Search

Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with poor health and increased risk for mortality, and inflammation might explain this link. We used data from the Danish TRIAGE Study of acutely admitted medical patients (N = 6,144, mean age 60 years), and from two population-representative birth cohorts: the New Zealand Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 881, age 45) and the UK Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1448, age 18), to investigate associations of social isolation with three markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a newer inflammation marker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which is thought to index systemic chronic inflammation. In the TRIAGE Study, socially isolated patients (those living alone) had significantly higher median levels of suPAR (but not CRP or IL-6) compared with patients not living by themselves. Social isolation prospectively measured in childhood was longitudinally associated with higher CRP, IL-6, and suPAR levels in adulthood (at age 45 in the Dunedin Study and age 18 in the E-Risk Study), but only suPAR remained associated after controlling for covariates. Dunedin Study participants who reported loneliness at age 38 or age 45 had elevated suPAR at age 45. In contrast, E-Risk Study participants reporting loneliness at age 18 did not show any elevated markers of inflammation. In conclusion, social isolation was robustly associated with increased inflammation in adulthood, both in medical patients and in the general population. It was associated in particular with systemic chronic inflammation, evident from the consistently stronger associations with suPAR than other inflammation biomarkers., Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with poor health and increased risk for mortality, and inflammation might explain this link. We used data from the Danish TRIAGE Study of acutely admitted medical patients (N = 6,144, mean age 60 years), and from two population-representative birth cohorts: the New Zealand Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 881, age 45) and the UK Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1448, age 18), to investigate associations of social isolation with three markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a newer inflammation marker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which is thought to index systemic chronic inflammation. In the TRIAGE Study, socially isolated patients (those living alone) had significantly higher median levels of suPAR (but not CRP or IL-6) compared with patients not living by themselves. Social isolation prospectively measured in childhood was longitudinally associated with higher CRP, IL-6, and suPAR levels in adulthood (at age 45 in the Dunedin Study and age 18 in the E-Risk Study), but only suPAR remained associated after controlling for covariates. Dunedin Study participants who reported loneliness at age 38 or age 45 had elevated suPAR at age 45. In contrast, E-Risk Study participants reporting loneliness at age 18 did not show any elevated markers of inflammation. In conclusion, social isolation was robustly associated with increased inflammation in adulthood, both in medical patients and in the general population. It was associated in particular with systemic chronic inflammation, evident from the consistently stronger associations with suPAR than other inflammation biomarkers.

Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with poor health and increased risk for mortality, and inflammation might explain this link. We used data from the Danish TRIAGE Study of acutely admitted medical patients (N = 6,144, mean age 60 years), and from two population-representative birth cohorts: the New Zealand Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 881, age 45) and the UK Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1448, age 18), to investigate associations of social isolation with three markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a newer inflammation marker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which is thought to index systemic chronic inflammation. In the TRIAGE Study, socially isolated patients (those living alone) had significantly higher median levels of suPAR (but not CRP or IL-6) compared with patients not living by themselves. Social isolation prospectively measured in childhood was longitudinally associated with higher CRP, IL-6, and suPAR levels in adulthood (at age 45 in the Dunedin Study and age 18 in the E-Risk Study), but only suPAR remained associated after controlling for covariates. Dunedin Study participants who reported loneliness at age 38 or age 45 had elevated suPAR at age 45. In contrast, E-Risk Study participants reporting loneliness at age 18 did not show any elevated markers of inflammation. In conclusion, social isolation was robustly associated with increased inflammation in adulthood, both in medical patients and in the general population. It was associated in particular with systemic chronic inflammation, evident from the consistently stronger associations with suPAR than other inflammation biomarkers., Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with poor health and increased risk for mortality, and inflammation might explain this link. We used data from the Danish TRIAGE Study of acutely admitted medical patients (N = 6,144, mean age 60 years), and from two population-representative birth cohorts: the New Zealand Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 881, age 45) and the UK Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1448, age 18), to investigate associations of social isolation with three markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a newer inflammation marker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which is thought to index systemic chronic inflammation. In the TRIAGE Study, socially isolated patients (those living alone) had significantly higher median levels of suPAR (but not CRP or IL-6) compared with patients not living by themselves. Social isolation prospectively measured in childhood was longitudinally associated with higher CRP, IL-6, and suPAR levels in adulthood (at age 45 in the Dunedin Study and age 18 in the E-Risk Study), but only suPAR remained associated after controlling for covariates. Dunedin Study participants who reported loneliness at age 38 or age 45 had elevated suPAR at age 45. In contrast, E-Risk Study participants reporting loneliness at age 18 did not show any elevated markers of inflammation. In conclusion, social isolation was robustly associated with increased inflammation in adulthood, both in medical patients and in the general population. It was associated in particular with systemic chronic inflammation, evident from the consistently stronger associations with suPAR than other inflammation biomarkers.

Bakgrund När coronaviruset spred sig runt om i världen var det särskilt äldre personer som ansågs vara i riskgrupp för att bli allvarligt sjuka av viruset. Smittskyddsåtgärder infördes på särskilda boenden där äldre personer behövde begränsa sina sociala kontakter, aktiviteter ställdes in och besöksförbud genomfördes. Att begränsa sociala relationer och inte ha kontakt med anhöriga leder till social isolering. Syfte Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt var att beskriva äldre personers psykiska upplevelser av att vara socialt isolerade på särskilda boenden under covid-19 pandemin. Metod Studien genomfördes som en strukturerad litteraturöversikt. Artiklarna hämtades i databaserna CINAHL och PubMed och resultatet är baserat på 12 originalartiklar publicerade mellan år 2020–2023. Resultat I resultatet framkommer två huvudkategorier: Negativa känslor till följd av isoleringen och Bevarad psykisk hälsa vid isolering. Social isolering på särskilda boenden genererade i känslor av frustration och maktlöshet när de äldre inte blev lyssnade på eller fick sina känslor bekräftade. Brist på kontakt med familj och vänner samt att inte längre ges möjlighet att delta i gemensamma aktiviteter skapade känslor av ensamhet. När smittspridningen ökade skapades rädslor över att tvingas bli isolerade igen och riskera att dö ensamma. Sjuksköterskan närvaro och stöd gav en trygghet för de äldre. Slutsats Litteraturöversikten visade att flera av äldre personer som bodde på särskilda boenden upplevde negativa känslor till följd av isoleringen på grund av en förändrad vardag. Vid förändrade livssituationer ställs krav på sjuksköterskan att uppmärksamma de äldres psykiska hälsa samt att se och bekräfta deras känslor, Background When the coronavirus spread around the world was it especially older people who were considered to be at risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. Infection prevention measures were introduced in nursing homes where elderly people needed to limit their social contacts, activities were canceled and visitor bans were implemented. Limiting social relationships and not having contact with relatives leads to social isolation. Aim The aim of this literature review was to describe older people's psychological experiences of being socially isolated in nursing homes during the covid-19 pandemic. Method The study was conducted as a structured literature review. The articles were retrieved from the CINAHL and PubMed databases and the results are based on 12 original articles published between 2020-2023. Results The results show two main categories: Negative feelings as a result of the isolation and Preserved mental health during isolation. Social isolation in nursing homes generated feelings of frustration and powerlessness when the elderly was not listened to or didn’t get their feelings validated. Lack of contact with family and friends and to no longer be given the opporunity to participate in social activities created feelings of loneliness for the elderly. As the spread of infection increased, fears were created of being forced to become isolated again and risking dying alone. The nurse's presence and support provided safety for the elderly. Conclusions The literature review showed that several of older people who lived in nursing homes experienced negative feelings as a result of the isolation due to a changed everyday life. In the case of changed life situations, demands are placed on the nurse to pay attention to the mental health of the elderly and to see and confirm their feelings.

Bakgrund När coronaviruset spred sig runt om i världen var det särskilt äldre personer som ansågs vara i riskgrupp för att bli allvarligt sjuka av viruset. Smittskyddsåtgärder infördes på särskilda boenden där äldre personer behövde begränsa sina sociala kontakter, aktiviteter ställdes in och besöksförbud genomfördes. Att begränsa sociala relationer och inte ha kontakt med anhöriga leder till social isolering. Syfte Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt var att beskriva äldre personers psykiska upplevelser av att vara socialt isolerade på särskilda boenden under covid-19 pandemin. Metod Studien genomfördes som en strukturerad litteraturöversikt. Artiklarna hämtades i databaserna CINAHL och PubMed och resultatet är baserat på 12 originalartiklar publicerade mellan år 2020–2023. Resultat I resultatet framkommer två huvudkategorier: Negativa känslor till följd av isoleringen och Bevarad psykisk hälsa vid isolering. Social isolering på särskilda boenden genererade i känslor av frustration och maktlöshet när de äldre inte blev lyssnade på eller fick sina känslor bekräftade. Brist på kontakt med familj och vänner samt att inte längre ges möjlighet att delta i gemensamma aktiviteter skapade känslor av ensamhet. När smittspridningen ökade skapades rädslor över att tvingas bli isolerade igen och riskera att dö ensamma. Sjuksköterskan närvaro och stöd gav en trygghet för de äldre. Slutsats Litteraturöversikten visade att flera av äldre personer som bodde på särskilda boenden upplevde negativa känslor till följd av isoleringen på grund av en förändrad vardag. Vid förändrade livssituationer ställs krav på sjuksköterskan att uppmärksamma de äldres psykiska hälsa samt att se och bekräfta deras känslor, Background When the coronavirus spread around the world was it especially older people who were considered to be at risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. Infection prevention measures were introduced in nursing homes where elderly people needed to limit their social contacts, activities were canceled and visitor bans were implemented. Limiting social relationships and not having contact with relatives leads to social isolation. Aim The aim of this literature review was to describe older people's psychological experiences of being socially isolated in nursing homes during the covid-19 pandemic. Method The study was conducted as a structured literature review. The articles were retrieved from the CINAHL and PubMed databases and the results are based on 12 original articles published between 2020-2023. Results The results show two main categories: Negative feelings as a result of the isolation and Preserved mental health during isolation. Social isolation in nursing homes generated feelings of frustration and powerlessness when the elderly was not listened to or didn’t get their feelings validated. Lack of contact with family and friends and to no longer be given the opporunity to participate in social activities created feelings of loneliness for the elderly. As the spread of infection increased, fears were created of being forced to become isolated again and risking dying alone. The nurse's presence and support provided safety for the elderly. Conclusions The literature review showed that several of older people who lived in nursing homes experienced negative feelings as a result of the isolation due to a changed everyday life. In the case of changed life situations, demands are placed on the nurse to pay attention to the mental health of the elderly and to see and confirm their feelings.

