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Sensory Disabilities and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Toward Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation.
- Source :
- Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences; Nov2022, Vol. 77 Issue 11, p2091-2100, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Objectives Sensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism. Methods We compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing 2 measures of social isolation. Results Social isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants. Discussion Initially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- STRUCTURAL equation modeling
HEALTH policy
SOCIAL support
RESEARCH evaluation
SENSORY disorders
HISPANIC Americans
SELF-evaluation
RACE
SOCIAL isolation
HEARING disorders
INTERPERSONAL relations
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
VISION disorders
WHITE people
FAMILY relations
CULTURAL awareness
CULTURAL values
LONGITUDINAL method
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10795014
- Volume :
- 77
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 160376915
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac001