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Schoenmakers EC, Lasgaard M, McHugh Power J. Guidelines for evaluating and reporting social isolation and loneliness interventions. J Health Psychol 2024:13591053241238127. [PMID: 38527950 DOI: 10.1177/13591053241238127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the unpleasant nature of social isolation and loneliness (SIL) and their negative effects on health and wellbeing, interventions are needed. However, persistent issues in the design, evaluation, and reporting of SIL interventions preclude conclusive evidence and commentary on the effectiveness of SIL interventions. Here, we propose guidelines for evaluating SIL interventions, firstly by operationalising them into two categories: (1) interventions aiming to reduce SIL as a primary outcome and (2) interventions aiming to improve non-SIL outcomes in the lives of individuals experiencing SIL. Secondly, we evaluate instruments for measuring SIL and research designs for studying intervention effectiveness. Thirdly, guidelines for reporting information about the intervention, study design, results, and discussion in SIL intervention studies are presented. These guidelines will help researchers to better and more consistently report on SIL interventions and improve comparability of SIL interventions, ultimately contributing to the improvement of interventions and to the mitigation of SIL.
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Grygiel P, Dolata R, Humenny G, Muszyński M. Depressive symptoms and loneliness among early adolescents: a psychometric network analysis approach. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:199-214. [PMID: 37550521 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrate a high prevalence of depression and loneliness among adolescents. Although they often co-occur, the relationship between symptoms of depression and loneliness remains poorly understood. This study investigates: (a) the symptoms of depression that are connected to loneliness; (b) the role played by loneliness in the network of depression symptoms; and (c) whether the method used to measure loneliness (single-item direct or multi-item indirect) affects the relationship of loneliness with depressive symptoms. METHODS Participants were 496 Polish adolescents (50.8% girls) aged 11 to 13, who completed: (a) the 10-item Major Depressive Disorder subscale of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale; (b) the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (indirect loneliness), and (c) a single direct question evaluating loneliness: 'I'm lonely'. Networks were estimated using a Gaussian Graphical Model. RESULTS Loneliness shows a direct relationship with three affective symptoms of depression: sadness, worthlessness, and anhedonia, which mediate relationships with somatic symptoms. In contrast to previous studies, loneliness has the lowest level of centrality among all elements of the network. The method used to assess loneliness did not significantly affect the connections between loneliness and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Loneliness and depression overlap since they are formed by the same cognitive biases and deficits in emotion regulation but differ in the level of generality. In loneliness, they have an interpersonal context, while symptoms of depression can be intrapersonal. This helps us to understand why cognitive interventions, as compared to those which are social, are more effective in reducing loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marek Muszyński
- Institute of Philosophy and Sociology Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Li Z, Gu J, Li P, Hu J, Wang S, Wang P, Zhou L, Yun Y, Shi Y, Wang P. The relationship between social frailty and loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:73. [PMID: 38238657 PMCID: PMC10797967 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04666-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social frailty (SF) is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes, yet there has been an inadequate focus on social frailty. The convoy model portrays the social networks through the perspective of the life course, thus providing a framework to explain the occurrence of social frailty. This study aimd to figure out the prevalence of social frailty and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults and to explore their correlations based on convoy model. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study, and 295 older adults from 10 communities of Zhengzhou in Henan Province participated in the study. Social frailty and loneliness were assessed separately with the Social Frailty Scale and University of California at Los Angeles-Loneliness Scale. The scores of social frailty of the older adults in different characteristic communities were compared by independent sample t-test and single factor analysis of variance. The influencing factors of social frailty were analysed by multiple stepwise linear regression and the structural equation model. The correlation between social frailty and loneliness was analysed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS The total scores of social frailty and loneliness of the older adults in the community were (2.09 ± 1.53) and (43.19 ± 8.91), respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between social frailty and loneliness (r = 0.621, P < 0.01). The results of multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age, living styles, balance of payments, and loneliness were the main influencing factors of the social frailty of older adults in the community (F = 27.180, P < 0.001). The structural equation model of social frailty fitted well (χ2 = 47.292, df = 26, χ2/df = 1.819, P = 0.007; RMSEA = 0.053, 95%CI (0.028, 0.076), P = 0.359; GFI = 0.971; AGFI = 0.939; NFI = 0.904; IFI = 0.955; TLI = 0.918; CFI = 0.953; SRMR = 0.0466). CONCLUSIONS The convoy model had certain applicability in explanation of the relationship between loneliness and social frailty among older adults in community. The incidence of social frailty among the older adults in the community was high, and loneliness was at a medium level. It is necessary to strengthen the intervention of social frailty and loneliness of the older adults in the community, improve the quality of life of the older adults, and promote the development of healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiao Li
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinjin Gu
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peiling Li
- Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaqi Hu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- School of Nursing, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HongKong, China