Current Research explored relationship between Socio economic status, Social Isolation and Depression among caregivers of individuals with physical disability. A group of 170 participants was selected using purposive sampling, with occasional utilization of the snowball technique to gather data. The sample included both married and unmarried individuals of both genders. Data collection involved the administration of three scales: the Macarthur SSS scale, comprising 2 items to gauge socioeconomic status; the LSNS, containing 10 items to assess social isolation; and the Hamilton Depression scale, consisting of 21 items to measure depression. Data was analyzed through SPSS. Values of Correlation depicts that there exists a notably weak positive correlation(r=.132, p<0.001) between socioeconomic status and social isolation, alongside a notably strong negative correlation (r=-.413, p<0.001) between socioeconomic status and depression. The significant relationship between depression and the socioeconomic status of caregivers of physically disabled individuals expounds the relationship between caregiving responsibilities, limited opportunities for personal advancement, and heightened risk of psychophysiological ailments due to social isolation and neglect of health. This interconnectedness highlights the need for comprehensive support systems addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by caregivers, to mitigate adverse effects on their well-being and quality of life.

This research project explores the impact of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) based designs on social isolation experiences, focusing on synchronous coordination and asynchronous collaboration. It investigates the experiences, engagement patterns, and preferences of a broad range of participants facing social isolation and assesses how HCI-based interventions affect the frequency and quality of social engagements. The study consists of co-design workshops and prototype testing phases, gathering insights into isolation challenges, and proposing effective socio-technical interventions. The results of this study contribute to the field of HCI by highlighting the potential of socio-technical interventions to alleviate social isolation and improve well-being. By examining a diverse range of individuals, the research informs the design of interventions applicable to a broader audience. Additionally, the study considers how other factors can impact the dynamics of social isolation interventions, with introversion vs. extroversion being specifically recognised. This project aspires to generate innovative ideas and technological designs that support individuals suffering from isolation, promoting social well-being, and enhancing social support networks. By addressing the challenges of social isolation through HCI interventions, this research has the potential to reach a wide range of affected individuals, regardless of the underlying cause of their social isolation.

This study examines the impact of social isolation on risk-taking behavior in highly uncertain environments with the potential for significant gains and losses. We uncover both direct and indirect effects of social isolation on risk-taking behavior, mediated through perceived stress, sense of control, and neuroticism. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a pertinent context to explore these dynamics, while the volatile cryptocurrency market serves as a topical context for investigation. The analysis based on covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) of survey responses from 216 consumers reveals that social isolation significantly increases risk-taking behavior, primarily mediated by heightened perceived stress. Contrary to expectations, sense of control and neuroticism did not mediate this relationship, indicating specific pathways through which isolation affects risk decision. This finding suggests that while social isolation intensifies perceived stress, yielding riskier purchase decisions, it does not universally impact other psychological aspects like resilience (sense of control) or vulnerability (neuroticism). The observed direct (main) and indirect (mediation) effects highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address psychological well-being, particularly at times of enforced isolation. Understanding these dynamics can help advisors (e.g., financial consultants), marketers, and policymakers (e.g., government agencies/lawmakers) formulate strategies to curb excessive risk-taking among isolated individuals, particularly in high-risk financial settings.

Human beings are inherently social creatures, wired biologically and psychologically to seek connections with others. When deprived of social interactions, individuals may experience social isolation and loneliness, leading to various psychological and physiological consequences. People living with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) are particularly vulnerable to these issues due to the nature of their health condition. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been shown to play an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. However, it is crucial to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective for all individuals or groups. Instead, ICT solutions must be customized to meet the unique needs, experiences, and preferences of different individuals. Currently, there is a lack of ICT solutions for managing social isolation and loneliness among PwP. Therefore, this thesis aims to address this gap by exploring and designing a customized ICT solution for PwP. To do this, the research presented in this thesis integrates design science research (DSR) and user centred design (UCD) methodologies, employing qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, literature reviews, usability evaluations and co-design workshops. Challenges and needs of PwP were identified and used to develop an initial set of design principles, personas, and scenarios. Subsequently, a prototype was developed, demonstrated, and evaluated with both experts and PwP. The design principles and the prototype were refined in four design cycles. The thesis contributes to both research and practice by producing a prototype as an artefactual contribution and the design principles which represents the first step towards the development of nascent design theory, thereby contributing to a prescriptive knowledge base. Furthermore, the integration of DSR with UCD contributes to an enhanced understanding of how to effectively combine these methodologies to design ICT solutions fo

Human beings are inherently social creatures, wired biologically and psychologically to seek connections with others. When deprived of social interactions, individuals may experience social isolation and loneliness, leading to various psychological and physiological consequences. People living with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) are particularly vulnerable to these issues due to the nature of their health condition. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been shown to play an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. However, it is crucial to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective for all individuals or groups. Instead, ICT solutions must be customized to meet the unique needs, experiences, and preferences of different individuals. Currently, there is a lack of ICT solutions for managing social isolation and loneliness among PwP. Therefore, this thesis aims to address this gap by exploring and designing a customized ICT solution for PwP. To do this, the research presented in this thesis integrates design science research (DSR) and user centred design (UCD) methodologies, employing qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, literature reviews, usability evaluations and co-design workshops. Challenges and needs of PwP were identified and used to develop an initial set of design principles, personas, and scenarios. Subsequently, a prototype was developed, demonstrated, and evaluated with both experts and PwP. The design principles and the prototype were refined in four design cycles. The thesis contributes to both research and practice by producing a prototype as an artefactual contribution and the design principles which represents the first step towards the development of nascent design theory, thereby contributing to a prescriptive knowledge base. Furthermore, the integration of DSR with UCD contributes to an enhanced understanding of how to effectively combine these methodologies to design ICT solutions fo

Human beings are inherently social creatures, wired biologically and psychologically to seek connections with others. When deprived of social interactions, individuals may experience social isolation and loneliness, leading to various psychological and physiological consequences. People living with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) are particularly vulnerable to these issues due to the nature of their health condition. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been shown to play an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. However, it is crucial to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective for all individuals or groups. Instead, ICT solutions must be customized to meet the unique needs, experiences, and preferences of different individuals. Currently, there is a lack of ICT solutions for managing social isolation and loneliness among PwP. Therefore, this thesis aims to address this gap by exploring and designing a customized ICT solution for PwP. To do this, the research presented in this thesis integrates design science research (DSR) and user centred design (UCD) methodologies, employing qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, literature reviews, usability evaluations and co-design workshops. Challenges and needs of PwP were identified and used to develop an initial set of design principles, personas, and scenarios. Subsequently, a prototype was developed, demonstrated, and evaluated with both experts and PwP. The design principles and the prototype were refined in four design cycles. The thesis contributes to both research and practice by producing a prototype as an artefactual contribution and the design principles which represents the first step towards the development of nascent design theory, thereby contributing to a prescriptive knowledge base. Furthermore, the integration of DSR with UCD contributes to an enhanced understanding of how to effectively combine these methodologies to design ICT solutions fo

This study examines the impact of social isolation on risk-taking behavior in highly uncertain environments with the potential for significant gains and losses. We uncover both direct and indirect effects of social isolation on risk-taking behavior, mediated through perceived stress, sense of control, and neuroticism. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a pertinent context to explore these dynamics, while the volatile cryptocurrency market serves as a topical context for investigation. The analysis based on covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) of survey responses from 216 consumers reveals that social isolation significantly increases risk-taking behavior, primarily mediated by heightened perceived stress. Contrary to expectations, sense of control and neuroticism did not mediate this relationship, indicating specific pathways through which isolation affects risk decision. This finding suggests that while social isolation intensifies perceived stress, yielding riskier purchase decisions, it does not universally impact other psychological aspects like resilience (sense of control) or vulnerability (neuroticism). The observed direct (main) and indirect (mediation) effects highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address psychological well-being, particularly at times of enforced isolation. Understanding these dynamics can help advisors (e.g., financial consultants), marketers, and policymakers (e.g., government agencies/lawmakers) formulate strategies to curb excessive risk-taking among isolated individuals, particularly in high-risk financial settings.

