Social Participation Of People Research Articles

Experiences of loneliness and social isolation among young people with chronic physical conditions: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

Young people with chronic health conditions are among the most at risk of having poor social connections, however, little is known about their experiences of loneliness and social isolation. We aimed to describe the perspectives and experiences of loneliness and social isolation among young people with chronic physical conditions. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and CENTRAL from inception to May 2023 for qualitative studies that described the perspectives of loneliness and social isolation in young people aged 10-24 years with chronic physical conditions. Findings from the included studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis. We included 35 studies across 12 countries involving 723 participants (56% female). Most studies (63%) were conducted in young people with cancer. Four major themes were identified: suffering from repercussions of disease (struggling with body image and physical changes, intensified disconnection while hospitalized); hindering relationships with peers and friends (missing out on formative experiences, feeling stuck behind, restrictive parental attitudes); grappling with social exclusion (facing concerns alone, bullying and ostracism); seeking social support and self-help (reliance on family, kindness and empathy from friends, developing rapport with healthcare professionals, discovering self in adversity). Symptoms, treatments, and hospitalizations limited young people's social participation and ability to maintain friendships, and this was compounded by social exclusion and bullying. Supportive friends, family, and healthcare professionals helped mitigate feelings of isolation. Interventions and strategies are needed to improve social support and foster meaningful connections. This can be achieved through education and awareness initiatives that promote inclusion in schools and the community, as well as efforts to enhance social support and continuity of care in hospitals.

Role of Meaningful Social Participation and Technology Use in Mitigating Loneliness and Cognitive Decline Among Older Adults.

Community social participation aids dementia prevention and alleviates loneliness among older adults. Incorporating occupational therapy using information and communications technology (ICT) could potentially delay dementia onset and reduce loneliness. To quantify how meaningful social participation, participation frequency, ICT use, and expanded social networks influence cognitive function and loneliness among socially active older Japanese adults. Cross-sectional exploratory study using structural equation modeling. Meetings organized by older adults at seven community gathering places in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. One hundred thirteen healthy older adult cohort members. Cognitive function assessed via Mini-Cog; loneliness assessed via the condensed UCLA Loneliness Scale. The final model demonstrated excellent fit, χ2(23) = 28.291, p = .205 (root mean square error of approximation = .045, 90% confidence interval [.000, .094]; confirmatory factor index = .995; Tucker-Lewis Index = .993). ICT use directly affected social networks (β = 0.472), which directly influenced participation frequency (β = 0.324) and meaningful social participation (β = 0.381). The indirect effect of meaningful participation significantly improved cognitive function (β = 0.237). The only indirect effect of meaningful interpersonal participation was a reduction in loneliness (β = -0.235). ICT use contributes to the expansion of social networks among elderly people. Furthermore, the frequency of social participation and the meaningfulness of such participation are related to reduction in loneliness and maintenance of cognitive function. Although the frequency of social participation was not directly related to these outcomes, the results suggest that meaningful social participation may play an important role in reducing loneliness and maintaining cognitive function. Plain-Language Summary: The promotion of social participation among older people is a global phenomenon, driven by the recognition of its positive relationship with cognitive function and the alleviation of loneliness. Nevertheless, older people's social participation is constrained by a combination of physical and social factors. To address this issue, there has been a push to promote social participation based on information and communications technology (ICT). However, no specific study has been conducted on occupational therapists' perspective in capturing social participation and the use of ICT. The findings of this study show that using ICT has the potential to enhance opportunities for social interaction for older adults, thereby improving the quality and quantity of social participation. The quality of social participation was identified as the sole factor that had a positive impact on cognitive function and loneliness. This study suggests the need for occupational therapists to consider means of facilitating the use of ICTs among older adults as well as interventions that use occupational therapy theory to enhance the meaningfulness of existing social participation opportunities.

96P The impact of losing the ability to sit to stand on social participation in people with dysferlinopathy: clinical outcome study for dysferlinopathy

96P The impact of losing the ability to sit to stand on social participation in people with dysferlinopathy: clinical outcome study for dysferlinopathy

The transformation of 20-year social participation policies of older people in China: Network analysis and text analysis.

