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Social Intervention For Depression And Social Isolation

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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

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