| | - Panpan Wang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Henan Electric Power Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Yun
- Henan Electric Power Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Shi
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Bailie J, Bishop GM, Badland H, Emerson E, Aitken Z, Stancliffe R, Ekanayake K, Llewellyn G. Health and wellbeing outcomes associated with loneliness for people with disability: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2361. [PMID: 38031029 PMCID: PMC10685646 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is a significant public health concern due to its detrimental impact on health and wellbeing. Despite people with disability reporting higher levels of loneliness than the general population, there has been little research into how this is affecting their health and wellbeing. In light of this, the aim of our study was to scope both the existing evidence about the health and wellbeing outcomes associated with loneliness for people with disability, as well as the conceptual frameworks and measures utilised in this field of research. METHODS To conduct this scoping review, we followed the methodology outlined by JBI and searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Informit, Embase, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between 1 January 2000 and 8 February 2023. Two independent reviewers completed screening, full-text review and data extraction, with consensus sought at each stage. Data were analysed using content analysis and presented both numerically and narratively. RESULTS Out of the initial 1602 publications identified in the scoping review, only nine were included after duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text review. This limited number of studies, with the earliest study one published in 2015, represents a key finding. Eight of the nine studies were quantitative, and all were conducted in high income countries. Most of these studies utilised a version of the University of Los Angles Loneliness Scale to measure loneliness and addressed specific impairment groups. Notably, most of the studies identified associations between loneliness and health and wellbeing outcomes for people with disability. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review highlights the current scarcity of studies examining the effect that loneliness has on the health and wellbeing outcomes of people with disability. As most of the reviewed studies relied on loneliness measures designed for individuals without disability, they potentially overlook the unique life experiences of people with disability. Given that loneliness is an international public health concern, it is imperative that people with disability are not left behind or overlooked in efforts to address the impact of loneliness on health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Bailie
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- University Centre for Rural Health, The University of Sydney, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia.
| | - Glenda M Bishop
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Hannah Badland
- Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Eric Emerson
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Centre for Disability Research, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Zoe Aitken
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Roger Stancliffe
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | | | - Gwynnyth Llewellyn
- Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Foster HME, Gill JMR, Mair FS, Celis-Morales CA, Jani BD, Nicholl BI, Lee D, O'Donnell CA. Social connection and mortality in UK Biobank: a prospective cohort analysis. BMC Med 2023; 21:384. [PMID: 37946218 PMCID: PMC10637015 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Components of social connection are associated with mortality, but research examining their independent and combined effects in the same dataset is lacking. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined associations between functional and structural components of social connection and mortality. METHODS Analysis of 458,146 participants with full data from the UK Biobank cohort linked to mortality registers. Social connection was assessed using two functional (frequency of ability to confide in someone close and often feeling lonely) and three structural (frequency of friends/family visits, weekly group activities, and living alone) component measures. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the associations with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. RESULTS Over a median of 12.6 years (IQR 11.9-13.3) follow-up, 33,135 (7.2%) participants died, including 5112 (1.1%) CVD deaths. All social connection measures were independently associated with both outcomes. Friends/family visit frequencies < monthly were associated with a higher risk of mortality indicating a threshold effect. There were interactions between living alone and friends/family visits and between living alone and weekly group activity. For example, compared with daily friends/family visits-not living alone, there was higher all-cause mortality for daily visits-living alone (HR 1.19 [95% CI 1.12-1.26]), for never having visits-not living alone (1.33 [1.22-1.46]), and for never having visits-living alone (1.77 [1.61-1.95]). Never having friends/family visits whilst living alone potentially counteracted benefits from other components as mortality risks were highest for those reporting both never having visits and living alone regardless of weekly group activity or functional components. When all measures were combined into overall functional and structural components, there was an interaction between components: compared with participants defined as not isolated by both components, those considered isolated by both components had higher CVD mortality (HR 1.63 [1.51-1.76]) than each component alone (functional isolation 1.17 [1.06-1.29]; structural isolation 1.27 [1.18-1.36]). CONCLUSIONS This work suggests (1) a potential threshold effect for friends/family visits, (2) that those who live alone with additional concurrent markers of structural isolation may represent a high-risk population, (3) that beneficial associations for some types of social connection might not be felt when other types of social connection are absent, and (4) considering both functional and structural components of social connection may help to identify the most isolated in society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish M E Foster
- General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TB, Scotland.