Social participation of older adults is a crucial component of China's aged care services and an important strategy for actively addressing the aging population. Analyzing policy texts on older people's social participation can inform future policy formulation and the development of relevant programs. This study aims to quantitatively analyze the transformation of China's social participation policies for older people from 1999 to 2023, employing institutional network analysis and policy text analysis. A two-dimensional policy analysis framework was constructed based on the perspective of "policy tools and social participation stages." Using Rost Content Mining 6.0 and Nvivo 11.0 Plus software, 55 national-level policy texts were coded. Structural analysis of policy-issuing subjects and topic words was conducted to visualize the findings. The analysis revealed that the policy-issuing subjects demonstrated strong authority but weak coordination, with a lack of communication and cooperation across subjects. The use of policy tools was imbalanced, with an over-reliance on supply-type tools and insufficient use of demand-type tools. Additionally, the lack of effective policy tools to support various social participation stages has limited policy implementation. With technological advancement and changing needs of the elderly population, there is a need for a more systematic and forward-looking top-level design of elderly social participation policies: accelerating the systematization and precision of technological elements in policies for elderly social participation, integrating social organizations via technological platforms to mobilize diverse stakeholder engagement, and addressing the digital divide between the elderly and new technologies is imperative.

Characteristics of Informal Caregivers and Social Participation of People With Dementia.

Social participation is associated with increased quality of life and well-being but declines following the onset of dementia. Informal caregivers may facilitate social participation among people with dementia. This study aims to identify characteristics of informal caregivers associated with social participation of people with dementia in valued activities. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2011, 2015, and 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving. NHATS respondents with possible or probable dementia and an informalcaregiver were included (N = 1,060). Respondents were asked whether they participated in each of 5 social activities during the past month. Valued activities were considered somewhat or very important. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were computed to identify characteristics of primary informal caregivers associated with participation of people with dementia in social activities. Social participation of people with dementia was not independently associated with sociodemographic variables or relationship to the primary caregiver (spouse/partner, adult child, or other relative/nonrelative). Social participation of primary caregivers was associated with increased participation of people with dementia in the same activity for visiting friends/family (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, p = .016), attending religious services (OR = 4.82, p < .001), and volunteering (OR = 3.25, p = .015), whereas greater caregiver external support was associated with increased participation of people with dementia in organized activities (OR = 1.37, p = .022). Assets of informal primary caregivers found to promote social participation of people with dementia include traveling to the person with dementia's home, being socially active themselves, and utilizing support services.

Impaired Memory and Executive Function are Associated with Reduced Social Participation in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 Memory and executive function predict social participation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is important to tailor cognitive rehabilitation strategies based on cognitive function to promote social participation in PD. Primary Author and Speaker: Moon Young Kim Contributing Authors: Erin R. Foster

Barriers and facilitators to social participation in people with mental health and substance use disorders: a formative qualitative study

PurposeThis study aims to explore how people with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders and lived experience of deep social marginalization perceived barriers and facilitators to mainstream social participation. The purpose of this study is to identify meaningful and relevant learning content for a virtual reality-based intervention to promote social participation in this group.Design/methodology/approachThis formative qualitative study was conducted in Norway during Autumn 2022. Nine in-depth individual interviews with adults recovering from dual diagnosis were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in a collaborative analysis process.FindingsResults indicated that social alienation, poor social skills, stigma, low self-esteem and social anxiety were key barriers to social participation in this group. This study suggests a need to learn appropriate social behaviour in mainstream society, in addition to better employability skills, civic literacy and health literacy to improve utilization of social opportunities.Practical implicationsThis study implies that virtual reality-based interventions for promoting social participation in people with dual diagnosis should primarily focus on learning and practising appropriate social behaviour in shared public spaces before practising advanced social skills such as employability skills in simulated work environments. Learning and practising social skills appears decisive for using more complex social opportunities, such as in education, health, social services and work.Originality/valueThis research provides suggestions for the content of a novel virtual reality-based intervention to promote social participation among people in recovery from dual diagnosis.

Mid-life social participation in people with intellectual disability: The 1958 British birth cohort study.

Low social participation is a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive deterioration in the general population and related to lower quality of life (QoL). We aimed to find out whether social participation is linked to cognitive deterioration and QoL for people with borderline intellectual functioning and mild intellectual disability. We used data from the National Child Development Study, consisting of people born during one week in 1958, to compare midlife social participation in people with mild intellectual disability, borderline intellectual functioning, and without intellectual impairment. We defined social participation as 1. confiding/emotional support from the closest person and social network contact frequency at age 44, and 2. confiding relationships with anyone at age 50. We then assessed the extent to which social participation mediated the association between childhood intellectual functioning and cognition and QoL at age 50. 14,094 participants completed cognitive tests at age 11. People with borderline intellectual functioning and mild intellectual disability had more social contact with relatives and confiding/emotional support from their closest person, but fewer social contacts with friends and confiding relationships with anyone than those without intellectual disability. Having a confiding relationship partially mediated the association at age 50 between IQ and cognition (6.4%) and QoL (27.4%) for people with borderline intellectual functioning. We found adults with intellectual disability have positive family relationships but fewer other relationships. Even at the age of 50, confiding relationships may protect cognition for people with borderline intellectual functioning and are important for QoL.