This study examines the impact of social isolation on risk-taking behavior in highly uncertain environments with the potential for significant gains and losses. We uncover both direct and indirect effects of social isolation on risk-taking behavior, mediated through perceived stress, sense of control, and neuroticism. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a pertinent context to explore these dynamics, while the volatile cryptocurrency market serves as a topical context for investigation. The analysis based on covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) of survey responses from 216 consumers reveals that social isolation significantly increases risk-taking behavior, primarily mediated by heightened perceived stress. Contrary to expectations, sense of control and neuroticism did not mediate this relationship, indicating specific pathways through which isolation affects risk decision. This finding suggests that while social isolation intensifies perceived stress, yielding riskier purchase decisions, it does not universally impact other psychological aspects like resilience (sense of control) or vulnerability (neuroticism). The observed direct (main) and indirect (mediation) effects highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address psychological well-being, particularly at times of enforced isolation. Understanding these dynamics can help advisors (e.g., financial consultants), marketers, and policymakers (e.g., government agencies/lawmakers) formulate strategies to curb excessive risk-taking among isolated individuals, particularly in high-risk financial settings.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex, noncurable, and progressive neurological disease affecting different areas of the human nervous system. PD is associated with both motor and nonmotor symptoms, which negatively affect patients' quality of life and may cause changes in socialization such as intentional social withdrawal. This may further lead to social isolation and loneliness. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) plays an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. Currently, there is a lack of research focusing on designing and developing ICT solutions that specifically address social isolation and loneliness among people living with PD. OBJECTIVE: This study addresses this gap by investigating barriers and social needs in the context of social isolation, loneliness, and technology use among people living with PD. The insights gained can inform the development of effective ICT solutions, which can address social isolation and loneliness and improve the quality of life for people living with PD. METHODS: A qualitative study with 2 phases of data collection were conducted. During the first phase, 9 health care professionals and 16 people living with PD were interviewed to understand how PD affects social life and technology use. During the second phase, 2 focus groups were conducted with 4 people living with PD in each group to gather insights into their needs and identify ways to manage social isolation and loneliness. Thematic analysis was used to analyze both data sets and identify key themes. RESULTS: The results showed that the barriers experienced by people living with PD due to PD such as "fatigue," "psychological conditions," "social stigma," and "medication side effects" affect their social life. People living with PD also experience difficulties using a keyboard and mouse, remembering passwords, and navigating complex applications due to their PD-related physical and cognitive limitations. To manage their, This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the MarieSklodowska-Curie.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex, noncurable, and progressive neurological disease affecting different areas of the human nervous system. PD is associated with both motor and nonmotor symptoms, which negatively affect patients’ quality of life and may cause changes in socialization such as intentional social withdrawal. This may further lead to social isolation and loneliness. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) plays an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. Currently, there is a lack of research focusing on designing and developing ICT solutions that specifically address social isolation and loneliness among people living with PD. Objective: This study addresses this gap by investigating barriers and social needs in the context of social isolation, loneliness, and technology use among people living with PD. The insights gained can inform the development of effective ICT solutions, which can address social isolation and loneliness and improve the quality of life for people living with PD. Methods: A qualitative study with 2 phases of data collection were conducted. During the first phase, 9 health care professionals and 16 people living with PD were interviewed to understand how PD affects social life and technology use. During the second phase, 2 focus groups were conducted with 4 people living with PD in each group to gather insights into their needs and identify ways to manage social isolation and loneliness. Thematic analysis was used to analyze both data sets and identify key themes. Results: The results showed that the barriers experienced by people living with PD due to PD such as “fatigue,” “psychological conditions,” “social stigma,” and “medication side effects” affect their social life. People living with PD also experience difficulties using a keyboard and mouse, remembering passwords, and navigating complex applications due to their PD-related physical and cognitive limitations. To manage their

This study examines the impact of social isolation on risk-taking behavior in highly uncertain environments with the potential for significant gains and losses. We uncover both direct and indirect effects of social isolation on risk-taking behavior, mediated through perceived stress, sense of control, and neuroticism. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a pertinent context to explore these dynamics, while the volatile cryptocurrency market serves as a topical context for investigation. The analysis based on covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) of survey responses from 216 consumers reveals that social isolation significantly increases risk-taking behavior, primarily mediated by heightened perceived stress. Contrary to expectations, sense of control and neuroticism did not mediate this relationship, indicating specific pathways through which isolation affects risk decision. This finding suggests that while social isolation intensifies perceived stress, yielding riskier purchase decisions, it does not universally impact other psychological aspects like resilience (sense of control) or vulnerability (neuroticism). The observed direct (main) and indirect (mediation) effects highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address psychological well-being, particularly at times of enforced isolation. Understanding these dynamics can help advisors (e.g., financial consultants), marketers, and policymakers (e.g., government agencies/lawmakers) formulate strategies to curb excessive risk-taking among isolated individuals, particularly in high-risk financial settings.

Population aging is a worldwide trend linked to scientific developments such as vaccinations and medical advancements, including improvements in cancer treatment and a lower fertility rate than experienced by previous generations. This phenomenon is poised to instigate one of the biggest social revolutions of the twenty-first century. The consequences of an aging population affect housing, transportation, labor markets, and the demand for goods and services. It also influences interpersonal relationships, including family structures and friendships. This upward drift of improved longevity increases the possibility of developing physical and psychological ailments that can contribute to lifestyle changes and subsequently increase the probability of social isolation. Social isolation has similar adverse effects to loneliness, and the two constructs have often been studied in correlations. However, the parameters have been identified as separate, and this study explores social isolation apart from loneliness. Extensive reports have examined the effects of social isolation in association with gender, culture, and lifestyle choices, but little research is available on the impact of physical location. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experience of social isolation in older adults through the lens of geographic location. The experience of social isolation is compared between rural, suburban, and urban locations. The findings suggest that geographic area may have little to do with social isolation measured in quantitative values. However, there are significant differences between themes that present themselves when discussing the lived experience and a person's relationship with their geographic location.

Following the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, there has been a greater emphasis on how social isolation impacts one's health. For several animals, social isolation has been identified as a key risk factor for disease and mortality. Since eusocial insects have been found to be an excellent model for examining the impact of stresses like social isolation, ants were used for this study. Ants have been seen to alter their nestmates' behavior, trophallaxis, grooming, and allogrooming, as well as affect feeding behaviors and fluctuating bioamine levels in their brain in response to social isolation. Effects of social isolation on bioamine levels and digestion in Camponotus floridanus ants were the subjects of this investigation. The primary purpose of our research was to understand how the duration of social isolation impacts serotonin and octopamine levels, as well as how the digestive tract and behavior are affected in ants. We experimentally isolated ants in a controlled setting for seven days and twenty-one days to observe how their behavior, bioamine levels, and digestive system altered. It was discovered that social isolation impacts behavior. No changes within the digestive tract based on the ratio of crop versus midgut were observed. The duration of social isolation did not play a significant role; however, social isolation, no matter the duration, significantly increased social behavior. This research helps to better understand the effects of social isolation on social insects' behavior and health, which can shed light on how it affects other social creatures.

Social isolation and loneliness are major problems for older adults. Increasing evidence suggests that perceived social isolation or loneliness is associated with severe consequences for physical and mental health of older people with Chronic Diseases. This study aimed to investigate the experience of social isolation and loneliness among older adults with Chronic Diseases. This research was a descriptive qualitative study based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews. This study purposively selected community-dwelling older people with Chronic Diseases in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, to explore older people's experiences of social isolation and loneliness, the reasons why social isolation and loneliness occurs and the help they wish to receive. The qualitative content analysis was performed in order to summarize and extract themes from the interview texts. A total of 16 interviews were completed. Three themes were identified: 1) Inner emotions; 2)Reasons for social isolation and loneliness; 3)Desired assistance. It was found that social isolation and loneliness among older people with Chronic Diseases was not optimistic. Factors result in the social isolation and loneliness of older persons are manifold. Multidimensional intervention strategies should be adopted to alleviate the social isolation and loneliness of older people at the individual, family, community and social levels.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of loneliness and social isolation on cognition over a 3-year follow-up period in middle- and older-aged adults. Methods: Data from a Spanish nationally representative sample were analyzed (n = 1691; aged 50 years or older). Loneliness, social isolation, and cognition (immediate recall, delayed recall, verbal fluency, forward digit span, backward digit span, and a composite cognitive score) were assessed both at baseline and at follow-up. Adjusted generalized estimating equations models were performed. Results: Loneliness was significantly associated with lower scores in the composite cognitive score, immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency, and backward digit span (B = -0.14 to B = -3.16; P < .05) and with a more rapid decline from baseline to follow-up in two out of six cognitive tests. Higher social isolation was associated with lower scores in the composite cognitive score, verbal fluency, and forward digit span (B = -0.06 to B = -0.85; P < .05). The effect of loneliness and social isolation on cognition remained significant after the exclusion of individuals with depression. Conclusions: Both loneliness and social isolation are associated with decreased cognitive function over a 3-year follow-up period. The development of interventions that include the enhancement of social participation and the maintenance of emotionally supportive relationships might contribute to cognitive decline prevention and risk reduction., Seventh Framework Programme. European Union, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental ACI-Promociona, Proyectos de Investigación en Salud. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Generalitat de Catalunya, Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica, Fac. de Psicología, TRUE, pub

Social isolation and loneliness are major problems for older adults. Increasing evidence suggests that perceived social isolation or loneliness is associated with severe consequences for physical and mental health of older people with Chronic Diseases. This study aimed to investigate the experience of social isolation and loneliness among older adults with Chronic Diseases. This research was a descriptive qualitative study based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews. This study purposively selected community-dwelling older people with Chronic Diseases in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, to explore older people's experiences of social isolation and loneliness, the reasons why social isolation and loneliness occurs and the help they wish to receive. The qualitative content analysis was performed in order to summarize and extract themes from the interview texts. A total of 16 interviews were completed. Three themes were identified: 1) Inner emotions; 2)Reasons for social isolation and loneliness; 3)Desired assistance. It was found that social isolation and loneliness among older people with Chronic Diseases was not optimistic. Factors result in the social isolation and loneliness of older persons are manifold. Multidimensional intervention strategies should be adopted to alleviate the social isolation and loneliness of older people at the individual, family, community and social levels.

