling older adults.

Postdisaster Changes in Social Capital and Mental Health: A Natural Experiment From the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

Levels of social capital can change after a natural disaster; thus far, no study has examined how changes in social capital affect the mental health of disaster victims. In this study, we examined how predisaster social capital and its changes after a disaster were associated with the onset of mental disorders. In October 2013, we mailed a questionnaire to participants in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study living in Mifune, a town in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, and measured predisaster social capital. In April 2016, the Kumamoto earthquake struck the region. Three years after the baseline survey, postdisaster social capital and symptoms of mental disorders were measured using the Screening Questionnaire for Disaster Mental Health (n = 828). Multiple Poisson regression indicated that a 1-standard-deviation change in predisaster social cohesion at the community level reduced the risk of depression among women (relative risk = 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.24, 0.78); a decline in social capital after the disaster elevated the risk (relative risk = 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 4.47). In contrast to social cohesion, high levels of social participation at the community level were positively associated with the risk of depression among women. Policy-makers should pay attention to sex differences and types of social capital when leveraging social capital for recovery from disasters.

Applying the Concept of Successful Aging to Thailand

Objectives: This research aims to examine the components of Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging as applied to the Thai population who are categorized as: young-old (60-69), old-old (70-79), and oldest-old (80 and over). Method: The study is based on the Survey of Older Persons in Thailand of the National Statistical Office, 2011 (n = 24,433). Confirmatory Factor Analysis is used to test whether Rowe and Kahn’s model, which comprises three domains - avoiding disease and disability, maintaining physical and cognitive functioning, and continuing engagement with life, is confirmed by these data. Multiple group analysis is performed to determine factor loading differences among age groups. Results: Rowe and Kahn’s model has a good statistical fit when applied to data of the current study. Factor loadings for three age groups is statistically different (p&lt;0.001). Of the three domains, continuing engagement with life is the domain most strongly associated with successful aging, particularly among the old-old and the oldest-old. Implications: Programs to support health and social engagement should be promoted and enhancing active engagement should be a priority since older Thai people have low levels of social participation.

Seniorzy w cyberprzestrzeni. Między stereotypem a rzeczywistością

Błeszyńska Krystyna M., Orłowska Małgorzata, Seniorzy w cyberprzestrzeni. Między stereotypem a rzeczywistością [Seniors in Cyberspace. Between Stereotype and Reality]. Studia Edukacyjne nr 56, 2020, Poznań 2020, pp. 153-166. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 1233-6688. DOI: 10.14746/se.2020.56.8Today, stereotypically seniors are assigned many negative traits. One of them is their lack of digital competences, which in consequence leads to their exclusion from modern social life. Given that modern Western societies are rapidly aging, this problem is becoming a social issue that needs to be addressed. A significant part of society must not be allowed to live as outcasts. In this situation, a question arises whether contemporary seniors are definitively excluded, or is age not an apparent premise in their case, and the problem lies elsewhere? The analysis of the collected empirical material revealed that the variable determining the level and type of social participation in virtual society is not age, but the level of education. Therefore, contrary to the prevailing views, seniors are not at risk of information exclusion and it is difficult to consider them as digital immigrants. Contrary to stereotypes, seniors are more distant, selective and pragmatic; independence allows them not to imitate culture and lifestyles, but to create them in contrast to the generation of their grandchildren.

The healthy aging phenotype in older people in Manizales

ResumenIntroducción. El fenotipo de envejecimiento saludable está presente en aquellos individuos que envejecen con poca morbilidad, sin deterioro funcional ni cognitivo, y con un nivel aceptable de bienestar y de participación social.Objetivo. Establecer la frecuencia del fenotipo de envejecimiento saludable según un modelo multidimensional, uno biomédico y uno psicosocial, y determinar los factores de predicción en cada uno de ellos.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de diseño transversal, observacional y descriptivo, que incluyó a 402 personas (50,1 % mujeres) de 65 años y más (promedio de edad, 69,2) en el área urbana de Manizales. El fenotipo de envejecimiento saludable se caracterizó en cinco dimensiones: salud metabólica y fisiológica, función física, función cognitiva, bienestar psicológico y bienestar social. Los factores asociados incluyeron aspectos sociodemográficos y de salud.Resultados. La prevalencia de envejecimiento saludable fue de 15,5 % en el modelo multidimensional, de 12,3 % en el biomédico y de 63,3 % en el psicosocial. El tener autopercepción de buena salud fue un factor de predicción independiente de envejecimiento saludable en los tres modelos, así como la satisfacción con los ingresos económicos en el modelo biomédico y en el psicosocial. Un tercer factor de predicción fue el estar casado, aunque fue significativo solamente en el modelo psicosocial. Conclusiones. La prevalencia del fenotipo de envejecimiento saludable fue baja en el modelo biológico y en el multidimensional (1 de cada 10 personas), y mayor en el modelo psicosocial (6 de cada 10). A pesar de ello, los factores predictores independientes fueron los mismos: la autopercepción de buena o muy buena salud, la satisfacción con los ingresos económicos y el estar casado.