Determinants of social participation in people with disability.

In this study, it is aimed to determine personal wellbeing and social participation levels across different physical disability types and levels of mobility. A sample of 85 individuals with physical disabilities, excluding those with mental disabilities were included. Sociodemographics, mobility of the participants, cause, duration of disability were recorded. Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A) scale was used for the assessment of wellbeing and Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) for social participation. Female, single, unemployed subjects and individuals with neurologic disability showed significantly higher median KAP-scores(p = 0.009, p = 0.050, p<0.001, p = 0.050, respectively).The median KAP-score of the independently mobile group was significantly lower compared to the other two groups (p = 0.001). The factors affecting KAP were determined as employment, mobility level and personal wellbeing (p = 0.002, p = 0.024, p = 0.050, respectively). Mobility level, employment and personal wellbeing are the determinants of social participation in people with disabilities. Neurological disability, female gender, being single, unemployment and mobility limitations are factors that reduce social participation.

Examining behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in technology-based interventions for enhancing social participation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionTechnology-based interventions have improved the social participation of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Nevertheless, how these interventions modify social participation remains to be seen, and what...

Social Participation of People with Chronic Mental Health Needs: Building Horizontal and Vertical Forms of Social Capital

Social participation is positively related to mental health recovery and wellbeing, yet people with mental health problems are often socially isolated. This article investigates how social participation was incorporated into an Australian-integrated program that aimed to improve the wellbeing of people with chronic mental health needs. The data are from a longitudinal evaluation of the integrated program, including data linkage (5533 participants) and interviews (111). The paper uses concepts from the network perspective of social capital (bonding, bridging, linking, horizontal, and vertical) as lenses to re-examine the evaluation’s findings about the consumers’ social participation in life areas (social, leisure, and productive) facilitated by the program. This social capital perspective offers a lens to examine the breadth and intensity of participation experienced by the consumers taking part in the support program. The article adds to the literature about how service providers can improve social participation and therefore consumers’ opportunities for recovery and wellbeing. The analyses found that the support increased people’s social interaction and their capacity in the community. Their social interaction was mostly with other people in the service. Often their interactions in the community were only transactional. Few consumers participated in activities in productive life areas, and few of the activities promoted vertical social capital in social networks outside the service. The implications are that service providers need greater attention on facilitating a variety of social participation activities that can extend mental health consumers’ horizontal and vertical social capital and so further contribute to their current and future recovery and wellbeing.

Association between restricted outings and geriatric locomotive function scale score in the general elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundRestrictions in daily activities due to coronavirus infection countermeasures reduced opportunities for physical activity and social participation in people of all ages. This study investigated the associations of restricted outings on locomotive function during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cohort of middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling residents. MethodsRegistered citizens of 50 to 89 years old were targeted for this investigation. We established 8 groups based on age (50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s) and gender (male and female) after random sampling from the basic resident registry of Obuse town in 2014. All participants were surveyed by a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25) at the time of checkup before the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, in 2021 and 2022 after government restrictions on outings were lifted for COVID-19 pandemic, all participants were mailed questionnaires including the GLFS-25. A total of 296 (143 male and 153 female) participants who responded at least once were included. We evaluated the changes in opportunities to go out between pre- and post-pandemic time points and the impact on GLFS-25 scores. ResultsIn total, 128 (43.2%) respondents had fewer opportunities to go out than the previous year. Pre- and post-pandemic GLFS-25 scores in the decreased outing (+) group were significantly worse than in the decreased outing (-) group (both p<0.01). The final multivariate model revealed GLFS-25 score worsening beta coefficient of 0.27 for age (+10 years), 3.97 for male, 4.54 for decreased outings, and 4.46 for spinal canal stenosis. ConclusionsIn this randomly sampled Japanese cohort based on a resident registry, restricted outings during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant independent factor associated with lower locomotive function.

Exploring the challenges of social participation during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia through an occupational therapy lens.

