Internet use, social isolation and loneliness in older adults

Stockwell, Stephanie; Stubbs, Brendon; Jackson, Sarah E; Fisher, Abi; Yang, Lin; Smıth, Lee

doi:10.1017/s0144686x20000550

Cited by 42 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…Overall, internet use was high and frequent in our sample. This is in line with recent research findings (Stockwell et al 2020;Vulpe and Crăciun, 2020) and findings of König et al (2018) and indicates that Belgian older adults are also amongst the most frequent internet users in Europe. The most frequently executed activities were navigating the web, sharing email and online banking, whereas tele-communication, online shopping and consulting e-government services were the least common.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The most frequently used devices by older adults are mobile phones (91-92%), followed by computers (61-86%) and tablets (39%) (Hernández-Encuentra et al 2009;LaMonica et al 2017). A recent study by Stockwell et al (2020) revealed a relationship between use frequency and ICT device, with the higher frequent users more often using smartphones and tablets as compared to less frequent users, who tend to use computers more often. Sharing email, communicating with family members or friends, reading newspapers and online banking are the most frequent internet activities undertaken by older adults (Chang et al 2015;Choi and DiNotto 2013;Hernández-Encuentra et al 2009;König et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet use and cognitive frailty in older adults: a large-scale multidimensional approach

et al. 2022

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Although research on sociodemographic correlates of internet use in older adults without and with pronounced cognitive impairment is already quite extensive, much less is known about the relationship between cognitive frailty (CF) and this behaviour. As CF is associated to multidimensional frailty aspects, this study explored the relationship between internet use and CF, operationalised as Subjective Cognitive Impairment, in older adults by means of a comprehensive explanatory model including sociodemographic factors and multiple frailty measures. The dataset included a sample of community-dwelling 60 + older adults that were included in the Belgian Ageing Studies (BAS) and that completed survey questions on (i) internet use frequency and (ii) internet activities. Multidimensional frailty was measured with the CFAI-Plus. The analysis comprised a structural equation modelling (SEM) procedure. Internet use was frequent; however, it became less frequent with higher CF. Moreover, the latter used less tablets as compared to the no-low CF group. Navigating the web, sharing email and online banking were the most frequently reported activities. Tele-communicating with Skype, online shopping and using e-government services were the least frequent. Age, female gender, lower income and living with a partner were also negatively associated with internet use. To conclude, CF, along with other frailty and sociodemographic factors, was negatively related to internet use in older adults. Future research should focus, amongst others, on the dynamic processes underlying internet use in the population of older adults affected by CF.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Internet use and cognitive frailty in older adults: a large-scale multidimensional approach

et al. 2022

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“…video telemedicine visits) due to inexperience with technology or physical disability. 44 Consistent with prior research 31,45 and likely a function of electronic survey administration, we found high levels (∼85%) of social media engagement, with no increased risk for loneliness. Our findings suggest there is a large segment of the older adult population for whom digital media-based interventions may be effective for mitigating and alleviating loneliness.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Loneliness among older adults in the community during COVID-19

