Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications

World Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 23(3), P. 312 - 332

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Rising concerns about social isolation and loneliness globally have highlighted the need for a greater understanding of their mental physical health implications. Robust evidence documents connection factors as independent predictors health, with some strongest on mortality. Although most data are observational, points to directionality effects, plausible pathways, in cases causal link between later outcomes. Societal trends across several indicators reveal increasing rates those who lack connection, significant portion population reporting loneliness. The scientific study has substantially extended over past two decades, particularly since 2020; however, its relevance mortality remains underappreciated by public. Despite breadth evidence, challenges remain, including common language reconcile diverse relevant terms disciplines, consistent multi‐factorial measurement assess risk, effective solutions prevent mitigate risk. urgency future is underscored potentially longer‐term consequences COVID‐19 pandemic, role digital technologies societal shifts, that could contribute further declines social, health. To reverse these meet challenges, recommendations offered more comprehensively address gaps our understanding, foster

Language: Английский

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Factors Influencing Intention to Technological Use in Older Adults. The TAM Model Aplication

Research on Aging, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 44(7-8), P. 573 - 588

Published: Dec. 28, 2021

The use of digital technology by older adults has improved in recent years response to the need for their functional adaptation an increasingly technological social context. Understanding this type recently become important field inquiry both and gerontological studies. Working within framework, aim study is identify main determinants that influence intention people daily lives, using Technological Acceptance Model. A was carried out with participation 1155 over 65 age Spain. Confirmatory Factor Analysis structural equation models (SEM) were performed. results show TAM a useful model explain Digital Technology, showing high predictive power, highlighting Perceived Usefulness Ease Use as predictor variables.

Language: Английский

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Understanding and Addressing Older Adults’ Loneliness: The Social Relationship Expectations Framework

Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 18(4), P. 762 - 777

Published: Nov. 2, 2022

Loneliness is an experience resulting from a perceived discrepancy between expected and actual social relationships. Although this widely considered the "core mechanism" of loneliness, previous research interventions have not sufficiently addressed what older adults specifically expect their To address gap to help situate on adults' loneliness within broader life span developmental theories, we propose theoretical framework that outlines six key relationship expectations based psychology, gerontology, anthropology: availability contacts, receiving care support, intimacy understanding, enjoyment shared interests, generativity contribution, being respected valued. We further argue complete understanding across requires attention powerful impacts contextual factors (e.g., culture, functional limitations, network changes) expression fulfillment universal age-specific expectations. The proposed Social Relationship Expectations Framework may fruitfully inform future for heterogeneous aging population.

Language: Английский

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Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(18), P. 11310 - 11310

Published: Sept. 8, 2022

Loneliness and social isolation in older age are considered major public health concerns research on technology-based solutions is growing rapidly. This scoping review of reviews aims to summarize the communication technologies (CTs) (review question RQ1), theoretical frameworks (RQ2), study designs (RQ3), positive effects technology use (RQ4) present field.

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Cognitive Aging: A Narrative Review

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 699 - 714

Published: June 13, 2023

Social concepts such as loneliness and social isolation are fairly new factors that have been recently gaining attention to their involvement in changes cognitive function association with dementia. The primary aim of this narrative review was describe the current understanding how influence aging they linked Studies shown there is an between loneliness, isolation, reduced function, older adults, across multiple domains, well a heightened risk Numerous underlying neural biomechanisms including cortisol secretion brain volume alterations (e.g., white/grey matter, hippocampus) may contribute these relationships. However, due poor quality research, mixed inconclusive findings, issues accurately defining measuring more consistent high-quality interventions needed determine whether studies addressing can impact longer term This especially important given long-term COVID-19 pandemic on people yet be fully understood.

Language: Английский

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Development and evaluation of the information and communication technology-based Loneliness Alleviation Program for community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study and randomized controlled trial

Geriatric Nursing, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 53, P. 204 - 211

Published: Aug. 4, 2023

This study aimed to develop an information and communication technology (ICT)-based Loneliness Alleviation Program (LAP) for community-dwelling older adults, which was developed according the ADDIE model. The LAP is a complex non-face-to-face program physical, psychological, interpersonal loneliness alleviation. We conducted randomized controlled trial verify effects of on loneliness, depression, laughter index in adults. sessions were twice week 6 weeks (12 sessions). Data 40 adults aged 65 years above collected from January 2, 2023 February 17, at public health center South Korea. experimental group showed statistically significant scores. alleviated their by utilizing programs, expected increase continuity inclusiveness care.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the impact of information and communication technologies on loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review of reviews

BMC Geriatrics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: March 2, 2024