Participation in social group and wellbeing status of rural women in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined participation in social group and wellbeing status of rural women in Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 170 rural women who are members of selected social groups. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. More than half (54.1%) of the respondents had low level of social group participation. Benefits derived from social group participation were social control ( x̄ = 1.65), access to credits and loans ( x̄ =1.35), security of goods ( x̄ =1.62) and invitation to social functions ( x̄ =1.72). Time ( x̄ =0.64), distance of the meeting venue ( x̄ =0.45) and financial constraint ( x̄ =0.39) were some of the factors that affect social group participation among the women. There was no significant relationship between participation (r = 0.126) in social group and wellbeing status of rural women. Based on these findings, this study has implications for the assessment of social groups in rural communities as they serve as strong platform for dissemination of social and agricultural information. This study therefore recommends that social groups should be well organised by engaging in activities that will improve the quality of life of rural women in all spheres, this will increase their involvement in group activities, improve their wellbeing and ensure rural development.Keywords: Participation, social groups, social security, time, wellbeing

“Family-bound” or “Pulled by Work”?—A Study of Chinese Women’s Social Participation and the Factors Influencing It

On the basis of an analysis of data from the Chinese Social Survey (CSS) 2015, and with male social participation as the reference, we undertook an empirical study of Chinese women’s current social participation and the factors affecting it along the two dimensions of “marriage and family life” and “employment and income status,” as well as the basic characteristics of individuals. Our findings show that in general women display a lower level of social participation than men. In terms of type of social participation, women are more likely to take part in policy-supported activities or serve as volunteers for public interest activities but less likely to participate in the activities of particular “action organizations” or the expression of opinion. Women’s social participation is affected by many factors, including basic individual characteristics, marital status and family life, and employment and income status. A further gender comparison finds that female social participation tends to be more affected by marriage and family life, whereas male social participation is more closely related to employment and income status. We conclude that although more Chinese women have stepped out of the bonds of “home and family,” their social participation “outside the family” is family-bound in a way that is quite different that of men. Hence if we are to pursue gender equality at the level of social participation, it remains necessary to give women greater assurances in terms of marriage and family life by encouraging the realization of their self-worth and facilitating their social development, so as to coordinate and alleviate the double pressures of family and work, thus making women’s social participation an important force and enhancing their all-round development.

The impact of social participation on the efficiency of communal investment expenditure

The main objective of the article is to determine, on the example of the communes of the Małopolska Province, the factors that affect the efficiency of communal investment expenditures, with particular emphasis on social participation. In order to achieve this aim, appropriate two-stage empirical studies were designed. In the first stage, the efficiency of communal investment expenditure was determined using the DEA and order-m methods for all studied local government units. In turn, the second stage of the empirical study was based on an econometric analysis, which indicated that the examined efficiency is influenced by the following factors: location of the commune in the Cracow metropolitan area, level of communal investment expenditure per capita, intensity of use of external sources of financing communal investment, and level of social participation in the commune.

To ascertain the knowledge level of farm input dealers about the use of farm input they deal and to determine the training needs and decide the areas of training

