Social Intervention for Depression and Social Isolation Among the Elderly Social isolation can be a major health problem for many older adults (Dickens, Richards, Greaves, & Campbell, 2011). Social isolation involves, individuals lacking social connections and engagement with others (Nicholson, 2012). Depression in elderly populations has become more prevalent with the aging population (Pittock, 2012). Depression has negative effects on many facets of an elderly persons life, including quality of life and functional abilities (Ell, 2006). Depression rates in those 65+ living alone has been found to be between 1% - 4% (Mojtabai & Olfson, 2004). A recent meta-analysis found, those with strong social networks had a 50% reduction in the …show more content…
While Fukukawa et al. (2004) found that family social support moderates the negative consequences of health problems which in turn reduces depressive symptoms. Emotional and instrumental supports were also found to be protective factors. Chou, Chi and Chow (2004) found that family social support is a mediator between financial independence and depression, finding that financial strain acts as a partial mediator between welfare participation and depression. However, in contrast to previous research findings they found that family social support was not a moderator for source of income and depression. Researchers have identified several main gaps in this research area. These include difficulties in measuring social isolation, lack of randomisation in studies, as well as small sample sizes, meta analysis being conducted purely on English written studies and very limited research that has been carried out in Australia (Dickens, et al., 2011). Very few studies who look at social isolation in both urban and rurall environments (Luggen & Rini, 1995). Bruce (2002) emphasised that psychosocial factors needed to be studied in the context of biological variables. While Pittock (2012) stresses the need for more research into cost-effective treatment options for social isolation and depression in the elderly research into residential care is lacking, as well as limited studies focusing on protective factors for social isolation and depression. Grenade and
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.
Social relationships play a very important role in our lives, especially in maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle. Whereas Social isolation have been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in a host of medical illnesses. Pillai & Verghese argued about number of social network variables including marital status, living arrangement, number of children, frequency of contacts and satisfaction, and their correlation with dementia (2009). The study concluded that “those with larger social networks are also thought be less depressed, which also is associated with cognitive decline and dementia”.
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.
Depression is one of the most common cases when people feel extremely lonely and sad. Elders are prone to getting this condition since most of their time is spent at home alone or when they do not get enough care and attention that they need. Some family members somehow forget that elders are also social human beings that can be greatly affected at the event of long-term isolation. One Care Companion, a quality provider of home care services in Naples South Florida, is here to give you the seven (7) must-read ways in dealing with depression.
Life satisfaction is typically related to social relationships, which helps us to understand why relationships are essential for older adults' well-being (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Naturally, it would seem that most adults in their later lives would have more support from friends and family to rally around them and support them through the various challenges and stressors of late adulthood. However, Broderick and Blewitt (2015) acknowledge that it is normal for their social networks of friends and family is smaller in scope than in the past. It must be
Barrett, A. E., & Turner, R. J. (2005). Family structure and mental health: The mediating effects of socioeconomic status, family process, and social stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 46 (2),
Depression significantly predicted the ‘lonely not isolated’ category, participants who were never or rarely depressed were significantly less likely to be ‘lonely not isolated’ when compared to their counterparts who were frequently depressed. Similarly, living in close proximity to family also significantly reduced the likelihood of being ‘lonely not isolated.’ In contrast, low self-esteem and low levels of interpersonal control (Q2) significantly increased the likelihood of inclusion in the ‘lonely not isolated’
While women, tend to have higher levels of education, report higher levels of prior hospitalization or mental illness, and have more social support. In regards to the first hypothesis stated, it was partially correct except for the portion assuming men would receive more instrumental support than women. The data showed that women received more support in all three fields than men. In regards to the mediating model of depression, the results indicated that life events have a positive effect on depression, while social support and mastery illustrate direct negative effects on depressive symptoms. However, it is important to note that for females, social support does not mediate the effects of life evens on depression. Overall, social support was supported by the data to be a more important mediating factor for depression in men than women; it is noted that, “Although women have more social support, this support fails to mediate the effect of life stressors on depressive symptomatology” (Lagory et al.,
Social isolation is a concept that can be utilized across multiple disciplines such as psychology, sociology, pharmacology, psychiatry, anthropology, and nursing. Social isolation is most seen in the disabled, those suffering with mental disorders and alcoholism, the divorced and the elderly. Social isolation is also one of the most frequently used nursing diagnosis. Social isolation is defined two ways as it relates to the psychology and sociology disciplines in an article titled Measuring Social Isolation among Older Adults Using Multiple Indicators from the NSHAP Study. Social psycholigical literature define social isolation as a cognitive discrepancy between the actual social relations an individual has and their desired
There is a greater risk of developing a chronic illness when suffering from isolation, as well as an increased risk of depression. Mental health issues already shrink a person’s world, but when paired with existing isolation the problem can be devastating. With isolation and depression comes a decline in cognitive abilities, thus an increased risk of dementia.
As the elder population ages and encounter difficulties in their lives, there are some variations on how they experience their social life. There are some older adults that may limit their social interactions with others, and there are some elders who find support in friends and other companions. However, as people age they tend to have social networks that are smaller than when they were younger (Pallock 2016,Aging Social Support and Media). Furthermore, as people get older they tend to rely more on their neighbors for companionship, and they participate more in their community affairs from volunteering and assisting to church. Research has found that having an interactive life with others can make elders be psychological and physiologically
The ability to support the older people keep up social ties with the use of technical devices such as telephone is vital, and there is indication that older people may benefit from the use of internet as a befriending opportunity (Skingley, 2013). According to Age UK (2009), there is no evidence to effectiveness of services aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation among older people, but concludes that there is a need to focus on befriending services for older people, in particular the effectiveness of such services in terms of their impact on older people’s quality of life and their overall preventive value.
This study investigated the difference between emotional and social loneliness using structural equation modeling, evaluated whether a two-dimensional or unidimensional conception of loneliness provides a better fit to the data. Second, the extent to which positive and negative social exchanges are associated with older adults’ loneliness was examined. Third, they also investigated whether the structure and social-exchange correlates of loneliness differ for currently married versus formerly married older
Another serious effect on lack of relations and participation on human being is mental health. The first issue is about anxiety and irritability. According to Cacioppo and Hawkley (2003) and Yang et al. (2013), social isolation is produces of higher chronic disease, emotional effects and nervous system problems activation that have strong connected with stress. Moreover, the absence of social contacts and social participation can increase stress level and lead to difficult in sleep, negative impact on metabolic, neural and hormonal regulations (Dawkes & Simpkin 2013). This example shows that social isolation adversely affects nervous system which link to anxiousness and crossness. The second issue is depression that is a part of mental disorder. According to Alpass and Neville (2010), lowered effect, decreased activity levels, withdrawals distressing
There are many reasons to why elderly persons can fall at risk of social isolation and loneliness. These factors can range anywhere from