BACKGROUND: Psychotic experiences (PEs) and social isolation (SI) seem related during early stages of psychosis, but the temporal dynamics between the two are not clear. Literature so far suggests a self-perpetuating cycle wherein momentary increases in PEs lead to social withdrawal, which, subsequently, triggers PEs at a next point in time, especially when SI is associated with increased distress. The current study investigated the daily-life temporal associations between SI and PEs, as well as the role of SI-related and general affective distress in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. METHODS: We used experience sampling methodology in a sample of 137 CHR participants. We analyzed the association between SI, PEs, and distress using time-lagged linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: SI did not predict next-moment fluctuations in PEs, or . Furthermore, although SI-related distress was not predictive of subsequent PEs, general affective distress during SI was a robust predictor of next-moment PEs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SI and PEs are not directly related on a moment-to-moment level, but a negative emotional state when alone does contribute to the risk of PEs. These findings highlight the role of affective wellbeing during early-stage psychosis development.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of social connectedness, whilst the popularity of social media continues to rise. The present study examined the relationship between engagement on social networking sites (SNSs), social connectedness and social isolation in a sample of Hong Kong Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 232 participants (65% female) aged 18–65 years were recruited to a cross-sectional online study. SNS engagement was predictive of social connectedness in the present sample. Findings revealed that SNS engagement was associated with lower levels of social isolation. Younger participants reported greater engagement with SNSs, and lower levels of social isolation compared to older participants. However, older respondents reported greater levels of social connectedness. No gender differences were observed in social connectedness, but men reported significantly higher levels of social isolation compared to women. With the COVID-19 pandemic only just at an end, social restrictions have recently been lifted in Hong Kong, resulting in the significance of online communication becoming ever more important as a means of maintaining social connectedness.

Background: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health and overall well-being of the geriatric population has become a significant concern globally. This systematic literature review aims to analyse and synthesise existing research to provide insights into this complex relationship. Methods: Electronic resources like PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest Central were used to do a systematic review of the literature. Studies from various cultural and geographical situations conducted till 2023 were taken into account A Detailed search technique was used, and data extraction and evaluation were carried out using established criteria to identify study quality and relevance. Thematic analysis was used to combine findings from qualitative and quantitative investigations. Results: The review identified 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, showcasing a global interest in understanding the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of older adults. Among these studies, 14 were quantitative, 1 qualitative, and 3 utilised mixed methods. Thematic analysis revealed consistent themes, including prevalence and correlates of loneliness, the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health outcomes, cultural and geographical variations, aging-related factors, the importance of social support, technology use, health services utilisation, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and mental health among older adults. While some studies emphasise the detrimental effects, others underscore the protective role of social support and meaningful social connections. Cultural nuances, technological interventions, and the need for targeted support services emerge as critical considerations. These insights have implications for practice, emphasising the development of tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting the mental and overall we

Background: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health and overall well-being of the geriatric population has become a significant concern globally. This systematic literature review aims to analyse and synthesise existing research to provide insights into this complex relationship. Methods: Electronic resources like PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest Central were used to do a systematic review of the literature. Studies from various cultural and geographical situations conducted till 2023 were taken into account A Detailed search technique was used, and data extraction and evaluation were carried out using established criteria to identify study quality and relevance. Thematic analysis was used to combine findings from qualitative and quantitative investigations. Results: The review identified 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, showcasing a global interest in understanding the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of older adults. Among these studies, 14 were quantitative, 1 qualitative, and 3 utilised mixed methods. Thematic analysis revealed consistent themes, including prevalence and correlates of loneliness, the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health outcomes, cultural and geographical variations, aging-related factors, the importance of social support, technology use, health services utilisation, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and mental health among older adults. While some studies emphasise the detrimental effects, others underscore the protective role of social support and meaningful social connections. Cultural nuances, technological interventions, and the need for targeted support services emerge as critical considerations. These insights have implications for practice, emphasising the development of tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting the mental and overall we

Background: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health and overall well-being of the geriatric population has become a significant concern globally. This systematic literature review aims to analyse and synthesise existing research to provide insights into this complex relationship. Methods: Electronic resources like PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest Central were used to do a systematic review of the literature. Studies from various cultural and geographical situations conducted till 2023 were taken into account A Detailed search technique was used, and data extraction and evaluation were carried out using established criteria to identify study quality and relevance. Thematic analysis was used to combine findings from qualitative and quantitative investigations. Results: The review identified 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, showcasing a global interest in understanding the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of older adults. Among these studies, 14 were quantitative, 1 qualitative, and 3 utilised mixed methods. Thematic analysis revealed consistent themes, including prevalence and correlates of loneliness, the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health outcomes, cultural and geographical variations, aging-related factors, the importance of social support, technology use, health services utilisation, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and mental health among older adults. While some studies emphasise the detrimental effects, others underscore the protective role of social support and meaningful social connections. Cultural nuances, technological interventions, and the need for targeted support services emerge as critical considerations. These insights have implications for practice, emphasising the development of tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting the mental and overall we

Background: The impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health and overall well-being of the geriatric population has become a significant concern globally. This systematic literature review aims to analyse and synthesise existing research to provide insights into this complex relationship. Methods: Electronic resources like PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest Central were used to do a systematic review of the literature. Studies from various cultural and geographical situations conducted till 2023 were taken into account A Detailed search technique was used, and data extraction and evaluation were carried out using established criteria to identify study quality and relevance. Thematic analysis was used to combine findings from qualitative and quantitative investigations. Results: The review identified 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, showcasing a global interest in understanding the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of older adults. Among these studies, 14 were quantitative, 1 qualitative, and 3 utilised mixed methods. Thematic analysis revealed consistent themes, including prevalence and correlates of loneliness, the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health outcomes, cultural and geographical variations, aging-related factors, the importance of social support, technology use, health services utilisation, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and mental health among older adults. While some studies emphasise the detrimental effects, others underscore the protective role of social support and meaningful social connections. Cultural nuances, technological interventions, and the need for targeted support services emerge as critical considerations. These insights have implications for practice, emphasising the development of tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting the mental and overall we

Background: There has been extensive research on the relationship between hearing and cognitive impairment in older adults but little examination of the role of mediating factors. Social isolation is a potential mediator, occurring because of hearing loss, and contributing to accelerated cognitive decline. Previous systematic reviews on this topic area have not considered the temporal nature of hearing loss and cognitive impairment exclusively or examined potential mediators within a longitudinal study design. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic searches were performed in Web of Science, PubMed (Medline), Scopus, EMBASE, PsychInfo, and ProQuest (PsychArticles and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses) based on a search string of keywords relating to hearing loss, social isolation, and cognitive impairment/dementia in June 2023. Papers were critically appraised using the CASP checklists for cohort studies. Risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the Item Bank for Assessment of Risk of Bias and Precision for Observational Studies of Interventions or Exposures. Results: Eleven of the 15 included studies provide evidence of a dose-dependent association between hearing threshold (40 dB HL or greater) and later cognitive impairment or incident dementia. Only one study included social isolation as a mediator, which was found to not be a significant contributing factor. The meta-analysis of 5 studies pooled hazard ratio for cognitive impairment due to hearing loss is 1.11 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.15, p < 0.001). The pooled hazard ratio for incident dementia due to hearing loss was HR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.31, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The analysis of included studies indicate that hearing threshold level affects later cognitive status or dementia diagnosis. There is not enough evidence to determine the role of social isolation as a mediator. Future epidemiology studies need to measure different elements of social isolation and ensure that hearing and

