Management Of Loneliness Research Articles

Overview of the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents: A meta-analysis

BackgroundGlobally, loneliness is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental and physical health among older adults. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents. MethodsWeb of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and references lists were comprehensively searched until April 2024. Data analysis was performed using Logit Transformation model in R-Software for pooled prevalence and DerSimonian-Lard random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis for associated factors of loneliness. Heterogeneity was quantified by I2 and τ2 statistics. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test assessed publication bias. ResultsA total of 70 studies with 462,083 older adults were included. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 26 % (95 %CI, 23 %–30 %) with 38 % for North America, 34 % for Africa, 32 % for Asia and South America, 23 % for Europe, and 13 % for Oceania. Cognitive impairment (2.98; 95 %CI, 1.30–6.81), poor health (2.35; 95 %CI, 1.59–3.45), female (1.92; 95 %CI, 1.53–2.41), depression (1.74; 95 %CI, 1.40–2.16), widowed (1.67; 95 %CI, 1.13–2.48), single (1.51; 95 %CI, 1.06–2.17), institutionalization (2.95; 95 %CI, 1.48–5.88), rural residency (1.18; 95 %CI, 1.04–1.34) were associated with increased risk of loneliness. Being married (0.51; 95 %CI, 0.31–0.82), male (0.55; 95 %CI, 0.43–0.70), and non-institutionalization (0.34; 95 %CI, 0.17–0.68) were associated with lower risk of loneliness. ConclusionApproximately, three among ten older adults aged ≥ 60 years are lonely worldwide. Early detection, prevention, and management of loneliness among older adults should consider diverse needs using gender-specific approaches.

The effects of loneliness and social isolation on cognitive impairment-free life expectancy in older adults

Objectives This article aimed to examine the effects of social connection comprising loneliness and social isolation on cognitive impairment-free life expectancy (CIFLE). Methods Data on 28,563 older adults (aged 65+) were drawn from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with a median follow-up of 4.00 years. Multistate Markov models were used to estimate the independent and joint effects of social connection with CIFLE. Cognitive impairment was measured by the modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Results For men and women, respectively, reduced CIFLEs at age 65 associated with loneliness were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.41–1.48) and 1.35 (95%: CI 0.77–1.90) years, and those associated with social isolation were 2.23 (95% CI: 1.67–2.78) and 2.49 (95% CI: 1.67–3.30) years. Compared with those with neither loneliness nor social isolation (‘neither’ group), older adults at age 65 with both loneliness and social isolation (‘both group’) lost CIFLEs of 2.68 (95% CI: 1.89–3.48) and 3.51 (95% CI, 2.55–4.47) years for men and women, respectively. Similar patterns were observed in the oldest-old adults (age 85 or over). A growth trend transpired in the difference of the proportion of the remaining CIFLE between ‘neither’ group and ‘both’ group with age. Conclusion Loneliness and social isolation are associated with decreased CIFLE in older Chinese adults. Policy makers and the public must be informed that early identification and management of loneliness and social isolation, especially when coexisting, are crucial.

Self-Management and Management of Loneliness

The article analyzes two aspects of the current issue of loneliness of modern people. On the one hand, it is about the means of self-regulation by the lonely man himself. On the other hand, the problems related to the activities of non-lonely people and different types of institutions are analyzed in relation to solving the problems of lonely people. The first part of the article discusses the ways in which lonely people try to cope with their loneliness. In the second part, I look at some of the ways in which other people and the institutions react to this phenomenon. In the process of analysis I used interviews with lonely people, statistics, as well as analysis of scientific and other literature.

Loneliness and health expectancy among older adults: A longitudinal population-based study.

