The effects of volunteering on loneliness among lonely older adults: the HEAL-HOA dual randomised controlled trial

The Lancet Healthy Longevity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 100664 - 100664

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Layperson-Delivered Telephone-Based Behavioral Activation Among Low-Income Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

JAMA Network Open, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. e2416767 - e2416767

Published: June 18, 2024

Importance Older adults are particularly vulnerable to loneliness and its physical psychosocial sequelae, but scalable interventions lacking, especially during disasters such as pandemics. Objective To compare the effects of layperson-delivered, telephone-based behavioral activation mindfulness vs befriending on among at-risk older adults. Design, Setting, Participants This assessor-blinded, 3-arm randomized clinical trial screened Chinese through household visits community referrals from April 1, 2021, 30, 2023, in Hong Kong. Eligible participants (≥65 years age) who were lonely, digitally excluded, living alone, below poverty line provided consent participate into activation, mindfulness, groups. Assessments conducted at baseline, 1 month, 3 months. Intervention As part Helping Alleviate Loneliness Kong Adults (HEAL-HOA) dual trial, 148 laypersons trained deliver a twice-weekly 30-minute intervention via telephone for 4 weeks. Main Outcomes Measures The primary outcome was measured by UCLA Scale (range, 20-80) De Jong Gierveld 0-6), with higher scores both scales indicating greater loneliness. Secondary outcomes depression, perceived stress, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, sleep quality, social support, network. Results A total 1151 (mean [SD] age, 76.6 [7.8] years; 843 [73.2%] female) (n = 335), 460) or 356) group. Most widowed divorced (932 [81.0%]), had education (782 [67.9%]), more chronic diseases (505 [43.9%]). Following intention-to-treat principles, linear mixed-effects regression model analyses showed that significantly reduced group difference [MD], −1.96 [95% CI, −3.16 −0.77] points; P < .001]) (MD, −1.49 −2.60 −0.37] .004) months compared befriending. not −0.06 −0.26 0.13] > .99]) 0.22 0.03 0.40] .01) In groups, quality improved befriending, stress increased. Psychological well-being support No statistically significant between-group differences observed Conclusion Relevance this delivered remotely appeared promising reducing later addressing pressing mental health challenges faced aging populations professional geriatric workforce shortages. Further research should explore ways maximize relevance cost-effectiveness these interventions. Trial Registration Clinical Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2300072909

Language: Английский

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The Association Between the Onset and Ending of Volunteering on Loneliness and Perceived Social Isolation Among Older Adults: Longitudinal Evidence From the German Ageing Survey

Brain and Behavior, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Background Existing literature explores the relationship between voluntary work, loneliness, and social isolation, but there is a lack of research on how onset cessation work relate to loneliness isolation among older adults. Many in this population may discontinue volunteering due various life circumstances, making it important investigate longitudinal significance these transitions. This study aims assess whether engaging volunteer during retirement age associated with changes isolation. Methods Longitudinal data were obtained from Waves 5 (Year 2014) 6 2017) German Ageing Survey, focusing middle‐aged The sample size ( n = 6628) was limited those aged 65 above. Two groups analyzed: group, individuals who did not 2014 by 2017 (188 individuals), volunteered (307 individuals). Loneliness assessed using De Jong Gierveld tool, perceived measured Bude Lantermann instrument. Asymmetric linear fixed effects (FE) regression analysis examined associations. Results In an asymmetric FE that adjusted for multitude time‐varying covariates, association shown decreases β −0.07; p 0.04) contrast, no significant Also, or loneliness. Conclusion Our findings suggest adults choose experience decrease self‐reported Further studies are needed confirm our present findings.

