Social Isolation and Loneliness as Medical Issues

New England Journal of Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 388(3), P. 193 - 195

Published: Jan. 14, 2023

Interview with Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad on the association between social connection and health. (10:44)Download A patient's level of was largely treated as a personal issue until pandemic forced us to reckon secondary effects distancing other isolating policies.

Language: Английский

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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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Interventions to Reduce Loneliness in Community-Living Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Journal of General Internal Medicine, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(6), P. 1015 - 1028

Published: Jan. 10, 2024

Abstract Background The problem of loneliness has garnered increased attention from policymakers, payors, and providers due to higher rates during the pandemic, particularly among seniors. Prior systematic reviews have in general not been able reach conclusions about effectiveness interventions. Methods Computerized databases were searched using broad terms such as “loneliness” or “lonely” “social isolation” support” Jan 1, 2011 June 23, 2021. We reference mined existing for additional older studies. Social Interventions Research & Evaluation Network database Google gray literature on Feb 4, 2022. Eligible studies RCTs observational interventions reduce community-living adults that used a validated scale; low- middle-income countries excluded, excluded if restricted populations where all persons had same disease (such with dementia). Results A total 5971 titles reviewed 60 included analysis, 36 24 Eleven 5 provided moderate certainty evidence group-based treatment was associated reduced (standardized mean difference = − 0.27, 95% CI 0.48, 0.08). Five internet training 0.22, 0.30, 0.14). Low suggested group exercises may be very small reductions loneliness. Evidence insufficient activities, individual in-person interactions, internet-delivered interventions, telephone-delivered Discussion Low-to-moderate exists treatments, training, possibly are modest adults. These findings can inform design supplemental benefits implementation evidence-based address Systematic Review Registration Number PROSPERO ( CRD42021272305 )

Language: Английский

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The Association of Social Support and Loneliness with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. 2765 - 2765

Published: Feb. 4, 2023

Background: Research suggests that changes in social support and loneliness have affected mental disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are a lack of studies comparing robustness these associations. Aims: The aims were to estimate strength associations with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress pandemic (2020–2022) general population. Method: method entailed systematic review random-effects meta-analysis quantitative studies. Results: Seventy-three included meta-analysis. pooled correlations effect size association 0.49, 0.40, 0.38, respectively. corresponding figures for 0.29, 0.19, 0.18, Subgroup analyses revealed some could be influenced by sociodemographic characteristics study samples, such as age, gender, region, stringency index, methodological moderators, sample size, collection date, quality, measurement scales. Conclusions: Social had weak while was moderate. Strategies address highly effective reducing impact on relationships health.

Language: Английский

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Social contact patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in 21 European countries – evidence from a two-year study

BMC Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: April 26, 2023

Most countries have enacted some restrictions to reduce social contacts slow down disease transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. For nearly two years, individuals likely also adopted new behaviours avoid pathogen exposure based on personal circumstances. We aimed understand way in which different factors affect - a critical step improving future pandemic responses.The analysis was repeated cross-sectional contact survey data collected standardized international study from 21 European between March 2020 and 2022. calculated mean daily reported using clustered bootstrap by country settings (at home, at work, or other settings). Where were available, rates period compared with recorded prior fitted censored individual-level generalized additive mixed models examine effects of various number contacts.The 463,336 observations 96,456 participants. In all where comparison over previous years substantially lower than those seen (approximately 10 < 5), predominantly due fewer outside home. Government imposed immediate effect contacts, these lingered after lifted. Across countries, relationships national policy, individual perceptions, circumstances determining varied.Our study, coordinated regional level, provides important insights into understanding associated support infectious outbreak responses.

Language: Английский

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User-Friendly Chatbot to Mitigate the Psychological Stress of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Development and Usability Study

JMIR Formative Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8, P. e49462 - e49462