Abstract Background Recognizing the escalating public health concerns of loneliness and social isolation in aging populations, this study seeks to comprehensively explore potential information communication technology (ICT)-based interventions address these issues among older adults. This scoping review reviews aims map synthesize existing evidence on effectiveness scope ICT targeting community-dwelling adults, elucidating types technology, impacts, facilitators, barriers, research gaps. Methods Following Joanna Briggs Institute framework, we systematically searched eight diverse databases identifying relevant published reviews. We included English-written, peer-reviewed all types, with no limits regarding time publication about ICTs and/or for Eligible were analysed summarized, offering a holistic narrative reported their impact, identified facilitators barriers influencing implementation adoption interventions, gaps literature. Results The 39 publications between 2012 2024, spanning systematic, scoping, Various reported, primarily media virtual communities, followed by video-mediated friendly visits, conversational agents, robots, exergames online gameplay. Predominantly positive impacts mitigating evident ICTs, although methodological diversity contradictory findings complicated definite conclusions. Facilitators encompassed individual competencies, access usage, intervention design implementation. Research involved specific subgroups, exploring innovative technologies, incorporating designs, improving methodologies, addressing usability accessibility. Future should focus elderly individuals who can benefit most from use, novel using wider range enhancing accessibility considerations. Conclusions sheds light associated use. investigations prioritize refining outcome measures, gender differences, interventions. involvement adults process exploration technological training hold promise overcoming barriers.

Language: Английский

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AI Applications to Reduce Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness and Technologies

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 446 - 446

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

Background/Objectives: Loneliness among older adults is a prevalent issue, significantly impacting their quality of life and increasing the risk physical mental health complications. The application artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in behavioral interventions offers promising avenue to overcome challenges designing implementing reduce loneliness by enabling personalized scalable solutions. This study systematically reviews AI-enabled addressing adults, focusing on effectiveness underlying used. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across eight electronic databases, including PubMed Web Science, for studies published up 31 January 2024. Inclusion criteria were experimental involving AI applications mitigate aged 55 older. Data participant demographics, intervention characteristics, methodologies, outcomes extracted synthesized. Results: Nine included, comprising six randomized controlled trials three pre-post designs. most frequently implemented included speech recognition (n = 6) emotion simulation 5). Intervention types varied, with employing social robots, two utilizing personal voice assistants, one using digital human facilitator. Six reported significant reductions loneliness, particularly those which demonstrated emotional engagement interactions. Three non-significant effects, often due shorter durations or limited interaction frequencies. Conclusions: AI-driven show promise reducing adults. Future research should focus long-term, culturally competent solutions that integrate quantitative qualitative findings optimize design scalability.

Language: Английский

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Digital interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults: An evidence and gap map

Campbell Systematic Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(4)

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Social isolation and loneliness are more common in older adults associated with a serious impact on their well-being, mental health, physical longevity. They public health concern highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, hence need for digital technology tools to enable remotely delivered interventions alleviate of social during restrictions.To map available evidence effects mitigate and/or all settings except hospital settings.We searched following databases from inception May 16, 2021, no language restrictions. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo via Ovid, CINAHL EBSCO, Web Science Clarivate, ProQuest (all databases), International Bibliography Sciences (IBSS) ProQuest, EBSCO CINAHL), Global Index Medicus, Epistemonikos.Titles abstracts full text potentially eligible articles were independently screened duplicate eligibility criteria.We developed pilot tested data extraction code set Eppi-Reviewer individually extracted coded based an intervention-outcome framework which was also used define dimensions gap map.We included 200 (103 primary studies 97 systematic reviews) that assessed reduce adults. Most reviews (72%) classified as critically low quality, only 2% high quality 25% published since pandemic. The is unevenly distributed clusters predominantly high-income countries none low-income countries. most identified enhance interactions family friends community videoconferencing telephone calls. Digital support, particularly socially assistive robots, virtual pets common. focused reducing depression improving life Major gaps level outcomes process indicators. No or affordability divide although value accessibility barriers caused discussed three reviews. Adverse reported two six study review participants LGBTQIA2S+ one restricted 80 years older. Very few described how at-risk populations recruited conducted any equity analysis assess differences experiencing inequities across PROGRESS-Plus categories.The restrictions placed people have shone spotlight onto loneliness, This shows effectiveness Although relatively large recent, it there high-quality research. can guide researchers funders consider areas major priorities further

Language: Английский

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Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of RCT-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: July 17, 2024

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness are urgent public health concerns associated with negative physical mental outcomes. Understanding effective remedies is crucial in addressing these problems. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize critically appraise scientific evidence on the effectiveness of social interventions overall across subgroups. We focused systematic reviews (SRs) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods searched seven databases (June 2022 updated June 2023) supplemented search grey literature reference screening identify SRs published since 2017. Screening, data extraction, quality assessment using AMSTAR2 tool were conducted independently by author pairs, disagreements resolved through discussion. Results included 29 SRs, 16 meta-analysis 13 narrative synthesis. All loneliness, 12 additionally examining isolation. Four young people, 11 all ages, 14 older adults. The most frequently examined intervention types (social contact, support), psychological (therapy, psychoeducation, skills training), digital (e.g., computer use online support). Meta-analyses indicated small-to-moderate beneficial effects, while synthesis demonstrated mixed or no effect. for promising. However, caution warranted due effects’ small magnitude, significant heterogeneity, variable SRs. Digital other showed effect; however, advised interpreting results highly diverse nature studied. Conclusions overview shows moderate reducing ones tackling loneliness. Further rigorously RCTs needed guide policy decisions regarding implementation efficacious scalable interventions. Evaluation should focus both preventive structural tailored mitigating strategies that address specific causes

Language: Английский

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