Reconfiguring Social Disconnectedness and Its Link to Psychological Well-Being among Older Adults in Rural China

Abstract

Using data from 2015 to 2018 waves of the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China, this study investigated associations between different forms of social disconnectedness (social isolation, loneliness, living alone) and psychological well-being of older adults longitudinally. The results showed that social isolation and loneliness were independently associated with psychological well-being, whereas living alone was not. Different forms of social disconnectedness had additive and interactive effects on psychological well-being of older adults. Those who were exposed to all three forms of social disconnectedness suffered from the lowest level of psychological well-being. Moreover, the adverse effects of social disconnectedness on psychological well-being were found to be stronger for older women than for older men. The results underscore the necessity to consider multiple forms of social disconnectedness as well as their different combinations in explaining psychological well-being in later life.

Physical activity's impact on rural older adult health: The multiple mediating effects of education, income, and psychological capital

“…As a result, rural older adults are a particularly fragile group ( 14 ) with high levels of disability ( 15 ) and caregiving challenges ( 16 ), and about one-third of rural older adults experience depressive symptoms ( 17 ). Rural older adults are also at risk of social isolation ( 18 ), experiencing social disconnectedness ( 19 ). In the context of population aging, exploring the mechanism of health influence on rural older adults can provide for policymaking to improve their health level.…”

Desafíos éticos en la investigación en cuidados con comunidades rurales

“…4 Los indicadores de caracterización socioeconómica en zonas rurales a menudo muestran mayores niveles de pobreza, educación incompleta y condiciones de vivienda precarias en comparación con áreas urbanas, 5,6 además de factores de riesgo como mayor carga de enfermedad y menor acceso a atención médica, apoyo social no familiar y servicios comunitarios. 3,7 Sin embargo, la relación esperada con los indicadores de morbimortalidad es diversa y no siempre coincide con lo observado en ambientes urbanos. 8,9 Otra característica de los contextos rurales es que presentan una mayor proporción y concentración de personas pertenecientes a pueblos indígenas.…”