et al. 2020

Preprint

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ObjectivePhysical distancing and stay-at-home measures implemented to slow transmission of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may intensify feelings of loneliness in older adults, especially those living alone. Our aim was to characterize the extent of loneliness in a sample of older adults living in the community and assess characteristics associated with loneliness.DesignOnline cross-sectional survey between May 6 and May 19, 2020SettingOntario, CanadaParticipantsConvenience sample of the members of a national retired educators’ organization.Primary outcome measuresSelf-reported loneliness, including differences between women and men.Results4879 respondents (71.0% women; 67.4% 65-79 years) reported that in the preceding week, 43.1% felt lonely at least some of the time, including 8.3% that felt lonely always or often. Women had increased odds of loneliness compared to men, whether living alone (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.52 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.13-2.04]) or with others (2.44 [95% CI 2.04-2.92]). Increasing age group decreased the odds of loneliness (aOR 0.69 [95% CI 0.59-0.81] 65-79 years and 0.50 [95% CI 0.39-0.65] 80+ years compared to <65 years). Living alone was associated with loneliness, with a greater association in men (aOR 4.26 [95% CI 3.15-5.76]) than women (aOR 2.65 [95% CI 2.26-3.11]). Other factors associated with loneliness included: fair or poor health (aOR 1.93 [95% CI 1.54-2.41]), being a caregiver (aOR 1.18 [95% CI 1.02-1.37]), receiving care (aOR 1.47 [95% CI 1.19-1.81]), high concern for the pandemic (aOR 1.55 [95% CI 1.31-1.84]), not experiencing positive effects of pandemic distancing measures (aOR 1.94 [95% CI 1.62-2.32]), and changes to daily routine (aOR 2.81 [95% CI 1.96-4.03]).ConclusionsWhile many older adults reported feeling lonely during COVID-19, several characteristics – such as being female and living alone – increased the odds of loneliness. These characteristics may help identify priorities for targeting interventions to reduce loneliness.Strengths and limitations of this studyThis survey study leveraged a strong community-based partnership to obtain timely data from a large sample of older Canadians on the impacts of COVID-19.This study identified several characteristics that increased the odds of loneliness, which may help to identify priorities for targeted interventions to reduce loneliness.The data were based on a convenience sample of retired, educational staff, who are not fully representative of the Canadian population. The perspectives of vulnerable groups who may be at greater risk for loneliness (e.g. those with severe mental health illness, low income, no home internet access, etc.) are likely underrepresented in this sample.

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“…Social isolation was also adjusted for using a previously used ELSA approach [ 18 , 22 , 23 ] whereby one point was allocated for each of the following: living alone, having less than monthly contact with each of children, other members of the family and friends [in person/ telephone], and not being a member of organisations. Scores were summed to provide a social isolation index ranging from 0 to 5, which was then dichotomised, as in previous investigations, to distinguish between low [< 2] and high [≥ 2] levels of social isolation [ 18 , 22 , 23 ]. For the current analysis isolation data from waves 4 to 8 was included.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between parental bonding, social isolation and loneliness: do associations persist in later life and is isolation a mediator between parental bonding and loneliness?

2022

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Background Poor parental bonding in childhood has been associated with loneliness in younger populations. Whether these associations persists into middle and older adulthood is unclear. Additionally, given the overlapping relationship between loneliness and social isolation we sought to explore the role of social isolation in any associations present i.e. are those reporting worse parental bonding lonely due to less connections or are they more likely to be lonely regardless of isolation. Methods Analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal sample of adults aged 50 and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing was undertaken. The current analysis was based on data for core participants across waves 3[2006/7] to 8[2016/17] with missing data across waves leading to analytical samples ranging from 4384 to 5173. Multivariate adjusted multinomial regression models were used to assess associations between parental bonding [PBI], isolation [score derived from data on living alone, frequency of contact with friends, family and children, and whether or not participate in social organisations] and loneliness [R-UCLA]. Results Parental bonding scores were associated with later life loneliness according to overall PBI score [RRR .93 95%CI .92-.95], care [RRR .90 95%CI .88-.92] and overprotection [RRR 1.11 95%CI 1.08–1.14] subscale scores as well as when separated into maternal and paternal scores, with effects larger in relation to chronic loneliness. Parental bonding scores were also associated with isolation in later life, with the exception of maternal overprotection which was non-significant. The addition of isolation to the loneliness models however had no impact on associations indicating that isolation is not a mediator of the association between parental bonding and later life loneliness. Conclusions Associations between parental bonding and loneliness do persist into middle and older adulthood and were in line with hypothesis stronger for more chronic loneliness. Isolation did not explain these associations and those reporting more negative parental bonds were more likely to be lonely regardless of isolation.

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Internet use, social isolation and loneliness in older adults

Cited by 42 publications

References 84 publications

Internet use and cognitive frailty in older adults: a large-scale multidimensional approach

Internet use and cognitive frailty in older adults: a large-scale multidimensional approach

Loneliness among older adults in the community during COVID-19

Associations between parental bonding, social isolation and loneliness: do associations persist in later life and is isolation a mediator between parental bonding and loneliness?

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