The present study on Training Needs of Farm Input Dealers About Farm Input was conducted in Akola and Wardha districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state. For this study 70 dealers were purposively selected from ten tahsils from both districts with the help of proportionate sampling method. The data were collected with the help of structured interview schedule. Personal interview technique was used for data collection. The results revealed that majority (48.58%) respondents were observed in ‘middle’ age category that is up to 42.52 years having 71.42 per cent respondents were found in ‘medium’ category of experience in dealership. About 64.28 per cent of respondents educated up to 'graduate' level of education and most of them had ‘medium’ land holding (27.14%). Majority of 81.42 per cent respondents had annual income found in the range of Rs. Up to Rs. 3,47,000 to 7,34,000/-. Maximum number of the respondents having ‘medium’ level of source of information (67.14%), followed by 61.42 per cent of respondents had ‘medium’ level of extension contact and social participation (60.00). Majority (70.00%) of the respondents have ‘medium’ level of cosmopoliteness and innovativeness (54.28%). All 100.00 per cent farm input dealers did ‘not received’ training on various aspect related to fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, pesticides and implements. Majority (68.00%) of the farm input dealers had ‘medium’ level of knowledge related to use of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. In respect of training needs, farm input dealers had expressed ‘high’ training needs on seed technology, different insecticides and pesticides its contents, concentration to be used storage and keeping quality of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers, etc. (97.14%), followed by advanced technical information of new agricultural inputs (94.28%), training about credit/financial management and government policies, rules regulations and taxes related agriculture having 98.57 per cent. ‘(90.00%) competition with other input dealers followed by transportation (82.85%), non availability of clients and inadequate credit facilities (72.85%), non availability of labors (71.42%), lack of knowledge about mode of chemicals (67.14%), non availability of selling organizations (60.00%), and sometime prices of agricultural input goes high (54.28%)’, were the major constraints faced by them. Results of relational analysis revealed that variables such as land holding, annual income, source of information, extension contact, cosmopoliteness and innovativeness were found positively and significantly correlated with training needs of farm input dealers. In case of other variables like age, social participation and knowledge had shown negative non-significant relationship with training needs of farm input dealers.

The personal and socio-economic characteristics of the farm input dealers

The present study on Training Needs of Farm Input Dealers About Farm Input was conducted in Akola and Wardha districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state. For this study 70 dealers were purposively selected from ten tahsils from both districts with the help of proportionate sampling method. The data were collected with the help of structured interview schedule. Personal interview technique was used for data collection. The results revealed that majority (48.58%) respondents were observed in ‘middle’ age category that is up to 42.52 years having 71.42 per cent respondents were found in ‘medium’ category of experience in dealership. About 64.28 per cent of respondents educated up to 'graduate' level of education and most of them had ‘medium’ land holding (27.14%). Majority of 81.42 per cent respondents had annual income found in the range of Rs. Up to Rs. 3,47,000 to 7,34,000/-. Maximum number of the respondents having ‘medium’ level of source of information (67.14%), followed by 61.42 per cent of respondents had ‘medium’ level of extension contact and social participation (60.00). Majority (70.00%) of the respondents have ‘medium’ level of cosmopoliteness and innovativeness (54.28%). All 100.00 per cent farm input dealers did ‘not received’ training on various aspect related to fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, pesticides and implements. Majority (68.00%) of the farm input dealers had ‘medium’ level of knowledge related to use of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.Results of relational analysis revealed that variables such as land holding, annual income, source of information, extension contact, cosmopoliteness and innovativeness were found positively and significantly correlated with training needs of farm input dealers. In case of other variables like age, social participation and knowledge had shown negative non-significant relationship with training needs of farm input dealers.

Social participation of oncology patients over 60 years of age

Introduction. Social participation is a critically important aspect of life in older adults. Also, it is one of the major subjects of research in the field of aging. Old age and its implications can have both positive and negative effects on social participation in the elderly population. Older oncology patients also face additional challenges in achieving active aging and full social participation. The goal of this study was to establish the prevalence and variety of social participation of oncology patients over the age of 60, as well as to determine any possible correlation between specific demographic characteristics and social participation. Material and Methods. The study included 100 persons aged 60 to 92 treated for malignant diseases. The Maastricht social participation profile and a demographic questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study were used as research instruments. Data analysis included the t-test for independent samples, correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, and one way analysis of variance. Results. Persons over the age of sixty have a low level of social participation, particularly in the domains of contacts with friends and family. A statistically significant difference was found in social participation in regard to different demographic characteristics: type of residence (t = 6.765, p &lt; .01) and disability (t = 5.663, p &lt; .01), and age (R = 0.478, p &lt; .01). There were no statistically significant differences in regard to gender, education and presence/ absence of chronic disease. Conclusion. Oncology patients over the age of 60 have a very low social participation. Considering its importance for health and quality of life in the elderly, it is crucial to develop a support system for these persons and to recognize the significance of including social support in the care of this population.