| | - Jason M R Gill
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland
| | - Frances S Mair
- General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TB, Scotland
| | - Carlos A Celis-Morales
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland
| | - Bhautesh D Jani
- General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TB, Scotland
| | - Barbara I Nicholl
- General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TB, Scotland
| | - Duncan Lee
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The Mathematics and Statistics Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8SQ, Scotland
| | - Catherine A O'Donnell
- General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TB, Scotland
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Dal Bello-Haas V, Kaasalainen S, Maximos M, Virag O, Seng-iad S, Te A, Bui M. Short-Term, Community-Based, Slow-Stream Rehabilitation Program for Older Adults Transitioning from Hospital to Home: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation. Clin Interv Aging 2023; 18:1789-1811. [PMID: 37905200 PMCID: PMC10613420 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s419476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shortened hospital stays have shifted the burden of care for older adults to community, informal (ie, family, caregiver) and formal post-acute care and services, highlighting the need for effective post-hospital stay services and programs. As there is a dearth of information related to community-based, slow-stream rehabilitation program models for older adults transitioning from hospital to home in the Canadian context, the paper describes a mixed methods evaluation of such a program. Materials and Methods A mixed methods program evaluation, with process- and outcome-related elements, included 1) review and analysis of program documents; 2) observations to examine fidelity. Observation data were coded and summarized using descriptive statistics. Coded information and data were compared to document review data; 3) quantitative assessment of pre-post changes in physical, social, and psychological outcome measure and instrument scores using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and confidence intervals (p = 0.05); and 4) exploration of acceptability through interviews and focus groups with 41 of the older adult participants and 17 family caregivers. Thematic analysis was used to examine focus group and interview transcripts. Results Observational data indicated alignment with the program document information overall. Statistically and clinically significant positive trends in improvement for physical outcome measure scores were observed (6-minute Walk Test, Life Space Assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity). Participants and family caregivers identified several positives and benefits of the program, ie, improvement in physical, social and mental well-being, decreased caregiver burden; and areas for improvement ie, need for more information about the program prior to enrollment and individualization, several of which aligned with the observation and quantitative data. Discussion/Conclusion This mixed methods program evaluation provided a detailed description of a community-based, slow-stream rehabilitation program for older adults who are transitioning to home post-hospital stay and its participants. Evidence of program fidelity, acceptability, and positive trends in improvement in physical outcome measure scores were found. Information about program strengths and areas for improvement can be used by stakeholders to inform program refinement and enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Olivia Virag
- Department of Family Medicine, David Braley Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sirirat Seng-iad
- Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alyssa Te
- Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Bui
- McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Zhang D, Lu Q, Li L, Wang X, Yan H, Sun Z. Loneliness in nursing homes: A qualitative meta-synthesis of older people's experiences. J Clin Nurs 2023; 32:7062-7075. [PMID: 37605069 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older people in the nursing home environment are much less mobile and capable of taking care of themselves as they age, and most of them face the plight of loneliness, which seriously affects the quality of life of older people in their later years. AIMS A systematic review and synthesis of older people's experiences of loneliness in nursing homes. DESIGN Following ENTREQ, do a systematic evaluation and synthesis of qualitative investigations. METHODS A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, the Chinese biomedical literature service system, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Database and the Wipu Database for qualitative studies of older people's experiences of loneliness in nursing homes was conducted with a search time frame of March 2023. Evaluation of the quality of the literature using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research, And the data were synthesised using Thomas and Harden's method of thematic and content analysis. RESULTS A total of 13 papers were included, and 36 research findings were distilled and integrated into three themes: causes of loneliness; feelings of loneliness; coping with loneliness; and seven sub-themes: aging and loss; environmental transformation; loneliness is a pain; loneliness is a choice; participation; strengthening social ties; and diverting attention. CONCLUSIONS Older people in nursing homes face varying degrees of loneliness, which is a subjective feeling influenced by the interplay between personal awareness and the external environment, so future care interventions should be developed in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the characteristics of the older people themselves and their external environment. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION This study is a meta-synthesis and does not require relevant contributions from patients or the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deping Zhang
- Day Surgery Room, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qizhen Lu
- Operating room, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Li
- Central sterile Supply department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Mammography, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongqi Yan
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theatre command, Shenyang, China
| | - Zijian Sun