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Background To safeguard the most vulnerable individuals during COVID-19 pandemic, numerous governments enforced measures such as stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and self-isolation. These restrictions had a particularly negative effect on older adults, they are more experience increased loneliness, which has various adverse effects, including increasing risk of mental health problems mortality. Chatbots can potentially reduce loneliness provide companionship pandemic. However, existing chatbots do not cater to specific needs adult populations. Objective We aimed develop user-friendly chatbot tailored adults with anxiety or depressive disorders pandemic examine their perspectives use. The primary research objective was investigate whether mitigate psychological stress COVID-19. Methods Participants were belonging two age groups (≥65 years <65 years) from psychiatric outpatient department who been diagnosed by certified psychiatrists according Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) criteria. participants required use mobile phones, have internet access, possess literacy skills. chatbot’s content includes monitoring tracking data providing information. access for at least 4 weeks. Self-report questionnaires depression, administered before after also rated attitudes toward chatbot. Results A total 35 (mean 65.21, SD 7.51 enrolled in trial, comprising 74% (n=26) female 26% (n=9) male participants. demonstrated high utilization rate intervention, over 82% engaging daily. Loneliness significantly improved group ≥65 years. This responded positively chatbot, evidenced changes University California Los Angeles Scale scores, suggesting that this demographic derive benefits interaction. Conversely, younger group, years, exhibited no significant intervention. Both provided good scores relation design respect usability 6.33 6.05, respectively) satisfaction 5.33 5.15, respectively), 7-point Likert scale. Conclusions interface found be promising results among 65 receiving care clinics experiencing relatively stable symptoms depression anxiety. only caring but showed potential alleviate challenging circumstances

Language: Английский

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Observational and genetic evidence disagree on the association between loneliness and risk of multiple diseases

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(11), P. 2209 - 2221

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Loneliness-the subjective experience of social disconnection-is now widely regarded as a health risk factor. However, whether the associations between loneliness and multiple diseases are consistent with causal effects remains largely unexplored. Here we combined behavioural, genetic hospitalization data from UK Biobank to examine wide range non-overlapping diseases. During median 12.2-year follow-up, was associated greater risks in 13 14 disease categories 30 56 individual considered. Of significantly loneliness, 26 had available for Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. After Benjamini‒Hochberg correction sensitivity analyses within MR framework, non-causal were identified liability 20 out specific diseases, including cardiovascular type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic liver kidney disease, most neurological other common Genetic only potentially causally remaining six Socioeconomic factors, behaviours, baseline depressive symptoms comorbidities explained Overall, our study revealed dissociation observational evidence regarding These findings suggest that may serve potential surrogate marker rather than factor tested here.

Language: Английский

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Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety in Adults ≥60 Years Old during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(22), P. 11859 - 11859

Published: Nov. 12, 2021

COVID-19 represents a threat to public health and the mental of aged population. Prevalence risk factors depression anxiety have been reported in previous reviews other populations; however, systematic review on associated with older adults is not currently present literature. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest Psychology Database, Science Direct, Cochrane Library SciELO databases (23 February 2021). The results were obtained by entering combination MeSH or Emtree terms keywords related COVID-19, elderly, databases. A total 11 studies included review. Female gender, loneliness, poor sleep quality motor function identified as both anxiety. Aspects having stable high monthly income represent protective for anxiety, exercising was described depression. This study synthesised information analysed main population during pandemic. However, cross-sectional design most does allow causal relationship between

Language: Английский

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Coping with loneliness through consumption

Journal of Consumer Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(2), P. 441 - 465

Published: Oct. 25, 2022

Language: Английский

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Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during the first COVID-19 pandemic- restrictions in Germany: a nationwide survey

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

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions posed challenges to maintaining healthy lifestyles and physical well-being. During the first mobility from March mid-July 2020, German population was advised stay home, except for work, exercise, essential shopping. Our objective comprehensively assess impact of these on changes in activity sedentary behavior identify most affected groups. Methods Between April 30, May 12, we distributed a COVID-19-specific questionnaire participants National Cohort (NAKO). This gathered information about participants’ currently compared time before restrictions. We integrated this new data with existing anxiety, depressive symptoms, activity. analyses focused sociodemographic factors, social relationships, health, working conditions. Results Out 152,421 respondents, significant proportion reported altered behavioral patterns due Over third initially meeting WHO’s recommendation could no longer meet guidelines during Participants substantial declines sports activities (mean change ( M ) = -0.38; 95% CI: -.390; -.378; range -2 + 2) reduced active transportation -0.12; -.126; -.117). However, they also increased recreational 0.12; .117; .126) while engaging more 0.24; .240; .247) pre-restriction levels. Multivariable linear log-binomial regression models indicated that younger adults were by than older adults. shift remote self-rated symptoms factors strongly associated all domains, including behavior, likelihood continue following guidelines. Conclusions Mobility shifted towards inactivity or low-intensity nationwide spring potentially leading considerable lasting health risks.

Language: Английский

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