Browsing by Subject "Social isolation"
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Item Combating Social Isolation among Older Immigrant Adults: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis(Oxford University Press, 2021-12-17) Miller, Vivian; Tonui, Betty; Adeniji, Dolapo; School of Social WorkOlder immigrants totaled 7.3 million in 2018, representing 13.9 percent of the population of seniors in the U.S. While this population is found to contribute significantly to society, along with new opportunities comes circumstantial challenges. Of these, one of the most salient issues for foreign-born older adults is social isolation. Additionally, this population may be at an increased risk for social isolation with poor mental health because migrating to a new country might results in resettlement challenges. Despite these concerns, less is known about the consequences of social isolation among older immigrant adults. Guided by the Population Interest Context (PICO) framework and the Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) guidelines, this study seeks to explore consequences of social isolation among older immigrant, as well as interventions to combat isolation. The final sample of six full text articles were published between 2011 and 2021, totaling 180 participants with ages ranging from 61 to 93 years old. Findings from the study indicated that older immigrants are at risk of social isolation and loneliness because they have fewer social connections due to leaving behind their familiar social group in the home country, encounter linguistic challenges that negatively contribute to greater social isolation and poor mental health. Despite these difficulties older immigrants reported various social interventions, i.e., access to senior centers, community programs and services to be of greater importance in building social networks. Authors discuss opportunities for future research, such as exploring evidence-based studies on interventions for social isolation and loneliness of older immigrant populations.Item Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote Social Participation and Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Rapid Systematic Review(2021-05-05) Adams, Alexa; Horsford, Caitlin; Jones, Paige; Long, Ryane; Pflugradt, Dana; Chase, Anthony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human SciencesThis systematic review discusses the evidence of 24 studies to identify the effectiveness of various evidence-based interventions that could be utilized within the scope of occupational therapy (OT), as they aim to improve social participation and health related quality of life in adults over 60 years of age. Older adults often experience difficulty with social engagement, increasing their risk for social isolation which is correlated to decreases in health-related quality of life, functional mobility, as well as increased loneliness, cognitive declines, or other adverse physical and psychological effects. Social participation can facilitate increased health-related quality of life, mitigate loneliness, as well as slow cognitive decline and other adverse physical and psychological effects related to aging and late life transitions. Overall, this review found strong evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity interventions, moderate evidence for the effectiveness of emotional and personal based interventions, and mixed evidence for external support interventions that aim to improve social participation in older adults. Additional research should be conducted to further identify objective aspects (rather than typical subjective aspects) of evidence-based interventions that clinically correlate to increased health-related quality of life and well-being as related to social participation for therapeutic utilization within the domain of occupational therapy for older adults.Item Effects of Social Isolation on the Well-Being and Coping Mechanisms of Older Adults in Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia(Oxford University Press, 2024-12-31) Kotecho, Messay; Kassay, Abraham; Adamek, Margaret; School of Social WorkResearch concerning older adults is gaining attention in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, previous research has disregarded the issue of social isolation among elders in Ethiopia. The prevalence of social isolation among older adults is now a significant concern worldwide due to its impact on both individuals and society at large. This study examined how social isolation affects the well-being of older adults and their coping mechanisms, focusing specifically on the experiences of older adults in Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia. A phenomenological approach was used to investigate the experiences of 10 older adults (5 male and 5 female) aged 60 and above, purposefully selected for in-depth interviews and observations. The results indicate that participants are increasingly susceptible to social isolation due to factors such as negative perceptions of aging, loss of meaningful relationships, economic hardships, and age-related health issues. Consequently, elders experience a reduction in social connections, health issues, psychological distress, and challenges in meeting basic needs. Despite these obstacles, older adults have developed various coping strategies, including engaging in prayer and spiritual practices, depending on intergenerational support, participating in traditional savings associations (Idir), and sleeping excessively. Nonetheless, many participants express feelings of pessimism, weakness, lack of affection, and a sense of worthlessness about their future. Additionally, participants report facing disengagement and a loss of social ties alongside grappling with severe poverty and inadequate access to healthcare services. The study underscores the urgent need to bolster intergenerational solidarity and social capital within the community to tackle the multifaceted challenges confronting older adults in Ethiopia.Item Findings from a Peer-Facilitated, Social Isolation Intervention in the Veterans Health Administration Healthcare System: A Mixed-Methods, Pilot Feasibility Study(Springer, 2023) Eliacin, Johanne; Patterson, Scott M.; Mendez, Diana M.; Burgess, Diana J.; Traylor, Morgan H.; Borden, Maria