A systematic review of self-neglect and its risk factors among community-dwelling older adults

Understanding professionals’ perspectives and experiences of elder self‐neglect: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies

“…Although isolation in ESN was a common theme agreed upon by the professionals, conflicting views on whether isolation was a consequence of personal choice or a circumstance of poor relationships and finances imply that isolation in ESN cannot be conceptualized as exclusively self‐determined or imposed but rather a multifactorial consequence of personal and social experiences. Being established as a factor associated with ESN (Mauk, 2011; Yu et al, 2020), research efforts have been made to explain the possible accounts for social isolation of older adults who self‐neglect (Bozinovski, 2000; Day et al, 2013; Johnson, 2015). Socioemotional selectivity theory holds that older people are focused more on activities and relationships that bring them joy, rather than forming new social ties (Johnson, 2015; Löckenhoff & Carstensen, 2004).…”

“…Dementia and depression were two main factors believed by professionals to contribute to ESN. While numerous cross‐sectional studies in the literature have identified an association between ESN and depression and dementia (Dong & Simon, 2016; Lee & Kim, 2014; Yu et al, 2019, 2020), it must be noted that cognitive impairment and mental health issues are not preconditions for ESN. Older adults who self‐neglect may not necessarily have a diagnosis of dementia or depression, even though they may have manifestations.…”

“…Interest in self‐neglect among older adults in both social policy and academic research has been mounting over the last two decades (McDermott, 2010). According to a recently published systematic review (Yu et al, 2020), the prevalence rate of self‐neglect among older populations ranges from 18.4% to 29.1%, making this a common phenomenon. Though elder self‐neglect (ESN) research has been gaining traction, a universally accepted definition of ESN is yet to be determined (Pavlou & Lachs, 2006).…”

“…ESN generally shows varied presentations along a continuum of severity and can present with a lack of sanitary living environments, poor personal hygiene, and nonadherence to treatment regimens by older adults (Mosqueda & Dong, 2011; Papaioannou et al, 2012). These presentations of ESN mimic behaviors of self‐care deficit and can result in a series of personal, medical, and social consequences (Yu et al, 2020). Issues with compromised safety, frequent hospitalizations and greater healthcare costs, increased mortality, and amplified lifetime suicidal ideations have been detailed (Dong et al, 2009, 2012, 2017; Franzini & Dyer, 2008; Papaioannou et al, 2012).…”

Mediating Role of Psychological Capital in the Relationship Between Social Support and Self-Neglect Among Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…The Chinese population is aging at an unprecedented pace, and older population aged over 65 years will reach 336 million by 2050, accounting for one-third of the total Chinese population ( National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2017 ; Zhong et al, 2018 ). Alongside the increased aging population, self-neglect is becoming a prominent problem that challenges healthy aging ( Cipriani et al, 2021 ; Yu et al, 2021 ).…”