Older Adults, Rural Living, and the Escalating Risk of Social Isolation

Kaye, Lenard W.

doi:10.1093/ppar/prx029

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…While social isolation has been linked to the risk of morbidity and mortality (Laugesen et al, 2018), however, it has most commonly been associated with mental health-related issues, particularly among older adults (Gerino et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2017). According to the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, social isolation is a major problem of special concern for older people (Kaye, 2017). Although there are lots of older people in China, only a few studies have investigated how social isolation impacts their mental health, concluding that social isolation is linked to mental health, and the links are independent of loneliness (Wu and Sheng, 2020;Yu et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Social Isolation to Enhance Mental Health among Older Adults in China: A Mediation Analysis of Aging Attitude

2021

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A large body of literature has examined the relationship between social isolation and mental health in older adults. However, only a few studies have examined the mediating effects of aging attitudes on this relationship. This study investigated the impact of objective isolation (family isolation, friend isolation, and community isolation), and subjective social isolation (perceived isolation) on the mental health of Chinese older adults, and the mediating effect of aging attitudes. Mental health was assessed through depressive symptoms, using the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The research sample comprising 7,024 elderly adults (60 years old), was obtained from the nationally representative 2014 Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. The regression analysis indicated that objective social isolation and subjective social isolation are independently related to mental health among older adults. Furthermore, in the mediation analysis, aging attitude was found to play a significant mediating role between social isolation and mental health. Our study concludes that though, objective and subjective social isolation are issues affecting mental health in older people, however, aging attitude also needs to be factored in that relationship as we have shown that there is a significant mediating effect.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Social Isolation to Enhance Mental Health among Older Adults in China: A Mediation Analysis of Aging Attitude

2021

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“…Older age groups were also less likely to trust health information from social support forums but more likely to trust health information from Facebook. These age disparities have been attributed to older adults’ unique health needs as compared to younger adults [ 29 , 30 ], including specialized health information related to chronic disease [ 31 - 33 ], the potential risk for social isolation [ 34 , 35 ], and physical and cognitive limitations that are due to the natural aging process [ 36 ]. The generational differences in information seeking behaviors in the non-health context have also been highlighted in the literature to show that Millennials and Baby Boomers consult different informational sources [ 37 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronic Health Literacy Across the Lifespan: Measurement Invariance Study

Paige¹,

Miller²,

Krieger³

et al. 2018

J Med Internet Res

109

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BackgroundElectronic health (eHealth) information is ingrained in the healthcare experience to engage patients across the lifespan. Both eHealth accessibility and optimization are influenced by lifespan development, as older adults experience greater challenges accessing and using eHealth tools as compared to their younger counterparts. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) is the most popular measure used to assess patient confidence locating, understanding, evaluating, and acting upon online health information. Currently, however, the factor structure of the eHEALS across discrete age groups is not well understood, which limits its usefulness as a measure of eHealth literacy across the lifespan.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the structure of eHEALS scores and the degree of measurement invariance among US adults representing the following generations: Millennials (18-35-year-olds), Generation X (36-51-year-olds), Baby Boomers (52-70-year-olds), and the Silent Generation (71-84-year-olds).MethodsMillennials (N=281, mean 26.64 years, SD 5.14), Generation X (N=164, mean 42.97 years, SD 5.01), and Baby Boomers/Silent Generation (N=384, mean 62.80 years, SD 6.66) members completed the eHEALS. The 3-factor (root mean square error of approximation, RMSEA=.06, comparative fit index, CFI=.99, Tucker-Lewis index, TLI=.98) and 4-factor (RMSEA=.06, CFI=.99, TLI=.98) models showed the best global fit, as compared to the 1- and 2-factor models. However, the 4-factor model did not have statistically significant factor loadings on the 4th factor, which led to the acceptance of the 3-factor eHEALS model. The 3-factor model included eHealth Information Awareness, Search, and Engagement. Pattern invariance for this 3-factor structure was supported with acceptable model fit (RMSEA=.07, Δχ2=P>.05, ΔCFI=0). Compared to Millennials and members of Generation X, those in the Baby Boomer and Silent Generations reported less confidence in their awareness of eHealth resources (P<.001), information seeking skills (P=.003), and ability to evaluate and act on health information found on the Internet (P<.001).ResultsYoung (18-48-year olds, N=411) and old (49-84-year olds, N=419) adults completed the survey. A 3-factor model had the best fit (RMSEA=.06, CFI=.99, TLI=.98), as compared to the 1-factor, 2-factor, and 4-factor models. These 3-factors included eHealth Information Awareness (2 items), Information Seeking (2 items), and Information and Evaluation (4 items). Pattern invariance was supported with the acceptable model fit (RMSEA=.06, Δχ2=P>.05, ΔCFI=0). Compared with younger adults, older adults had less confidence in eHealth resource awareness (P<.001), information seeking skills (P<.01), and ability to evaluate and act upon online health information (P<.001).ConclusionsThe eHEALS can be used to assess, monitor uniquely, and evaluate Internet users’ awareness of eHealth resources, information seeking skills, and engagement abilities. Configural and pattern invariance was observed across all generation groups in the 3-fa...

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“…Social distancing and self-isolation public health measures have created barriers to older people's participation and inclusion in voluntary activities (Armitage & Nellums, 2020;Henning-Smith, 2020;Miller, 2020;Monahan, Macdonald, Lytle, Apriceno, & Levy, 2020;Tyrell & Williams, 2020). Rural older adults are at higher risk of social and physical isolation than their urban counterparts because of more dispersed rural settlement patterns, outmigration of younger cohorts (e.g., family members living further afield) and the higher likelihood of living alone (Kaye, 2017). To support these challenges, rural volunteer-based programs offer both support for isolated rural residents as well as opportunities for participation and social networking through volunteering (Warburton, 2015;Warburton & Winterton, 2017).…”

Section: Rural Aging Voluntarism and The Covid-19 Global Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural Aging during COVID-19: A Case Study of Older Voluntarism

Colibaba

Skinner²,

Russell

2021

Can. J. Aging

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During large-scale crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the precarity of older people and older volunteers can become exacerbated, especially in under-serviced rural regions and small towns. To understand how the pandemic has affected “older voluntarism”, this article presents a case study of three volunteer-based programs in rural Ontario, Canada. Interviews with 34 volunteers and administrators reveal both challenging and growth-oriented experiences of volunteers and the programs during the first wave of COVID-19. The findings demonstrate the vulnerability and resiliency of older volunteers and the adaptability and uncertainty of programs that rely on older voluntarism, as the community and its older residents navigate pandemic-related changes. The article advances a framework for understanding the pandemic’s impacts on older voluntarism in relation to personal, program, and community dimensions of sustainable rural aging. Further, it explores ways that older volunteers, organizations that depend on them, and communities experiencing population aging can persevere post-pandemic.

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Older Adults, Rural Living, and the Escalating Risk of Social Isolation

Cited by 17 publications

References 12 publications

Decreasing Social Isolation to Enhance Mental Health among Older Adults in China: A Mediation Analysis of Aging Attitude

Decreasing Social Isolation to Enhance Mental Health among Older Adults in China: A Mediation Analysis of Aging Attitude

Electronic Health Literacy Across the Lifespan: Measurement Invariance Study

Rural Aging during COVID-19: A Case Study of Older Voluntarism

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