Social isolation: development and validation of measures

Epidemiology of loneliness & social isolation, an emerging public mental health predicament in India: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Loneliness and Social Isolation (SI) has evolved into an epidemic and WHO has alarmed many developed and developing countries that their citizens are going through the epidemic of loneliness and SI. It affects the Mental Health status of a person & leads to morbidities and premature death. Loneliness and SI are overlooked subjects resulting in poor research turnover. This scoping review has explored the extent of literature availability on loneliness and SI in India OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the availability of literature on loneliness and SI in India METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using predetermined search terms in Google Scholar and PubMed, selecting only open-access articles. Selected articles were scrutinized for their quality with the help of STROBE & COREQ checklists before entering into the review RESULTS: A total of 155 articles were screened and after excluding the duplicates129 articles were chosen for the next step to screen for inclusion criteria and finally nine articles were selected for this review. The highest prevalence of loneliness and SI reported was 37.6% and the lowest was 18.3% CONCLUSION: There is a lack of literature on loneliness and such available kinds of literature are done among the geriatric population only. The scientific community should focus on this emerging domain and come out with true prevalence rates among different age groups so that effective strategies can be devised to address this latent yet significant mental health issue in India.

A formative measurement model and development of quality of work-life scale based on two-factor theory: evidence from Indian private industries

Purpose

This study examines the quality of work-life (QoWL) as a formative construct and validates the scale in an Indian context. Taking a cue from the two-factor (Herzberg) theory, the study developed and validated a formative assessment model of QoWL in the current scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data and a self-administered questionnaire were used to analyze the QoWL scale based on a sample of 841 respondents from IT/ITES, BFSI, CPG and manufacturing sectors. Indicators/items of QoWL were considered a first-order reflective construct, and factors of QoWL were considered second-order formative construct in the study. Embedded two-stage approach was used to assess the antecedent construct in the model in which QoWL was measured with seven formative indicators in stage one, and all the constructs of the QoWL are measured with a single item (Global_QWL, i.e. the essence of all constructs) in stage two.

Findings

The study found QoWL as a formative construct with seven significant dimensions; namely, hygiene factors included fairness in compensation (FC), job security (JS), interpersonal relationship (IR), health and wellbeing (HWB), where motivational factors had rewards and career growth (RG), work-life balance (WLB) and learning and development (LD). The study also indicated the strong association of a single item (global_QWL) with all constructs of QoWL. The study findings conceptualize a QoWL as a formative construct within the mentioned sector and can be generalized and extended to other sectors of the economy as well.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers can take guidance to deal with the formative construct in the development and validation of scale in various topics in the field of HRM. Future researchers can extend the study across cities and different sectors.

Practical implications

In this VUCA world, employees have to be constantly on their toes to ensure their organization remains relevant. In this context, the least organization can do for their employees is to offer a conducive environment and favorable QoWL. This study aims to assist the key decision-makers in applying the QoWL index as a formative construct and aiding them in improving the quality of their decisions.

Social implications

Researcher believes that applying the QoWL index as a formative construct can aid decision-makers in improving the quality of their decisions by equipping them with relevant inputs and knowledge. Government can focus on the employees' welfare and introduce the current motivational and hygiene factors in the area of quality of life of the Indians.

Originality/value

Formative assessment measurement of QoWL model was validated with the two-factor theory to understand the work environment of India in the private sector across different sectors. The unique finding of the study was a single item (global_QWL) to conclude the QoWL index as a formative construct by redundancy analysis.

Impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation on academic staff and students at universities: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

"The impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the shutdown it triggered at universities across the world, led to a great degree of social isolation among university staff and students. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived consequences of this on staff and their work and on students and their studies at universities.

METHOD

The study used a variety of methods, which involved an on-line survey on the influences of social isolation using a non-probability sampling. More specifically, two techniques were used, namely a convenience sampling (i.e. involving members of the academic community, which are easy to reach by the study team), supported by a snow ball sampling (recruiting respondents among acquaintances of the participants). A total of 711 questionnaires from 41 countries were received. Descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse trends and to identify socio-demographic differences. Inferential statistics were used to assess significant differences among the geographical regions, work areas and other socio-demographic factors related to impacts of social isolation of university staff and students.

RESULTS

The study reveals that 90% of the respondents have been affected by the shutdown and unable to perform normal work or studies at their institution for between 1 week to 2 months. While 70% of the respondents perceive negative impacts of COVID 19 on their work or studies, more than 60% of them value the additional time that they have had indoors with families and others. .

CONCLUSIONS

While the majority of the respondents agree that they suffered from the lack of social interaction and communication during the social distancing/isolation, there were significant differences in the reactions to the lockdowns between academic staff and students. There are also differences in the degree of influence of some of the problems, when compared across geographical regions. In addition to policy actions that may be deployed, further research on innovative methods of teaching and communication with students is needed in order to allow staff and students to better cope with social isolation in cases of new or recurring pandemics.