Background: There has been extensive research on the relationship between hearing and cognitive impairment in older adults but little examination of the role of mediating factors. Social isolation is a potential mediator, occurring because of hearing loss, and contributing to accelerated cognitive decline. Previous systematic reviews on this topic area have not considered the temporal nature of hearing loss and cognitive impairment exclusively or examined potential mediators within a longitudinal study design. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic searches were performed in Web of Science, PubMed (Medline), Scopus, EMBASE, PsychInfo, and ProQuest (PsychArticles and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses) based on a search string of keywords relating to hearing loss, social isolation, and cognitive impairment/dementia in June 2023. Papers were critically appraised using the CASP checklists for cohort studies. Risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the Item Bank for Assessment of Risk of Bias and Precision for Observational Studies of Interventions or Exposures. Results: Eleven of the 15 included studies provide evidence of a dose-dependent association between hearing threshold (40 dB HL or greater) and later cognitive impairment or incident dementia. Only one study included social isolation as a mediator, which was found to not be a significant contributing factor. The meta-analysis of 5 studies pooled hazard ratio for cognitive impairment due to hearing loss is 1.11 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.15, p < 0.001). The pooled hazard ratio for incident dementia due to hearing loss was HR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.31, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The analysis of included studies indicate that hearing threshold level affects later cognitive status or dementia diagnosis. There is not enough evidence to determine the role of social isolation as a mediator. Future epidemiology studies need to measure different elements of social isolation and ensure that hearing and

Chronic social isolation (CSIS) generates two stress-related phenotypes: resilience and susceptibility. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CSIS resilience remain unclear. We identified altered proteome components and biochemical pathways and processes in the prefrontal cortex cytosolic fraction in CSIS-resilient rats compared to CSIS-susceptible and control rats using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry followed by label-free quantification and STRING bioinformatics. A sucrose preference test was performed to distinguish rat phenotypes. Potential predictive proteins discriminating between the CSIS-resilient and CSIS-susceptible groups were identified using machine learning (ML) algorithms: support vector machine-based sequential feature selection and random forest-based feature importance scores. Predominantly, decreased levels of some glycolytic enzymes, G protein-coupled receptor proteins, the Ras subfamily of GTPases proteins, and antioxidant proteins were found in the CSIS-resilient vs. CSIS-susceptible groups. Altered levels of Gapdh, microtubular, cytoskeletal, and calcium-binding proteins were identified between the two phenotypes. Increased levels of proteins involved in GABA synthesis, the proteasome system, nitrogen metabolism, and chaperone-mediated protein folding were identified. Predictive proteins make CSIS-resilient vs. CSIS-susceptible groups linearly separable, whereby a 100% validation accuracy was achieved by ML models. The overall ratio of significantly up- and downregulated cytosolic proteins suggests adaptive cellular alterations as part of the stress-coping process specific for the CSIS-resilient phenotype.

Yamei Bai,&ast; Yuqing Chen,&ast; Meng Tian, Jiaojiao Gao, Yulei Song, Xueqing Zhang, Haiyan Yin, Guihua Xu School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guihua Xu, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 138, Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-153-6513-2927, Email 7115@njucm.edu.cnPurpose: Social isolation and depression have an impact on cognitive frailty. However, the underlying mechanisms between these variables have not been well defined. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between social isolation and cognitive frailty among older adults in China.Methods: From Mar 2023 to Aug 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 496 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Demographic information was collected using the General Information Questionnaire. The Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item (GDS-15), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), and FRAIL scale were used for the questionnaire survey. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were utilized to explore the associations among social isolation, depressive symptoms, and cognitive frailty, and Bootstrap analysis was used to explore the mediating role of depressive symptoms in social isolation and cognitive frailty.Results: Linear regression results revealed that social isolation was positively associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.873, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that social isolation (OR = 1.769, 95% CI = 1.018~3.075) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.227, 95% CI = 1.108~1.357) were significantly associated with cognitive frailty. Mediation analysis demonstrated that depr

Social-isolation and loneliness, both domains of social connectedness, are well-established health concerns for older adults. Simultaneously, Digital-communication technologies (DCT), are linked to lower loneliness, fewer chronic illnesses and depression. Yet, DCT uptake for connectedness in older adults remains low. In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic became a severe health and socio-economic crisis for older adults, with social distancing exacerbated loneliness. An opportunity arose for exploration of factors impacting social connectedness and what was enhancing or impeding DCT use in older adults. First, an umbrella review examined technology interventions for social connectedness in older adults to understand effectiveness, derivable themes, and any gaps. Results showed that Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and videoconferencing were most effective. An understanding of the predictors of loneliness and the interactive role played by technology was identified as a major gap. Subsequent quantitative studies examined these predictors including social isolation, psychological resilience (PR) (Study 2), age-friendliness of environments (AFE), life-space mobility (LSM) (Study 3), Educational Attainment (EA) (Study 4), and their impact on technology use and loneliness. Using correlation, mediation and moderation analyses, hypotheses were investigated. PR and EA predicted greater technology use, and lower loneliness. Technology mediated the relationship between PR and loneliness but did not moderate the effect of social isolation. Technology moderated the impact of lockdowns and loneliness on perceptions of AFE. A mixed-method study (Study 5) followed, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Elevated COVID-19 anxiety impacted acceptance. Five major themes emerged: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease-of-use (PEU), behavioural intentions (BI), pandemic (situational context), and privacy/security concerns. Certain DCT (like WhatsApp/Zoom) insulated a

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática de publicações que relataram a avaliação da saúde mental de estudantes universitários da América Latina especificamente durante o período de isolamento social na pandemia da Covid-19. As bases de dados utilizadas para pesquisa, foram: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo e Scielo para coleta de estudos em inglês, espanhol ou português. A consulta às bases ocorreu em maio de 2022 e os descritores adotados, foram: saúde mental, estudantes e pandemia. O booleano AND foi utilizado para combinação dos descritores. Foram incluídos estudos com graduandos em instituições da América Latina, envolvendo saúde mental e terem sido realizados durante o período de isolamento social. Foram excluídas todas as publicações que não fossem estudos empíricos, com outros membros da comunidade acadêmica ou em idiomas que não os da consulta às bases. A seleção de artigos elegíveis foi realizada por dois revisores que avaliaram a qualidade de cada um dos estudos para posterior extração dos dados. Para a síntese dos resultados foi utilizada a abordagem de narrativa de síntese temática. Foram identificadas 6.150 publicações inicialmente, que resultaram em 11 estudos incluídos após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade. Os resultados revelam, com exceção a um estudo, que a qualidade da saúde mental dos estudantes universitários latino-americanos durante o período de isolamento social na pandemia Covid-19 reduziu. Os impactos principais relatados envolvem aumento nos níveis de ansiedade, estresse e depressão, além de piora na qualidade do sono. Observou-se que a realização de atividade física e coping pré-estresse neste período serviram como fatores protetivos à saúde mental. Por outro lado, fatores como: sedentarismo, instabilidade econômica, ser do gênero feminino e ter tido Covid-19 se mostraram potencializadores à piora da saúde mental dos indivíduos., The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of publications that reported the assessment of the mental health of university students in Latin America specifically during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic. The databases used for research were: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Scielo to collect studies in english, spanish or portuguese. The database consultation took place in May 2022 and the descriptors adopted were: mental health, students and pandemic. The Boolean AND was used to combine the descriptors. Studies with undergraduates in institutions in Latin America were included, involving mental health and having been carried out during the period of social isolation. All publications that were not empirical studies, with other members of the academic community or in languages other than those used in the database consultation were excluded. The selection of eligible articles was carried out by two reviewers who assessed the quality of each study for subsequent data extraction. To synthesize the results, the thematic synthesis narrative approach was used. Were identified 6,150 publications initially, which resulted in 11 studies included after applying the eligibility criteria. The results reveal, with the exception of one study, that the quality of mental health of Latin American university students during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic reduced. The main impacts reported involve an increase in levels of anxiety, stress and depression, as well as worsening sleep quality. It was observed that physical activity and pre-stress coping during this period served as protective factors for mental health. On the other hand, factors such as: sedentary lifestyle, economic instability, being female and having had Covid-19 were shown to aggravate the declining of individuals' mental health., El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática de publicaciones que reportaron la evaluación de la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios en América Latina, específicamente durante el período de aislamiento social en la pandemia de Covid-19. Las bases de datos utilizadas para la investigación fueron: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo y Scielo para recolectar estudios en inglés, español o portugués. La consulta de la base de datos se realizó en mayo de 2022 y los descriptores adoptados fueron: salud mental, estudiantes y pandemia. Se utilizó el AND booleano para combinar los descriptores. Se incluyeron estudios con estudiantes de pregrado en instituciones de América Latina, que involucraran salud mental y que hubieran sido realizados durante el período de aislamiento social. Se excluyeron todas las publicaciones que no fueran estudios empíricos, con otros miembros de la comunidad académica o en idiomas distintos a los utilizados en la consulta de la base de datos. La selección de los artículos elegibles estuvo a cargo de dos revisores que evaluaron la calidad de cada estudio para la posterior extracción de datos. Para sintetizar los resultados se utilizó el enfoque narrativo de síntesis temática. Inicialmente se identificaron 6.150 publicaciones, lo que resultó en 11 estudios incluidos luego de aplicar los criterios de elegibilidad. Los resultados revelan, con excepción de un estudio, que la calidad de la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios latinoamericanos durante el período de aislamiento social en la pandemia de la Covid-19 se redujo. Los principales impactos reportados implican un aumento de los niveles de ansiedad, estrés y depresión, así como un empeoramiento de la calidad del sueño. Se observó que la actividad física y el afrontamiento preestrés durante este período sirvieron como factores protectores de la salud mental. Por otro lado, factores como: el sedentarismo, la inestabilidad económica, ser mujer y haber contraído Covid-19

