Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

Koning, Jolanthe De; Richards, Suzanne H; Wood, Grace; Stathi, Afroditi

doi:10.3390/ijerph18083971

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…This study showed that social isolation is increasing in rural contexts because of social changes, as shown in previous studies from different perspectives [29,30]. Rural settings often lack employment opportunities and stimulating environments, which leads to the migration of young people from rural areas [31].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Establishment of a sustainable connection between citizens and medical professionals in rural communities: A thematic analysis

Ohta,

Yakabe,

Sano

2023

Preprint

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Background A trustworthy relationship between medical institutions and people is important for effective community care. Dialogue between medical professionals and people has been lost owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To improve community care, dialogue among rural people regarding mutual help and connections to healthcare is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the health problems caused by social isolation and their solutions in rural contexts through interviews with community workers in rural communities. Methods This qualitative study used thematic analysis of community workers in rural communities to investigate the health problems caused by social isolation and their solutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among participants using purposive sampling. In total, 57 community workers participated in this study. Results Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: social changes due to aging, relational changes in communities, community-specific networking, and connections driving community health. Social changes due to aging that cause social isolation include the dilution of human relationships, lack of diverse generations, and distance to medical care facilities. Relational changes in communities were explained by excessive consideration of privacy, lack of intimacy with one’s surroundings, and hesitance to depend on others. Rural communities have specific networking strategies, such as involvement of people well known in communities, localization of community information, and specific lay care in communities. For the sustainability of rural healthcare, solving social isolation issues through connections driving community health, including respect for community culture, smooth collaboration with healthcare providers, and active engagement of physicians, are demanded. Conclusions Challenges to the sustainability of rural communities were caused by the social and relational changes that led to social isolation. Excessive consideration of privacy and lack of intimacy with one’s surroundings caused hesitance to depend on others. Moreover, social and relational changes in rural communities have increased the number and variation of health issues, and previous support systems cannot deal with the present changes. Established community cultures should be respected to ensure the sustainability of rural healthcare. Relationships between rural communities and medical institutions for health promotion must be established, for which friendly and open-minded engagement of physicians is required.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Establishment of a sustainable connection between citizens and medical professionals in rural communities: A thematic analysis

Ohta,

Yakabe,

Sano

2023

Preprint

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“…However, we also found that a significant association between social support and loneliness, implying that people experiencing loneliness perceive less social support from society. As studies have suggested, more multifactorial interventions can solve loneliness [32,35], although, from a global perspective, cultural differences can complicate the causes of and solutions for loneliness [36,37]. People with loneliness need both social support as well as meaningful roles to fulfill, to manage their lives [38,39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural Social Participation through Osekkai during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ohta¹,

Yata²,

Arakawa

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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We investigated the effects of enabling Osekkai, the traditional Japanese behavior of creating a helping culture, on social participation among rural people in rebuilding social connections that can be vital during the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were people interested in the Osekkai conference (control group) and those actively involved in Osekkai activities (exposure group). The primary outcome of social participation was measured as the frequency of meeting and the number of friends or acquaintances. The demographic data of the participants and process outcomes were measured using a questionnaire provided to all 287 registered participants. The effective response rate was 64.5% (185 responses). The involvement in Osekkai conferences was statistically associated with a high frequency and number of meetings with friends or acquaintances (p < 0.001 and 0.048, respectively). A health check was significantly associated with the number of friends or acquaintances met in the previous month, while high social support was significantly associated with loneliness. Thus, we confirm that Osekkai contributes to high social participation, although we see no relationship with loneliness. Future studies should investigate this cause-and-effect relationship and promote culturally sensitive activities to improve social and health outcomes in rural Japan.

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“…These activities include participating in sports ( 31 ), community events and meetings ( 54 ). De Koning et al ( 33 ) noted that physical activity can play role in developing new social contacts. In their study, older adult participants in the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) group reported several more sources of social contact compared to those with low physical activity group.…”

Section: Theme 1 Development Of Social Network For Older Adults In Ru...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Coffee et al ( 34 ) viewed increasing social networks in the community as a strategy to cope with loneliness of older adults in rural areas. From their study, De Koning et al ( 33 ) posit that being socially active helps in staying mentally well. There is evidence that any opportunity for social interaction would help reduce loneliness among older adults ( 87 ).…”

Section: Theme 2 Social Network and Their Impacts On Loneliness Of Ol...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It appears that social networks have been defined and studied in various ways, such as using the term social network ( 30 ) but also other related terms like social capital ( 31 , 32 ), social connections ( 33 ), social support ( 34 , 35 ) etc. However, core dimensions of these definitions convey meanings of social connectedness of an individual and receiving social and psychological support from these contacts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review

Hussain

Mirza

Baines

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionLoneliness has significant impacts on the health of older adults. Social networks help to improve psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among older adults. A fifth of older adults live in rural communities, where geographic isolation poses challenges to health. The dynamics of social networks of older adults in rural communities has not been explored.ObjectiveTo synthesize the literature related to loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural settings.MethodsA mixed-methods systematic review was conducted through searching six bibliographic databases to retrieve peer-reviewed literature with no time limits. We performed a methodological assessment of each study using a mixed method quality assessment tool. Findings are synthesized thematically.ResultsA total of 50 studies (32 quantitative, 15 qualitative, and 3 mixed methods) were included in this review. Studies were conducted in 17 different countries, the majority from China (n = 12), the UK (n = 9), and USA (n = 9). Findings revealed that social networks of older adults consist of family, friends and neighbors and continue to be developed through participation in various physical and social activities such as walking groups and participation in religious events. Social networks offer informational, functional, psychological and social support to older adults. Through their social networks, older adults feel socially connected and cared for. Successful interventions to improve social networks and address loneliness were those developed in groups or one-on-one with the older adults. The key ingredient to the positive impact of these interventions on reducing social isolation and loneliness was the formation of a social connection and regular engagement with the older adults. However, the review did not find any explicitly reported theory or model on which these interventions are based.ConclusionThe prevalence of loneliness among older adults in rural areas needs urgent attention. Social network theory and methods can help in developing interventions to address social isolation and loneliness among older adults in rural communities.

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Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

Cited by 9 publications

References 61 publications

Establishment of a sustainable connection between citizens and medical professionals in rural communities: A thematic analysis

Establishment of a sustainable connection between citizens and medical professionals in rural communities: A thematic analysis

Rural Social Participation through Osekkai during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review

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