- Haemodialysis Unit, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Zhong BL, Yuan MD, Li F, Sun P. The Psychological Network of Loneliness Symptoms Among Chinese Residents During the COVID-19 Outbreak. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:3767-3776. [PMID: 37705850 PMCID: PMC10497046 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s424565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Social distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to increased levels of loneliness, but the specific interactions between loneliness symptoms in the context of the pandemic remain unknown. This study characterized the psychological network of loneliness symptoms in residents during the initial wave of COVID-19 outbreak in China. Patients and Methods The study recruited 8472 Chinese residents (61.5% women, aged 33.0±10.6 years) through online snowball sampling. The Six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) was used to measure loneliness symptoms. Central symptoms of and bridge symptoms between emotional and social loneliness subscales were identified based on centrality and bridge centrality indices, respectively. Network stability was examined using the case-dropping procedures. Results The nodes in the loneliness network were separated into two groups, corresponding to the social and emotional loneliness domains of the DJGLS. The strongest direction association was between "no reliable people" and "no trustworthy people" (edge weight=0.546). "No trustworthy people" has the highest node strength (1.047) in the loneliness network, followed by "emptiness sense" (0.767) and "no reliable people" (0.749). "Feeling of rejection" (1.672) and "no close people" (0.403) showed the first and second highest bridge strengths, respectively. Both the stability and accuracy tests supported robustness of the whole network. Conclusion Interventions targeting central symptoms "no trustworthy people" and "emptiness sense" and central bridge symptom "feeling of rejection" may be effective for alleviating the overall level of loneliness in pandemic-affected Chinese residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Liang Zhong
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng-Di Yuan
- Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Huangpu District Mental Health Center, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Huangpu District Mental Health Center, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Rees J, Liu W, Ourselin S, Shi Y, Probst F, Antonelli M, Tinker A, Matcham F. Understanding the psychological experiences of loneliness in later life: qualitative protocol to inform technology development. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072420. [PMID: 37336536 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness is a public health issue impacting the health and well-being of older adults. This protocol focuses on understanding the psychological experiences of loneliness in later life to inform technology development as part of the 'Design for health ageing: a smart system to detect loneliness in older people' (DELONELINESS) study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Data will be collected from semi-structured interviews with up to 60 people over the age of 65 on their experiences of loneliness and preferences for sensor-based technologies. The interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic codebook approach on NVivo software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has received ethical approval by Research Ethics Committee's at King's College London (reference number: LRS/DP-21/22-33376) and the University of Sussex (reference number: ER/JH878/1). All participants will be required to provide informed consent. Results will be used to inform technology development within the DELONELINESS study and will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rees
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yu Shi
- School of Design, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Freya Probst
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michela Antonelli
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthea Tinker
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Faith Matcham
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, UK
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Daniel F, Espírito-Santo H, Lemos L, Guadalupe S, Barroso I, Gomes da Silva A, Ferreira PL. Measuring loneliness: Psychometric properties of the three-item loneliness scale among community-dwelling adults. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15948. [PMID: 37215896 PMCID: PMC10192737 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is a prevalent set of negative feelings associated with unsatisfactory and reduced social interactions, inadequate social support, poor satisfaction with life and health, negative emotions, and economic burden. Thus, its measurement is of foremost importance. Therefore, this study aimed (i) to devise the Portuguese version of the three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS), which is ideal for epidemiological studies, and (ii) to evaluate its psychometric properties. Three hundred forty-five community-dwelling Portuguese adults with a mean age of 54.6 ± 19.5 years, 61.7% women, recruited door-to-door, were assessed with the Portuguese versions of T-ILS, Satisfaction With Life Scale-SWLS, Lubben Social Network Scale 6-items-LSNS-6, a question regarding Happiness/Unhappiness, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The T-ILS showed good psychometric properties and correlated moderately with SWLS and LSNS-6, and happiness, and weakly with the number of people in the household. The Portuguese version of the T-ILS proved to be a valid and reliable instrument, easy and quick to administer. It proved to be a valuable tool in screening loneliness in Portugal, being potentially useful to the identification of lonelier people in need of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Daniel
- Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Health Studies and Research of the University of Coimbra (CEISUC), Portugal
| | - Helena Espírito-Santo
- Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Laura Lemos
- Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Guadalupe
- Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Health Studies and Research of the University of Coimbra (CEISUC), Portugal
| | - Isabel Barroso
- Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Gomes da Silva
- Centre for Health Studies and Research of the University of Coimbra (CEISUC), Portugal
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (IPC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lopes Ferreira
- Centre for Health Studies and Research of the University of Coimbra (CEISUC), Portugal
- Faculty of Economics (FEUC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
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