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática de publicações que relataram a avaliação da saúde mental de estudantes universitários da América Latina especificamente durante o período de isolamento social na pandemia da Covid-19. As bases de dados utilizadas para pesquisa, foram: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo e Scielo para coleta de estudos em inglês, espanhol ou português. A consulta às bases ocorreu em maio de 2022 e os descritores adotados, foram: saúde mental, estudantes e pandemia. O booleano AND foi utilizado para combinação dos descritores. Foram incluídos estudos com graduandos em instituições da América Latina, envolvendo saúde mental e terem sido realizados durante o período de isolamento social. Foram excluídas todas as publicações que não fossem estudos empíricos, com outros membros da comunidade acadêmica ou em idiomas que não os da consulta às bases. A seleção de artigos elegíveis foi realizada por dois revisores que avaliaram a qualidade de cada um dos estudos para posterior extração dos dados. Para a síntese dos resultados foi utilizada a abordagem de narrativa de síntese temática. Foram identificadas 6.150 publicações inicialmente, que resultaram em 11 estudos incluídos após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade. Os resultados revelam, com exceção a um estudo, que a qualidade da saúde mental dos estudantes universitários latino-americanos durante o período de isolamento social na pandemia Covid-19 reduziu. Os impactos principais relatados envolvem aumento nos níveis de ansiedade, estresse e depressão, além de piora na qualidade do sono. Observou-se que a realização de atividade física e coping pré-estresse neste período serviram como fatores protetivos à saúde mental. Por outro lado, fatores como: sedentarismo, instabilidade econômica, ser do gênero feminino e ter tido Covid-19 se mostraram potencializadores à piora da saúde mental dos indivíduos., The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of publications that reported the assessment of the mental health of university students in Latin America specifically during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic. The databases used for research were: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Scielo to collect studies in english, spanish or portuguese. The database consultation took place in May 2022 and the descriptors adopted were: mental health, students and pandemic. The Boolean AND was used to combine the descriptors. Studies with undergraduates in institutions in Latin America were included, involving mental health and having been carried out during the period of social isolation. All publications that were not empirical studies, with other members of the academic community or in languages other than those used in the database consultation were excluded. The selection of eligible articles was carried out by two reviewers who assessed the quality of each study for subsequent data extraction. To synthesize the results, the thematic synthesis narrative approach was used. Were identified 6,150 publications initially, which resulted in 11 studies included after applying the eligibility criteria. The results reveal, with the exception of one study, that the quality of mental health of Latin American university students during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic reduced. The main impacts reported involve an increase in levels of anxiety, stress and depression, as well as worsening sleep quality. It was observed that physical activity and pre-stress coping during this period served as protective factors for mental health. On the other hand, factors such as: sedentary lifestyle, economic instability, being female and having had Covid-19 were shown to aggravate the declining of individuals' mental health., El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática de publicaciones que reportaron la evaluación de la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios en América Latina, específicamente durante el período de aislamiento social en la pandemia de Covid-19. Las bases de datos utilizadas para la investigación fueron: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo y Scielo para recolectar estudios en inglés, español o portugués. La consulta de la base de datos se realizó en mayo de 2022 y los descriptores adoptados fueron: salud mental, estudiantes y pandemia. Se utilizó el AND booleano para combinar los descriptores. Se incluyeron estudios con estudiantes de pregrado en instituciones de América Latina, que involucraran salud mental y que hubieran sido realizados durante el período de aislamiento social. Se excluyeron todas las publicaciones que no fueran estudios empíricos, con otros miembros de la comunidad académica o en idiomas distintos a los utilizados en la consulta de la base de datos. La selección de los artículos elegibles estuvo a cargo de dos revisores que evaluaron la calidad de cada estudio para la posterior extracción de datos. Para sintetizar los resultados se utilizó el enfoque narrativo de síntesis temática. Inicialmente se identificaron 6.150 publicaciones, lo que resultó en 11 estudios incluidos luego de aplicar los criterios de elegibilidad. Los resultados revelan, con excepción de un estudio, que la calidad de la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios latinoamericanos durante el período de aislamiento social en la pandemia de la Covid-19 se redujo. Los principales impactos reportados implican un aumento de los niveles de ansiedad, estrés y depresión, así como un empeoramiento de la calidad del sueño. Se observó que la actividad física y el afrontamiento preestrés durante este período sirvieron como factores protectores de la salud mental. Por otro lado, factores como: el sedentarismo, la inestabilidad económica, ser mujer y haber contraído Covid-19

Social isolation is considered to be an important indicator of public health, which is closely related to health outcomes such as readmission rate, co-morbidity, mortality, depression, cognitive decline and quality of life of disabled elderly people. However, not enough is known about the experiences of social isolation in older persons with disabilities.This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of social isolation in disabled older adults. Disabled people over 60 years old were purposively sampled to participate in a semi-structured interview steered by a topic guide to collect data. Interviews were audio recorded, and analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis. Demographic and clinical data of the subjects were investigated by questionnaire before the semi- structured interview. Disabled elderly were recruited in Shamen Community Health Service Centre, Henan Province, China. One-on-one face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants in the central office. 12 disabled seniors participated in semi- structured interviews. Six themes were extracted from data. These themes were as follows: (1) Self-factors that produce social isolation;(2)Family factors that produce social isolation;(3)Environmental factors that produce social isolation;(4)The inner experience of social isolation;(5)Social support strategies to prevent social isolation;(6)Positive psychological adjustment to disability. The experiences of social isolation of disabled elderly people are influenced by many factors. Improving this situation requires helping them to understand the dangers of social isolation, improve self-efficacy, develop new attitudes of social connection, and build strong, supportive and sustainable social connections with other older adults.

Social isolation is considered to be an important indicator of public health, which is closely related to health outcomes such as readmission rate, co-morbidity, mortality, depression, cognitive decline and quality of life of disabled elderly people. However, not enough is known about the experiences of social isolation in older persons with disabilities.This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of social isolation in disabled older adults. Disabled people over 60 years old were purposively sampled to participate in a semi-structured interview steered by a topic guide to collect data. Interviews were audio recorded, and analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis. Demographic and clinical data of the subjects were investigated by questionnaire before the semi- structured interview. Disabled elderly were recruited in Shamen Community Health Service Centre, Henan Province, China. One-on-one face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants in the central office. 12 disabled seniors participated in semi- structured interviews. Six themes were extracted from data. These themes were as follows: (1) Self-factors that produce social isolation;(2)Family factors that produce social isolation;(3)Environmental factors that produce social isolation;(4)The inner experience of social isolation;(5)Social support strategies to prevent social isolation;(6)Positive psychological adjustment to disability. The experiences of social isolation of disabled elderly people are influenced by many factors. Improving this situation requires helping them to understand the dangers of social isolation, improve self-efficacy, develop new attitudes of social connection, and build strong, supportive and sustainable social connections with other older adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of loneliness (De Jong Gierveld scale) and isolation (Lubben scale) on the effects of a hospital-based exercise programme. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial. Setting: Acute Geriatric Unit of a tertiary hospital in Spain. Participants: 103 hospitalised older adults. Intervention: Individualised multicomponent exercise program (20-minute sessions twice a day for 3 consecutive days). Results: Among the 103 randomised patients included in the analysis (both arms included), 58.3% were male, and their mean age was 87.3 (4.5) years. According to the Lubben scale, 15.8% of patients were at risk of isolation, while 62.7% were in a situation of severe or moderate loneliness according to the De Jong Gierveld scale. In the nonisolated group, training showed a substantial positive impact on Geriatric Depression Scale (B = -1.25, 95% CI = -0.24 to -0.27). In the isolated group, all outcomes improved, but only the Quality of Life showed significant changes (B = 35, 95% CI = 4.96-35.8). The SPPB test (B = 1.62, 95% CI = 0.19-3.04) and Quality of Life, (B = 17.1, 95% CI = 1.84-32.3) showed a significant improvement in the non-loneliness exercise group while no differences were found in the loneliness group. Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of loneliness and social isolation, individualised exercise programs provide significant benefits to hospitalised patients, especially in quality of life. (c) 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of SERDI Publisher. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Background: Social support (SS) and social isolation (SI) are social determinants of health (SDOH) associated with psychiatric outcomes. In electronic health records (EHRs), individual-level SS/SI is typically documented as narrative clinical notes rather than structured coded data. Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms can automate the otherwise labor-intensive process of data extraction. Data and Methods: Psychiatric encounter notes from Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS, n=300) and Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM, n=225) were annotated and established a gold standard corpus. A rule-based system (RBS) involving lexicons and a large language model (LLM) using FLAN-T5-XL were developed to identify mentions of SS and SI and their subcategories (e.g., social network, instrumental support, and loneliness). Results: For extracting SS/SI, the RBS obtained higher macro-averaged f-scores than the LLM at both MSHS (0.89 vs. 0.65) and WCM (0.85 vs. 0.82). For extracting subcategories, the RBS also outperformed the LLM at both MSHS (0.90 vs. 0.62) and WCM (0.82 vs. 0.81). Discussion and Conclusion: Unexpectedly, the RBS outperformed the LLMs across all metrics. Intensive review demonstrates that this finding is due to the divergent approach taken by the RBS and LLM. The RBS were designed and refined to follow the same specific rules as the gold standard annotations. Conversely, the LLM were more inclusive with categorization and conformed to common English-language understanding. Both approaches offer advantages and are made available open-source for future testing., Comment: 2 figures, 3 tables

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory in May 2023, calling attention to "the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country." Out-of-hospital (OOH) birth, defined as birth that is planned to occur and completed in a home or birth center, has been increasing in Utah and nationally for the past 2 decades This publication also includes: 1) Spotlights: Impact of the School Stock Albuterol Program in Utah; and 2) Monthly Health Indicators Report.