Language: Английский

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Strengthening social connections to address loneliness in older adults

The Lancet Healthy Longevity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 100682 - 100682

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Experimental paradigm to test the effects of providing social support: study protocol of the PROSPECT trial (Study 2)

BMC Psychology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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All the Lonely People: An Integrated Review and Research Agenda on Work and Loneliness

Journal of Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Decades of studies spanning multiple disciplines have provided insight into the critical role loneliness in work contexts. In spite this extensive research, a comprehensive review and remains absent. To address gap, we conducted multidisciplinary relevant theory research identified 213 articles reporting on 233 empirical from management, organizational psychology, sociology, medicine, other domains to uncover why people feel lonely, how different features can contribute feelings loneliness, implications employee for settings. This enabled examination distinct conceptualizations operationalizations that been advanced theories underpinning scholarship. We developed conceptual model integrates cognitive discrepancy theory, affect social exchange, evolutionary theory. elucidates core antecedents, mediators, outcomes, moderators, interventions forming nomological network related including cross-level influences within teams among leaders. Our also identifies number promising areas future inquiry improve our understanding measurement process experiencing managing workplace, potential reduce it. Finally, provide tangible guidance organizations practitioners mitigate loneliness. Ultimately, underscores complex nature establishes foundation advancing both scholarly discourse practices domain.

Language: Английский

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Study protocol of the ‘HEAL-HOA’ dual randomized controlled trial: Testing the effects of volunteering on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38, P. 101275 - 101275

Published: Feb. 15, 2024

Interventions to reduce loneliness in older adults usually do not show sustained effects. One potential way combat is offer meaningful social activities. Volunteering has been suggested as one such activity – however, its effects on remain be tested a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This planned Dual-RCT aims recruit experiencing loneliness, with subsequent randomization either volunteering condition (6 weeks of training before delivering three tele-based interventions intervention recipients twice week for 6 months) or an active control (psycho-education gatherings six months). Power analyses require the recruitment N = 256 detect differences between and (128 each) primary outcome (UCLA Loneliness Scale). Secondary outcomes comprise network engagement, perceived support, anxiety depressive symptoms, self-rated health, cognitive stress, sleep quality, diurnal cortisol (1/3 sample). The main will (volunteering vs. no-volunteering) × time (baseline, 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-months follow-ups) interactions test secondary outcomes. Effects are expected mediated via frequency, involvement volunteering. If our can that volunteers telephone-based lonely benefit from volunteer work themselves, this might encourage more volunteer, helping solve some societal issues involved rapid demographic changes.

Language: Английский

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Senescence Seclusion Syndrome: Appraising the Efficacy of Current Interventions

Cureus, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 19, 2024

The proportion of senior citizens in the global population has been on a steady rise, and current is forecasted to double few decades. Against this backdrop, prevalence senescence seclusion syndrome, characterized by prolonged social isolation elderly, increasing concurrently. Given profound threats syndrome poses mental, physical, well-being vulnerable demographic, implementing effective interventions imperative mitigate these enhance quality life. This review aims assess efficacy interventional modalities critically. Studies were reviewed following comprehensive searches databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, focusing empirical studies from 2019 2024 that evaluated major intervention categories - social, technological, psychological, physical interventions. findings indicate initiatives promote consistent engagement, community-organized events structured group activities, significantly reduced loneliness bolstered connections. Furthermore, technological interventions, including artificial intelligence virtual reality, have notably enhanced elderly connectivity with their communities. Additionally, psychological cognitive-behavioral therapy, also alleviating symptoms anxiety depression associated sessions enhancing interaction diminishing isolation. Moreover, involving exercises other activities fostered improvements elderly. study underscores importance multifaceted approach individualized according preference circumstance addressing syndrome.

Language: Английский

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Social isolation, loneliness, and functional disability in Chinese older women and men: a longitudinal cross-lag analysis

BMC Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Nov. 18, 2024

In this study, we explored the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and functional impairment in 50-year-old participants, by sex. Using longitudinal data from China Health Retirement Longitudinal Study (2018 2020), 6,524 participants meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. A cross-lag model was established to explore associations activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL) disability over time, with results stratified Social isolation not significantly associated IADL disability, but loneliness was. Autoregressive indicated that 2018 predicted their exacerbations 2020 (p < 0.001). Cross-lag analysis showed time-lagged effect on greater women (β = 0.27) than men 0.06); 0.16) 0.05). The bidirectional effects opposite patterns sexes. Functional isolation. Sex differences observed disability. These findings extend our understanding association relationships non-Western populations.

Language: Английский

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