To measure the social participation of people in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among people in Saudi Arabia to measure their participation in social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A validated questionnaire of Social Participation Scale was used to collect data from five main regions in Saudi Arabia through social media platforms. Means, frequencies, and percentages were calculated through descriptive analysis. Mean scores and standard deviation of social participation of participants were also presented. The total number of participants was 1,560 including Saudi (87.3%) and non-Saudi (12.7%) nationals. Most participants (60.2%) were female. The age of participants ranged between 16 and 24 years old. Around 62.1% of participants were married, 63.2% were educated, 48.4 were employed and 82% were from the Eastern region. Around 72% of participants earned <10,000 riyals per month compared to those (27.3%) who earned <5,000 riyals per month. A total 72.7% of the participants have been diagnosed by COVID-19. The mean score of social participation was 47.81 (SD = 0.27). Most participants (62.7%) reported that social participation was severely restricted. Around 68.2% of the participants were quarantined at the facilities. The social participation of people in Saudi Arabia had been severely restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic. An early assessment of people's social participation would help to identify their problems and needs, to help them improve their participation in social activities and thus increase their overall quality of life.

Good for business: towards a management control research agenda relating to the employment of workers with intellectual disability

PurposeThe paper presents the initial groundwork for the development of a research agenda around the management control implications of employing workers with intellectual disability.Design/methodology/approachThe point of departure of this foundational enquiry is primarily prior analyses and critiques of empirical research into the employment of workers with intellectual disabilities.FindingsThe authors extend the management control framework advanced by Tessier and Otley (2012) by offering insights relating to the benefits and costs of both compliance as well as performance roles of management control systems (MCS). As such, the authors advocate potential avenues for further empirical investigation and also offer four broad ways in which the use of MCS is implicated in the employment of individuals with an intellectual disability by recognising that achieving compliance outcomes or achieving performance outcomes both carry associated benefits and costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe extent to which management control research has engaged with the context of workers with intellectual disability is limited. However, this paper identifies some of the salient considerations underlying an agenda for further research in this area.Social implicationsThe employment of workers with intellectual disabilities is by no means unprecedented. In many Western economies, there have in recent times been significant disability policy shifts, recognising the key role of employment in the financial security and social participation of people with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities. A key performance indicator stated in these policy positions is an increase in workforce participation for this group of people. However, an increase in the employment of such individuals is likely to represent significant implications in terms of prevailing conditions as well as new management control configurations that may be required.Originality/valueThe paper overviews existing knowledge about the employment of workers living with an intellectual disability and identifies areas relating to the management control implications of such arrangements within which more research is required.

Discharge outcomes as predictors of social participation in the community after a stroke: a cohort study.

The mapping of possible predictors of restrictions in the social participation of people after stroke in the community can be an essential tool to support the development of rehabilitation strategies even in the hospital environment. This study aimed to identify whether mobility, functional balance and dependence on functionality at hospital discharge can predict restrictions on social participation 1 year after stroke in the community. This is a hospital-based cohort study, with individuals over 18 years old admitted with a diagnosis of acute stroke included. People with dementia, previous functional limitations and cancer patients were omitted. Mobility, balance and functional independence were the predictor variables at hospital discharge, and the outcome of interest was social participation assessed 1 year after a stroke in the community. Forty-eight patients were included after a 1-year follow-up. The degree of functional independence at hospital discharge ( β = 0.813; P < 0.01) was the independent predictor of social participation, specifically the locomotion ( β = 0.452; P < 0.001) and social cognition ( β = 0.462; P < 0.001) related to functional independence. Mobility ( β = 0.040; P = 0.777) and functional balance ( β = 0.060; P = 0.652) did not show an independent association. Cognitive functional independence was a predictor of daily activities ( β = 0.786; P < 0.001), social roles ( β = 0.390; P = 0.014) and satisfaction ( β = 0.564; P < 0.001) of social participation. The degree of functional independence of people after a stroke at hospital discharge was able to predict the level of social involvement in the community one year after the stroke.

Pain and participation in social activities in people with relapsing remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis.

