Psychological Factors Affecting Social Isolation

The social isolation risks rose up with development of social exclusion and hardship, such as addiction, divorce, disability, separation and illness. An also, people confront with predicament exacerbation by the

Social isolation can have a significant impact on mental health. The studies done by the authors, show that those who are socially isolated experience more stress and cognitive decline. Cacioppo, Hawkely, Norman and Bernston (2011) and Hawkley and Cacioppo (2009) show that the lack of consistent human contact sometimes due to the unwillingness of others to befriend the mentally ill. Social isolation is both a cause and an effect of mental distress. When the person isolates more, they face more mental distress.

The impact of loneliness on physical health can also be better understood by the study conducted by Uchino and colleagues (1996). They found that social individuals have lower blood pressure, better immunity and lower levels of stress hormones than the socially isolated people. In contrast another study described by Arthur 2006 demonstrated that it is not yet clear that group therapy or socialization can improve the secondary prevention of Coronary heart Disease. After considering all the studies and arguments by different authors it can be conclude that it is necessary to do more research on the impact of socialization on physical health of individuals.

In “social isolation and perceived barriers to establishing social networks among Latina immigrants”, Hurtado de Mendoza, Gonzales, Serrano, Kaltman (2014) argues that Latina immigrants who come to the United States suffer can suffer from social isolation that affects their overall health. The study was conducted on Latina immigrants between the ages of 18-70. It condcluded that a repeated factor resoposible for their social isolation was the comparision they made between their homelands and the new envorminet they were exposed to when arriving to the Unites States. The study wanted to acknoweldge the barrieres that are experciended with an unreperesented population, this being Latina immigrants experviening social isolation.

Being a social worker with older adults for over 30 years has shown me that this population is vulnerable to social isolation due to a multitude of losses. These include the death of one’s spouse and friends, retirement, reduced finances, physical and cognitive decline. The recent advent of social media has brought the potential to improve emotional well-being by connecting people. A number of studies have explored the relationship between Internet and quality of life, however, there is little evidence available looking specifically at social engagement tools as a means to improve emotional health. I would like to focus specifically on the effects of social engagement on isolation among older adults and I believe doctoral research is necessary to achieve this goal.

Although, there are some groups that should be avoided because they are formed by marginalized individuals that are bitter about not recovering from their illness, or injuries and even substance abuse (Smith and Christakis, 2008). The more that social networks promote positive attitudes throughout the community, to enforce wise lifestyle choices with healthy habits, the more assistant experts will have will to continue to push information through network for the public. However, based on Rochester Institute of Technology it’s said that there are six criteria of social support that researchers used to measure the level of overall social support available for the specific person or situation (Cutrona, Russell, & Rose,

. Using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, researchers could measure the participants' level of social isolation. The researchers found that participants who use social media for two or more hours a day were two times more likely to perceive social isolation, compared to those who only spend less than half an hour each day

Isolation is the absence of other people around someone. Studies show a repeating trend that suggests that isolation causes harm to those whom it affects and, although to a lesser extent, their family and friends as well. There are two types of isolation, self-induced isolation and forced isolation, such as exile.

If an individual have a good social support system in their lives, it will cause for them to have a positive physical and psychological health. But, if there are a poor social support, mental illness have been known to affect a person health. Also, it have been known that people with a poor social support are more vulnerable to morbidity and mortality that comes from different medical illnesses. Perceived social support was negatively related to stress and predictive of health and well-being (Glozah & Pevalin, 2014). Individuals who have a

Individuals classified has having no form of social support is associated with more psychological problems and increased mortality rate while those with an average amount of social support improves health because it reduces stress. Having family and friends to share problems with is beneficial to their health because it gives them an outlet to release built up frustrations. The mortality rate in the socially isolated group is three to four times higher than those individuals in the socially integrated group. Adolescent smoking rates were higher in the social isolated group while heathier behaviors were more prominent in the moderate amount of social support. Two trials were

Friends provide assistance, social support, and comfort. Social support enhances self-esteem, provide encouragement, and promote health behaviors. Elderly people usually have family and friendships connection that keep them busy and happy with activities (DePaulo, 2006). Elderly with social interactions tend to live longer and happier. Connection with family members provide crucial source of comfort in the last years of their lives. Siblings provide assistance and support during late adulthood as they often share the longest relationship. Children may turn to their elderly parents for monetary help, information, and advice. During this stage, children and grandchildren are important to the healthy development of elderly.

Seniors often find themselves in situations of social isolation. This is especially true when their health has caused them to need constant care and supervision. A study titled "A Review of Social Isolation”

Social resources can be a health benefit because they aid our coping by changing our circumstances by making them appear less threatening. Social resources can help one relieve the emotional impact of stressful situations. In a study done by Cohen, Doyle, Turner, Alper, and Skoner (2003), it was found that higher levels of sociability correlated to lower levels of illness. Furthermore, it was found that having a “positive emotional style was associated with a lower risk of developing a cold” (Cohen, Doyle, et al. 2003; 393). Supporting what I mentioned above, having social ties means that ones has a larger network to draw support from – whether they are percieved are actual. One common trend is the importance of having a strong social support

The events of Of Mice and Men occurred during the time of great depression in America. At that time there was economic crisis that resulted in loss of millions of jobs and people became homeless and very poor. This was reflected in the novel because George and Lennie were poor and had no place to go. Both of them were moving from ranch to ranch searching for a job to survive. This scenario demonstrated their feeling of isolation and loneliness when George mentioned to Lennie “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place." (Page 13). The author described also that the feeling of poverty and loneliness made the men seem to return to their basic instinct and fight to survive.

The conceptual framework that this paper uses to analyze social isolation is the Roy adaptation model (Roy, C., & Andrews, H. A. (1999). This framework was developed in 1976 by Sister Callista Roy and this is why it does not meet the criteria of the reference needed.