The population health impact of loneliness remains unknown. We quantified the impact of loneliness on total life expectancy (TLE) and health expectancy (the duration of remaining life lived in different health states) among older adults, aged ≥60 years. Multistate life table analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal survey. Singapore. Survey participants (n=3449) interviewed in 2009, 2011-12, and 2015. Health states were defined using self-rated health (SRH) status and activity of daily living (ADL)/instrumental ADL (IADL) status. Participants with somewhat or very unhealthy SRH were considered as unhealthy. Those reporting health-related difficulty with any ADL/IADL were considered to have limitation in ADLs/IADLs. TLE and health expectancy (healthy and unhealthy life expectancy (HLE and UHLE) in the context of SRH, and active and inactive life expectancy (ALE and IALE) in the context of ADLs/IADLs) were estimated using the multistate life table method with a microsimulation approach, considering loneliness as time varying. At age 60, 70, and 80, those sometimes lonely or mostly lonely generally had shorter TLE, HLE and ALE, similar UHLE and IALE, and a higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH or with ADL/IADL limitations versus those never lonely. For example, at the age of 60, those sometimes lonely versus never lonely had shorter TLE (by 5.4 [95% Confidence Interval: 3.4-7.9] years), shorter HLE (by 5.9 [4.1-8.6] years), similar UHLE (difference: 0.6 [-0.7-1.7] years), and higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH (by 6.2 [1.2-10.8] percentage points). For those mostly lonely versus never lonely, TLE was shorter by 3.6 (0.7-6.6) years, HLE was shorter by 4.8 (2.3-8.2) years, UHLE was similar (difference: 1.2 [-0.1-4.0] years), and proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH was higher by 7.2 (2.1-18.1) percentage points. Identification and management of loneliness may increase years of life with healthy SRH and without limitation in ADLs/IADLs among older adults.

Believing in Bits: Digital Media and the Supernatural

Believing in Bits: Digital Media and the Supernatural

Transitions in loneliness in later life: the role of social comparisons and coping strategies

AbstractThis study explored the coping strategies and social comparisons used by older adults on different loneliness trajectories (decreased loneliness, stable loneliness and degenerating loneliness). The adaptive consequences of social comparison in later life are recognised as an important strategy for preserving life satisfaction regardless of age-related losses. Coping strategies are also important in managing loneliness. Narrative interviews were conducted with lonely older adults (N = 11) who had participated in Wave One of the Maintaining Function and Well-being in Later Life Study Wales (CFAS Wales). The study found key differences in the coping strategies employed by older adults on different loneliness trajectories. Differences in coping styles between those who reported decreased loneliness and those who were chronically lonely stemmed from perceptions as to whether loneliness was modifiable or not. Different types of social comparison were also found to modulate the loneliness experience. The findings indicate that higher-order strategies (problem, emotional and meaning focused) are not distinct entities but are part of a dynamic process. The management of loneliness in later life may be dependent on several factors, including older adults’ interpretations of the cause of loneliness. These interpretations will have implications for interventions aimed at alleviating chronic loneliness, where the focus may have to be on changing older adult's perceptions of unmodifiable loneliness.

Associations between smartphone addiction scale and sociopsychological aspects in medical school students

Background: Smartphone addiction, academic stress and anxiety of university students are increasing gradually; however, few studies have investigated these factors in medical school students. Therefore, this study investigated associations between smartphone addiction scale and sociopsychological aspects in medical school students. Methods: A total of 231 Yeungnam University College of Medicine students were enrolled in this study in March 2017. Gender, school grade, type of residence, and smartphone usage patterns of the students were surveyed. The Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale and each Korean version scale were used to assess sociopsychological aspects such as loneliness, stress and anxiety. Results: There was a direct statistical correlation between loneliness, stress of negative perception, anxiety and smartphone addiction scales. There was also a negative statistical correlation between stress of positive perception and smartphone addiction scales. There was a higher level of anxiety among female students than male students. Additionally, there was a higher level of stress associated with negative perception and anxiety among medical students in the first grade than other students. Moreover there was a higher level of loneliness, stress of negative perception and anxiety among students who live with friends than students who live with their own family. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction scale and sociopsychological aspects significantly correlated. Moreover, the results suggest that female medical students in the first grade who have been separated from their family need more attention and management of loneliness, stress and anxiety to avoid smartphone addiction.

The role of the intermediate care team in detecting and responding to loneliness in older clients.

The intermediate care team supports patients in their own homes to manage complex needs. They are ideally placed in the community to identify older adults at risk of loneliness. However, little is known about how intermediate care team professionals perceive, detect or respond to loneliness in their clients. This study explores intermediate care team professionals' attitudes to loneliness in the context of perceived service priorities and their experiences of managing loneliness in their clients. Eight professionals (n=2 physiotherapists, n=3 occupational therapists, n=3 nurses) took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis, applying the theory of planned behaviour as an interpretive framework. Intermediate care team professionals see loneliness as a significant issue for many of their older clients but a low priority for intermediate care team services. They believe that loneliness often goes undetected because it is difficult to measure objectively. Barriers to managing loneliness included high workloads, unsatisfactory referral systems and lack of close working with social care and independent sector services. Brief but reliable loneliness assessments into routine practice, receiving training on detecting and managing loneliness, and improving working relationships with social care and independent sector services were highlighted as strategies that could improve the detection and management of loneliness in intermediate care team clients.