Differences in pain between subtypes of multiple sclerosis are understudied. To compare the prevalence of pain, and the association between pain and: (a) pain interference and (b) social participation in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and progressive multiple sclerosis. Participants completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire Short-Form-2, Pain Effects Scale and Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities-V2.0 questionnaires. We tested the association between multiple sclerosis subtype, pain severity, and pain interference/social participation using quantile regression. Of 231 participants (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: 161, progressive multiple sclerosis: 70), 82.3% were women. The prevalence of pain was 95.2%, of more than mild pain was 38.1%, and of pain-related limitations was 87%; there were no differences between multiple sclerosis subtypes. Compared to participants with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, those with progressive multiple sclerosis reported higher pain interference (mean (standard deviation) Pain Effects Scale; progressive multiple sclerosis: 15[6.0] vs relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: 13[5], p = 0.039) and lower social participation (Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities T-scores 45[9.0] vs 48.3[8.9], p = 0.011). However, on multivariable analysis accounting for age, physical disability, mood/anxiety and fatigue, multiple sclerosis subtype was not associated with differences in pain interference or social participation. Pain was nearly ubiquitous. Over one-third of individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and progressive multiple sclerosis reported pronounced pain, although this did not differ by multiple sclerosis subtype.

Factors and key interactions influencing successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities

Responding to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, many countries are trying to improve economic and social participation for people with disabilities. Yet, workforce participation remains substantially lower for people with disabilities than for people without disabilities. Building on a recently developed model of factors that influence mainstream employment outcomes for people with disabilities, this study utilises the social model of disability to examine the perceived relative importance of each factor and the interactions between them. We conducted 47 semi‐structured interviews with people with disabilities, employers and disability employment services providers to identify eight factors that were most important in achieving successful employment outcomes: nature of the disability, disability disclosure, personal motivation, employer attitudes, job characteristics, corporate culture and climate, government support and societal attitudes. Eight interactions between the factors were also identified. Findings provide insights that can guide the implementation of structural changes to ensure better employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Sensory processing, autonomic nervous function, and social participation in people with mental illnesses.

This study investigated the relationship between sensory processing, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and social participation in people with psychiatric disorders. This study recruited 30 participants, primarily women, from a psychiatric university hospital with a mental health diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (mean age: 37.7 ± 16.0years). Sensory processing, autonomic nervous function, and social participation were measured using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile®, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, respectively. Through mediation analysis, a model wherein sensory processing mediated the relationship between respiratory sinus arrhythmia and social participation was developed. Social participation was moderately to highly correlated with Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile® quadrants (excluding sensory seeking) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Furthermore, the mediation analysis revealed that sensory avoiding mediated the relationship between respiratory sinus arrhythmia and social participation, consequently counteracting the direct relationship. A mediation model was constructed, which indicated that individuals with psychiatric disorders and low parasympathetic nervous system activity expressed higher sensory processing quadrant of sensory avoiding. Ultimately, this was associated with reduced social participation.

Fatigue Influences Social Participation in Aphasia: A Cross-sectional and Retrospective Study Using Patient-Reported Measures

ObjectiveTo examine associations between social participation, fatigue, and aphasia severity using patient-reported outcome measures and to examine associations between demographic/diagnostic variables and fatigue in people with aphasia. DesignRetrospective analysis of patient-reported outcome measures using a Bayesian framework. SettingUrban rehabilitation research hospital. Participants67 participants (N=67) with chronic aphasia (mean age=54.1 years) as a consequence of stroke. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresAbility to Participate in Social Roles and Activities, Fatigue, and Global Health Questionnaire scales from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System initiative and the Western Aphasia Battery–Revised. We hypothesized an association between social participation and fatigue in people with aphasia. ResultsPeople with aphasia with higher fatigue levels tended to report less social participation. Also, people with aphasia who were a longer time post-stroke tended to report higher social participation. People with aphasia who reported better physical health were more likely to report higher social participation. ConclusionsThere is an association between fatigue and social participation in people with aphasia. Fatigue should be considered in clinical assessments and treatments for this population.

Does the Nae Umeed group intervention improve mental health and social participation? A pre-post study in Uttarakhand, India.

There are few evidence-based interventions to support caregiver mental health developed for low- and middle-income countries. Nae Umeed is a community-based group intervention developed with collaboratively with local community health workers in Uttarakhand, India primarily to promote mental wellbeing for caregivers and others. This pre-post study aimed to evaluate whether Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation for people with mental distress, including caregivers. The intervention consisted of 14 structured group sessions facilitated by community health workers. Among 115 adult participants, 20% were caregivers and 80% were people with disability and other vulnerable community members; 62% had no formal education and 92% were female. Substantial and statistically significant improvements occurred in validated psychometric measures for mental health (12-Item General Health Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and social participation (Participation Scale). Improvements occurred regardless of caregiver status. This intervention addressed mental health and social participation for marginalised groups that are typically without access to formal mental health care and findings suggest Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation; however, a controlled community trial would be required to prove causation. Community-based group interventions are a promising approach to improving the mental health of vulnerable groups in South Asia.