Y.; Slaven, James E.; Matthias, Marianne S.; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: Social isolation is a global public health threat. Veterans are particularly at risk for social isolation due to high rates of comorbid physical and mental health problems. Yet, effective interventions are limited. Objectives: Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of CONNECTED, a novel, transdiagnostic intervention to reduce social isolation that includes individual and group components and is delivered by peers via telehealth. Secondary objectives were to identify appropriate outcome measures and explore preliminary intervention effects. Methods: This was a two-phase study. In Phase 1, to evaluate study feasibility, we surveyed 200 veterans to assess prevalence of social isolation and their interest in social connectedness interventions. In Phase 2, we employed a mixed-methods, pre-post study design in which we piloted CONNECTED with 19 veterans through 2 successive cohorts to further assess feasibility, to evaluate acceptability, and to explore preliminary effectiveness. Quantitative analyses involved descriptive and bivariate analyses as well as multivariate modeling. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: For Phase 1, 39% of veterans surveyed were socially isolated. Participants who were ≤ 55 years old, caregivers, and those who experienced unmet social needs were more likely to report social isolation. Over 61% expressed interest in VA programs to reduce social isolation. For Phase 2, the pilot intervention, recruitment rate was 88% and the enrollment rate was 86%. Retention rates for the two cohorts were 80% and 50%, respectively, and satisfaction rates among intervention completers were 100%. Results also showed statistically significant improvements in social isolation (+ 5.91, SD = 4.99; p = .0028), social support (+ 0.74, SD = 1.09; p = .03), anxiety (-3.92, SD = 3.73; p = .003), and depression (-3.83, SD = 3.13; p = .001). Results for the other measures were not statistically significant. Conclusion: CONNECTED is a feasible and acceptable intervention and is likely to be an effective tool to intervene on social isolation among veterans.Item I have to cope with it: The voices of older African immigrants experiencing social isolation and loneliness in the US(Oxford University Press, 2022-12-20) Adeniji , Dolapo; Ashirifi, Gifty; School of Social WorkSocial isolation and loneliness have been recognized as significant challenges in the world of older adults. For older African immigrants living with their families in the US, researchers have captured factors such as language barriers, cultural differences, and limited access to transportation to contribute their feelings of social isolation and loneliness. However, little is known about how they cope with these challenges. As the population of older African immigrants continues to increase in the US, it is pertinent to expand knowledge about their experiences for the purposes of social work practice and policy development. Using a qualitative approach, this study recruited and conducted in-depth interviews with 11 participants aged 63 -79. Four themes emerged from the data through a thematic analysis approach which includes a) Positive Self-talk: “I have to cope with it”, b) Technology/Social media: "if I cannot interact physically outside, then, I go through the social media”/Watch TV”, c) Intergenerational social engagement beyond caregiving: "They [grandchildren] are my immediate constituency”, and d) Digging deep through faith. Although the result of this study shows that older Africans immigrants are finding strategies to cope with social isolation and loneliness further support is needed specially to strengthen their coping skills and enhance their social network with people outside of their families.Item Informing practice and sabotaging membership growth: an ideological rhetorical analysis of discursive materials from Kiwanis International(2015-08) Stokes, Tonja LaFaye; Dobris, Catherine A.; Parrish-Sprowl, John; Goering, Elizabeth M.This study utilizes an ideological rhetorical analysis, applying Marxist and Feminist lenses, to artifacts from Kiwanis International, a prominent global service organization. These artifacts are: "The Permanent Objects of Kiwanis," guiding principles that were codified in 1924; "The Man Who Was God": a brief story about transforming from Kiwanis member to "Kiwanian," published in 1935 and 1985, respectively; and the 2012 "Join the Club" Membership Brochure. The rhetoric of discursive materials is one of the most salient representations of group ideology. In turn, ideology, particularly when it reflects and perpetuates social hegemony, has a normalizing effect on itself. Ideology shapes identity; identity shapes strategies to set process norms that create social cohesion. Norms of social cohesion become culture; culture reinforces ideology. When these components mirror social hegemony and replicate hegemonic power, they create institutions, like service organizations; these institutions then legitimate and normalize positions of social privilege. Ultimately, ideology and social hegemony reveal themselves through organizational and member practices and organizationally-produced discursive material. The purpose of this study is to analyze the historical, socio-political, and socio-cultural roots of Kiwanis International in order to draw logical conclusions about the organization's ideology for the purposes of understanding how that ideology contributes to, justifies, and perpetuates an unconscious, neo-colonial view of philanthropy. Kiwanis International, on an organizational (macro) level and at the club/member (micro) level, is structured around positions of racial, ethnic, socio-economic, linguistic, gender, and religious privilege, and so mimics the hegemonic power centers and dominant ideologies of society at large. In turn, the products and practices of the organization reflect these positions of privilege and inhibits the organization's ability to attract traditionally excluded, disenfranchised, or under-represented groups. Understanding that it is a contentious and futile to simply point where power relations exist and assert themselves, this study emphasizes where "othering" occurs in hopes of mitigating relations of domination and oppression between Kiwanis members and perspective members, and of moving forward the interests of those who have not traditionally been counted among Kiwanis' members but whose presence could save the organization.Item Personality and Ostracism: Do Hope, Optimism, and Forgiveness Moderate the Effects of Social Exclusion?