Browsing by Subject "social isolation"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Depression and loneliness during April 2020 COVID-19 restrictions in the United States, and their associations with frequency of social and sexual connections
    (Springer, 2021-01) Rosenberg, Molly; Luetke, Maya; Hensel, Devon J.; Kianersi, Sina; Fu, Tsung-chieh; Herbenick, Debby; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of depression and loneliness during the US COVID-19 response, and examine their associations with frequency of social and sexual connections. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of American adults (n = 1010), aged 18–94, running from April 10–20, 2020. We assessed depressive symptoms (CES-D-10 scale), loneliness (UCLA 3-Item Loneliness scale), and frequency of in-person and remote social connections (4 items, e.g., hugging family member, video chats) and sexual connections (4 items, e.g., partnered sexual activity, dating app use). Results: One-third of participants (32%) reported depressive symptoms, and loneliness was high [mean (SD): 4.4 (1.7)]. Those with depressive symptoms were more likely to be women, aged 20–29, unmarried, and low-income. Very frequent in-person connections were generally associated with lower depression and loneliness; frequent remote connections were not. Conclusions: Depression and loneliness were elevated during the early US COVID-19 response. Those who maintained very frequent in-person, but not remote, social and sexual connections had better mental health outcomes. While COVID-19 social restrictions remain necessary, it will be critical to expand mental health services to serve those most at-risk and identify effective ways of maintaining social and sexual connections from a distance.
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    Implementing Aging-in-Place Programming for LGBTQ+ Older Adults: A Doctoral Capstone Project
    (2025-05-08) Gurevitz, Shelley; Wasmuth, Sally; Wasmuth, Sally; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Fogel, Janine
    Out of the eight areas of occupation, social participation is a key pillar of health and wellbeing that can be unaddressed by healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists (OT). Older adults are at significant risk of social isolation and loneliness due to many psychosocial factors; however, older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other identities (LGBTQ+) are at a greater risk of social isolation and loneliness at an alarming rate. Through a doctoral capstone project, the occupational therapy capstone student developed and implemented an eight-week social support group at an Indianapolis Gender Health clinic, with the purpose to facilitate increased social participation and connection amongst LGBTQ+ older adults. Additionally, aging-in-place elements were used as patient education material throughout the group. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale-Revised was utilized as an outcome measure to assess loneliness prior to the support group intervention and following sessions. Qualitative data, such as field notes, were also taken during the last session accompanied by post-group feedback. Responses indicated a moderately high level of loneliness amongst LGBTQ+ older adults who participated in the support group. Additionally, the level of loneliness remained unchanged. This project overall was received positively by group members to foster a sense of identity, inclusivity, and social connection. Additionally, this project adds to the existing LGBTQ+ and gender health programming to support occupational therapy’s role in addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults.
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    The Influence of Social Isolation and Other Risk Factors on Older African Immigrants' Emotional Well-Being
    (2022-08) Adeniji, Dolapo Omolola; Adamek, Margaret; Hong, Michin; Gentle-Genitty, Carolyn; Huber, Lesa
    Social isolation has been documented as a significant challenge for older adults, including those who are immigrants. The conventional wisdom blames social isolation among older immigrant adults on language barriers, living arrangements, and age at migration, however, this does not allow for analytical clarity on how social isolation interacts with other important risk factors to influence emotional well-being among older African immigrants. This study offers an important contribution to the existing knowledge by examining how social isolation and other risk factors interact to impact emotional well-being among older African immigrants. It uses life course theory, acculturation theory, resilience theory, and cumulative risk theory to identify the relevant stressors or risk factors such as living arrangements, financial satisfaction, acculturation predictors, transportation, and grandchild care. A mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in the study. For the collection of quantitative data, 163 participants aged 60 and over completed an online or mailed survey. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the quantitative data. Findings showed that ethnic social relations and living arrangements had a unique contribution to the social isolation of the participants. Also, social isolation, ethnic social relations, and financial satisfaction significantly influenced the emotional well-being of study participants. For the study’s qualitative data, the researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 11 participants, age 63-79, by telephone. Five major themes were generated from the data using a thematic analysis approach, which included (a) minimal social engagement outside of the home, (b) barriers to social engagement, (c) satisfaction with finances, (d) fewer socialization consequences, and (e) coping strategies. The overall finding showed that the participants lacked social engagement outside of the home, which negatively affected their emotional well-being. Implications for social work practice and policy as well as recommendations were emphasized in the study.