BACKGROUND: Mobility assessments are commonly used among older adults as risk stratification for falls, preoperative function, frailty, and mortality. We determined if gait speed and self-reported difficulty walking are similarly associated with social isolation and loneliness, which are key markers of social well-being and linked to health outcomes. METHODS: We used 2015-2016 data from the National Social life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), an in-person nationally-representative survey of 2640 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years old. We measured gait speed (timed 3-m walk: unable to walk, ≥5.7 s, and <5.7 s), and self-reported difficulty walking one block or across the room (unable, much, some, or no difficulty). Social measures included loneliness (3-item UCLA scale), social isolation (12-item scale), and individual social activities (frequency socializing, religious participation, community participation, and volunteering). We used logistic regression to determine the adjusted probability of each social measure by gait speed and difficulty walking, adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics, and tested for interaction terms with age. RESULTS: Participants were on average 75 years old (SD = 7.1), 54% female, 9% Black/African American, and 6% Hispanic. Difficulty walking one block was associated with (p < 0.05): social isolation (much difficulty: 26% vs no difficulty: 18%), low socializing (33% vs 19%), low volunteering (67% vs 53%), low community participation (54% vs 43%), low religious participation (51% vs 46%), and loneliness (25% vs 14%). Difficulty walking across the room was similarly strongly associated with social isolation and individual activities. The association between self-reported difficulty walking and social isolation was stronger at older ages (p-value of interaction <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported mobility difficulty is a widely used clinical assessment that is strongly associated with loneliness and social isolat

Denna studie avsåg att bättre förstå social isolation bland unga från perspektivet av en socialarbetare genom att svara på följande frågor: Hur arbetar socialarbetare med isolerade unga, varför blir unga isolerade och slutligen vilken konsekvens social isolation får för de som är isolerade. Studien använde sig av en kvalitativ forskningsansats för att svara på dessa frågor genom att använda sig av semistrukturerade intervjuer som analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Det empiriska materialet analyserades utifrån ett systemteoretiskt perspektiv och analys utifrån den sociala modellen. Empirin i studien kommer från sex stycken intervjuer med socialarbetare. Resultatet av studien tyder på att socialarbetare använder sig av olika verktyg för att arbeta med socialt isolerade ungdomar, samtliga tar upp relationsskapande som ett exempel. Anledningarna till att ungdomarna blir isolerade kan vara olika, gemensamma resultat var autism, depression, avsaknad av socialt sammanhang, otillräckligt stöd från föräldrar och slutligen internetanvändning. Konsekvenser för de socialt isolerade ungdomar varierar mellan ungdom till ungdom men återkommande tema var försämrad sociala färdigheter, fysisk hälsa och mental hälsa. Vår slutsats blev att social isolation är ett omfattande problem med ett flertal olika aspekter som behöver särskild hänsyn och socialarbetare arbetar ständigt med sin förståelse av situationen och utgår främst från den unge själv och i sitt arbete ändvänder de sig av relationskapande som sitt främsta verktyg., This study sought to better understand social isolation among youths from the perspective of social workers by answering the following questions. How do social workers work with isolated youths, why do youths become isolated and finally what consequences does social isolation cause for youths. The study used a qualitative research approach to answer these questions by also using qualitative content analysis along with perspectives rooted in general systems theory and the social model. The empirical data in this study comes from six interviews with social workers along with prior research. The results of this study suggest that social workers use various tools when working with socially isolated youths, among these all six social workers mention relationship building as an example. The reasons youth socially isolate can vary, common results were autism, depression, a lack of social context, lacking support from parents and finally internet use. Personal consequences for socially isolated youths varied from youth to youth but recurring themes were weakened social skills, physical health and mental health. Our conclusion became that social isolation is a broad problem with several different aspects that need special consideration and social workers are constantly working with their understanding of the situation and proceed from the youths themselves by utilizing relationship building techniques as their primary tool.

Denna studie avsåg att bättre förstå social isolation bland unga från perspektivet av en socialarbetare genom att svara på följande frågor: Hur arbetar socialarbetare med isolerade unga, varför blir unga isolerade och slutligen vilken konsekvens social isolation får för de som är isolerade. Studien använde sig av en kvalitativ forskningsansats för att svara på dessa frågor genom att använda sig av semistrukturerade intervjuer som analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Det empiriska materialet analyserades utifrån ett systemteoretiskt perspektiv och analys utifrån den sociala modellen. Empirin i studien kommer från sex stycken intervjuer med socialarbetare. Resultatet av studien tyder på att socialarbetare använder sig av olika verktyg för att arbeta med socialt isolerade ungdomar, samtliga tar upp relationsskapande som ett exempel. Anledningarna till att ungdomarna blir isolerade kan vara olika, gemensamma resultat var autism, depression, avsaknad av socialt sammanhang, otillräckligt stöd från föräldrar och slutligen internetanvändning. Konsekvenser för de socialt isolerade ungdomar varierar mellan ungdom till ungdom men återkommande tema var försämrad sociala färdigheter, fysisk hälsa och mental hälsa. Vår slutsats blev att social isolation är ett omfattande problem med ett flertal olika aspekter som behöver särskild hänsyn och socialarbetare arbetar ständigt med sin förståelse av situationen och utgår främst från den unge själv och i sitt arbete ändvänder de sig av relationskapande som sitt främsta verktyg., This study sought to better understand social isolation among youths from the perspective of social workers by answering the following questions. How do social workers work with isolated youths, why do youths become isolated and finally what consequences does social isolation cause for youths. The study used a qualitative research approach to answer these questions by also using qualitative content analysis along with perspectives rooted in general systems theory and the social model. The empirical data in this study comes from six interviews with social workers along with prior research. The results of this study suggest that social workers use various tools when working with socially isolated youths, among these all six social workers mention relationship building as an example. The reasons youth socially isolate can vary, common results were autism, depression, a lack of social context, lacking support from parents and finally internet use. Personal consequences for socially isolated youths varied from youth to youth but recurring themes were weakened social skills, physical health and mental health. Our conclusion became that social isolation is a broad problem with several different aspects that need special consideration and social workers are constantly working with their understanding of the situation and proceed from the youths themselves by utilizing relationship building techniques as their primary tool.

Objectives. Due to increasing pressure on healthcare resources, knowledge of factors that affect healthcare utilization (HCU) is important. However, the evidence of a longitudinal association between loneliness and social isolation respectively, and HCU is limited. The present prospective cohort study investigated the association of loneliness and social isolation with HCU in the general population over time. Method. Data from the 2013 Danish “How are you?” survey (n = 27.501) were combined with individual-level register data with almost complete follow-up over a 6-year follow-up period (2013–2018). Negative binomial regression analyses were performed while adjusting for baseline demographics and preexisting chronic disease. Results. Loneliness measured was significantly associated with more general practice contacts (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.04]), more emergency treatments (IRR = 1.06, [1.03, 1.10]), more emergency admissions (IRR = 1.06, [1.03, 1.10]), and hospital admission days (IRR = 1.05, [1.00, 1.11]) across the 6-year follow-up period. No significant associations were found between social isolation and HCU with one minor exception, in which social isolation was associated with fewer planned outpatient treatments (IRR = 0.97, [0.94, 0.99]). Wald test demonstrated that the association of loneliness with emergency admissions and hospital admissions days was not significantly different from the effects of social isolation on those outcomes. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that loneliness slightly increased the number of general practice contacts and emergency room treatments. Overall, the effects of loneliness and social isolation on HCU were small., OBJECTIVES: Due to increasing pressure on healthcare resources, knowledge of factors that affect healthcare utilization (HCU) is important. However, the evidence of a longitudinal association between loneliness and social isolation respectively, and HCU is limited. The present prospective cohort study investigated the association of loneliness and social isolation with HCU in the general population over time.METHOD: Data from the 2013 Danish "How are you?" survey (n = 27.501) were combined with individual-level register data with almost complete follow-up over a 6-year follow-up period (2013-2018). Negative binomial regression analyses were performed while adjusting for baseline demographics and preexisting chronic disease.RESULTS: Loneliness measured was significantly associated with more general practice contacts (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.04]), more emergency treatments (IRR = 1.06, [1.03, 1.10]), more emergency admissions (IRR = 1.06, [1.03, 1.10]), and hospital admission days (IRR = 1.05, [1.00, 1.11]) across the 6-year follow-up period. No significant associations were found between social isolation and HCU with one minor exception, in which social isolation was associated with fewer planned outpatient treatments (IRR = 0.97, [0.94, 0.99]). Wald test demonstrated that the association of loneliness with emergency admissions and hospital admissions days was not significantly different from the effects of social isolation on those outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that loneliness slightly increased the number of general practice contacts and emergency room treatments. Overall, the effects of loneliness and social isolation on HCU were small. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The detrimental effects of social isolation on physical and mental health are well known. Social isolation is also known to be associated with criminal behavior, thus burdening not only the affected individual but society in general. Forensic psychiatric patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are at a particularly high risk for lacking social integration and support due to their involvement with the criminal justice system and their severe mental illness. The present study aims to exploratively evaluate factors associated with social isolation in a unique sample of forensic psychiatric patients with SSD using supervised machine learning (ML) in a sample of 370 inpatients. Out of >500 possible predictor variables, 5 emerged as most influential in the ML model: attention disorder, alogia, crime motivated by ego disturbances, total PANSS score, and a history of negative symptoms. With a balanced accuracy of 69% and an AUC of 0.74, the model showed a substantial performance in differentiating between patients with and without social isolation. The findings show that social isolation in forensic psychiatric patients with SSD is mainly influenced by factors related to illness and psychopathology instead of factors related to the committed offences, e.g., the severity of the crime.