(2012-03-20) Johnson, Courtney Beth; Rand, Kevin L.; Stewart, Jesse C.; Poulsen, JoanThis study examined effects of ostracism on psychological well-being and self-control and the roles of the personality traits hope, optimism, and forgiveness as moderators of these effects. Undergraduate students (N=104) were randomly assigned to be included or excluded in a computerized ball-toss game, Cyberball. Facets of psychological well-being examined included belonging and self-esteem. Participants also completed cognitive and physical self-control measures via tracing and handgrip tasks. Ostracized participants experienced less belonging, but there was no significant difference between groups on self-esteem. Ostracized participants persisted for less time on the tracing task. There were no significant differences between groups for performance on the handgrip task. None of the personality traits were found to moderate the effects of ostracism on psychological well-being or self-control. Results are discussed in terms of implications and recommendations for future researchers.Item Polyphenic risk score shows robust predictive ability for long-term future suicidality(Springer, 2022) Cheng, M.; Roseberry, K.; Choi, Y.; Quast, L.; Gaines, M.; Sandusky, G.; Kline, J.A.; Bogdan, P.; Niculescu, A.B.; Psychiatry, School of MedicineSuicides are preventable tragedies, if risk factors are tracked and mitigated. We had previously developed a new quantitative suicidality risk assessment instrument (Convergent Functional Information for Suicidality, CFI-S), which is in essence a simple polyphenic risk score, and deployed it in a busy urban hospital Emergency Department, in a naturalistic cohort of consecutive patients. We report a four years follow-up of that population (n = 482). Overall, the single administration of the CFI-S was significantly predictive of suicidality over the ensuing 4 years (occurrence- ROC AUC 80%, severity- Pearson correlation 0.44, imminence-Cox regression Hazard Ratio 1.33). The best predictive single phenes (phenotypic items) were feeling useless (not needed), a past history of suicidality, and social isolation. We next used machine learning approaches to enhance the predictive ability of CFI-S. We divided the population into a discovery cohort (n = 255) and testing cohort (n = 227), and developed a deep neural network algorithm that showed increased accuracy for predicting risk of future suicidality (increasing the ROC AUC from 80 to 90%), as well as a similarity network classifier for visualizing patient’s risk. We propose that the widespread use of CFI-S for screening purposes, with or without machine learning enhancements, can boost suicidality prevention efforts. This study also identified as top risk factors for suicidality addressable social determinants.Item Polyphenic risk score shows robust predictive ability for long-term future suicidality(Discover Mental Health, 2022-06-13) Cheng, M; Roseberry, Kyle; Choi, Y; Quast, L; Gaines, Madelynn; Sandusky, George; Kline, JA; Bogdan, Paul; Niculescu, AlexanderSuicides are preventable tragedies, if risk factors are tracked and mitigated. We had previously developed a new quantitative suicidality risk assessment instrument (Convergent Functional Information for Suicidality, CFI-S), which is in essence a simple polyphenic risk score, and deployed it in a busy urban hospital Emergency Department, in a naturalistic cohort of consecutive patients. We report a four years follow-up of that population (n = 482). Overall, the single administration of the CFI-S was significantly predictive of suicidality over the ensuing 4 years (occurrence- ROC AUC 80%, severity- Pearson correlation 0.44, imminence-Cox regression Hazard Ratio 1.33). The best predictive single phenes (phenotypic items) were feeling useless (not needed), a past history of suicidality, and social isolation. We next used machine learning approaches to enhance the predictive ability of CFI-S. We divided the population into a discovery cohort (n = 255) and testing cohort (n = 227), and developed a deep neural network algorithm that showed increased accuracy for predicting risk of future suicidality (increasing the ROC AUC from 80 to 90%), as well as a similarity network classifier for visualizing patient's risk. We propose that the widespread use of CFI-S for screening purposes, with or without machine learning enhancements, can boost suicidality prevention efforts. This study also identified as top risk factors for suicidality addressable social determinants.Item Potential role of hippocampal neurogenesis in spinal cord injury induced post-trauma depression(Wolters Kluwer, 2024) Ma, Ying; Qiao, Yue; Gao, Xiang; Neurological Surgery, School of MedicineIt has been reported both in clinic and rodent models that beyond spinal cord injury directly induced symptoms, such as paralysis, neuropathic pain, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and loss of sexual function, there are a variety of secondary complications, including memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. The large-scale longitudinal population-based studies indicate that post-trauma depression is highly prevalent in spinal cord injury patients. Yet, few basic studies have been conducted to address the potential molecular mechanisms. One of possible factors underlying the depression is the reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis which may come from less physical activity, social isolation, chronic pain, and elevated neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury. However, there is no clear consensus yet. In this review, we will first summarize the alteration of hippocampal neurogenesis post-spinal cord injury. Then, we will discuss possible mechanisms underlie this important spinal cord injury consequence. Finally, we will outline the potential therapeutic options aimed at enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis to ameliorate depression.