Introduktion: Ensamhet liksom social isolering bland äldre är ett folkhälsoproblem som återfinns i stora delar av världen. Antalet äldre personer förväntas öka exponentiellt inom de närmsta årtiondena. Därmed förväntas även prevalensen av ensamhetsdrabbade äldre att öka. Den sociala kontakten minskar med stigande ålder till följd av bland annat ökad sjukdomsbörda. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur internetanvändning i form av social gemenskap kan reducera ensamhet och social isolering bland äldre människor. Metod: Studien baserades på en strukturerad litteraturstudie. Totalt har 11 vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderats i litteraturundersökningen. Artiklarna analyserades utifrån en tematisk analys och utgick från en deduktiv ansats. Resultat: Den tematiska analysen resulterade i fyra huvudteman; förbättrad hälsostatus, distansvänlig kommunikation, digitala tillgångar och resurser, samt delaktighet – en del av förebyggandet. Ytterligare sju sub-teman identifierades; mindre ensamhet och social isolering, upprätthålla sociala relationer, digital kommunikation som komplement, lättanvända enheter och funktioner, brist på kunskap och erfarenhet, utbildning och stöd samt möjlighet till att påverka egen hälsa och välbefinnande. Slutsats: I stort sett finns det en del evidens som pekar åt att internetanvändning kan påverka äldres hälsostatus positivt och därmed minska ensamhet och social isolering. Dock förekommer barriärer, motgångar samt faktorer som bör tas i beaktande för att göra det möjligt för målgruppen att ta del av digitala möjligheter som finns tillgängliga och även underlätta användningen av dem., Introduction: Loneliness and social isolation among elderly are public health problems found in large parts of the world. Elderly people are expected to increase exponentially within the next few decades. Thus, the prevalence of lonely elderly people is also expected to increase. Social contact decreases with increasing age as a result of, among other factors, an increased burden of illness. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate how internet use in the form of social connection can reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people. Method: The study was based on a structured literature review. A total of 11 scientific articles have been included in the literature review. The articles were investigated through a thematic analysis with a deductive approach. Results: The thematic analysis has resulted in four main themes; improved health status, distance-friendly communication, digital assets and resources, as well as participation – part of prevention. Additionally, seven sub-themes were identified; less loneliness and social isolation, maintaining social relationships, digital communication as a complement, easy-to-use devices and functions, lack of knowledge and experience, education and support, and the opportunity to influence own health and well-being. Conclusion: Altogether, there is some evidence that indicates that internet use can positively affect the health status of older people and thus reduce loneliness and social isolation. However, there are barriers, obstacles, and factors that should be taken into consideration to enable the target group to take advantage of digital opportunities that are available and also facilitate their use.

The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways challenged the health and well-being of people, and more widely, the welfare systems in the Nordic countries. Due to regulations and lockdowns, many people have experienced social isolation, and certain vulnerable groups – such as older adults and those with disabilities – have been hit especially hard. As loneliness has implications for people’s long-term mental and physical health, the consequences of the pandemic are significant for health and social care as a whole. This literature review describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation among younger and older adults living in the Nordic countries, with and without disabilities, and in different situations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways challenged the health and well-being of people, and more widely, the welfare systems in the Nordic countries. Due to regulations and lockdowns, many people have experienced social isolation, and certain vulnerable groups – such as older adults and those with disabilities – have been hit especially hard. As loneliness has implications for people’s long-term mental and physical health, the consequences of the pandemic are significant for health and social care as a whole. This report presents cases of what was done in the Nordic region to alleviate loneliness during the pandemic. The material for this report was collected between June and September 2022. The five Nordic examples show that there are many ways to tackle social isolation and loneliness.

The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways challenged the health and well-being of people, and more widely, the welfare systems in the Nordic countries. Due to regulations and lockdowns, many people have experienced social isolation, and certain vulnerable groups – such as older adults and those with disabilities – have been hit especially hard. As loneliness has implications for people’s long-term mental and physical health, the consequences of the pandemic are significant for health and social care as a whole. This literature review describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation among younger and older adults living in the Nordic countries, with and without disabilities, and in different situations.

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic tends to affect older adults more severely, raising the need for social isolation in this age population. Social isolation is likely to impact older adults’ social ties and quality of life, as well as the risk for illness and health. Objective: This study is a narrative literature review to evaluate the potential effects of social isolation on the mental health and well-being of older adults. Methods: A literature search performed between January 1, 2020, and January 13, 2021, comprised an electronic search on different online databases in PubMed and ScienceDirect using the keywords COVID-19 followed by generic terms older adults or older people or aging population or elderly. Excluding duplicates, a total of 376 articles were screened, of which 21 studies were included in the final review. Results: Many older people could be mentally well-equipped to deal with social isolation, but some experience a negative impact on mental health. Stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms were reported during the self-isolation period. Physical activity also has declined among older adults amid COVID-19. Some elderly who are not moving much may lose significant muscle strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Conclusion: If social isolation continues, policy responses such as proactively identifying and addressing COVID-19 for the elderly who are experiencing negative consequences. An effective solution such as “distance connectivity” and creating safe physical activity such as home exercise is recommended.

Bakgrund Ensamhet och social isolering är en växande utmaning i takt med att befolkningen blir äldre. I vissa länder är det upp till en tredjedel av de äldre personerna som upplever ensamhet. Ensamheten och den sociala isoleringen kan ha negativa hälsoeffekter samt leda till ökade behov av sjukvård. Trots att äldre personer som upplever ensamhet och social isolering uppsöker hälso- och sjukvården i högre grad blir den här gruppen ofta förbisedd. Detta till följd av en brist på tid samt kunskap och medvetenhet om problemområdet hos vårdpersonal. Syfte Syftet var att belysa äldre personers upplevelse av ensamhet och social isolering. Metod En icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt genomfördes baserat på 19 vetenskapliga originalartiklar med kvalitativ och kvantitativ design. De inkluderade artiklarna inhämtades i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Samtliga artiklar har genomgått en kvalitetsgranskning utifrån Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsmall. Artiklarna analyserades med integrerad dataanalys. Resultat Tre huvudkategorier identifierades; Ensamhetens upplevda ursprung, Upplevda känslor relaterade till ensamhet och Upplevda hanteringsstrategier mot ensamhet. Resultatet visade att ensamhet upplevdes orsakas av den åldrande kroppen, förlusten och frånvaron av viktiga personer, av en avsaknad av meningsfulla aktiviteter samt personlighetsdrag. Ensamhet och social isolering kunde leda till känslor av tomhet, övergivenhet och hopplöshet men även till positiva upplevelser. Hanteringsstrategier mot ensamheten handlade om acceptans och anpassning samt attityder och inställning. Vidare framkom tro och spiritualitet, aktiviteter och relationer som viktiga hanteringsstrategier. Slutsats Litteraturstudien visade att upplevelsen av ensamhet och social isolering innefattade såväl fysiska, sociala som emotionella aspekter. Främst kunde upplevelsen kopplas till ett lidande hos den äldre personen. En ökad förståelse och kunskap om hur äldre personer upplever ensamhet och social isolering k, Background Loneliness and social isolation are growing challenges as the population ages. In some countries up to a third of older persons experience loneliness. Loneliness and social isolation can have negative health effects and lead to an increased need for healthcare. Despite the fact that older persons who experience loneliness and social isolation seek health care to a greater extent, this group is often overlooked. This is due to a lack of time as well as knowledge and awareness of the problem on the part of healthcare staff. Aim The aim was to describe elderly persons’ experience of loneliness and social isolation. Method A non-systematic literature review was conducted based on 19 original articles with a qualitative and quantitative design. The included articles were retrieved from the databases PubMed and CINAHL. All articles have undergone a quality review based on Sophiahemmet University's assessment template. The articles were analyzed using integrated data analysis. Results Three main categories were identified; Perceived origins of loneliness, feelings related to loneliness and coping strategies against loneliness. The results showed that loneliness was perceived to be caused by the aging body, the absence and loss of important persons, by a lack of meaningful activities and by a person's personality traits. Loneliness and social isolation could lead to feelings of emptiness, abandonment and hopelessness but also to positive experiences. Coping strategies included acceptance and adaptation as well as attitudes. Furthermore, faith and spirituality, activities and relationships emerged as important coping strategies. Conclusions This literature review showed that the experience of loneliness and social isolation included physical, social and emotional aspects. Mainly, the experience could be linked to suffering for the elderly person. An increased understanding and knowledge of how older persons experience loneliness and social isolation can raise