The impact of differences between subjective and objective social class on life satisfaction among the Korean population in early old age: Analysis of Korean longitudinal study on aging

BackgroundSeveral previous studies have established the relationship between the effects of socioeconomic status or subjective social strata on life satisfaction. However, no previous study has examined the relationship between social class and life satisfaction in terms of a disparity between subjective and objective social status.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between differences in subjective and objective social class and life satisfaction.MethodsData from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging with 8252 participants aged 45 or older was used. Life satisfaction was measured by the question, “How satisfied are you with your quality of life?” The main independent variable was differences in objective (income and education) and subjective social class, which was classified according to nine categories (ranging from high-high to low-low). This association was investigated by linear mixed model due to two waves data nested within individuals.ResultsLower social class (income, education, subjective social class) was associated with dissatisfaction. The impact of objective and subjective social class on life satisfaction varied according to the level of differences in objective and subjective social class. Namely, an individual’s life satisfaction declined as objective social classes decreased at the same level of subjective social class (i.e., HH, MH, LH). In both dimensions of objective social class (education and income), an individual’s life satisfaction declined as subjective social class decreased by one level (i.e., HH, HM, HL).ConclusionOur findings indicated that social supports is needed to improve the life satisfaction among the population aged 45 or more with low social class. The government should place increased focus on policies that encourage not only the life satisfaction of the Korean elderly with low objective social class, but also subjective social class.     

Combatting social isolation and increasing social participation of older adults through the use of technology: A systematic review of existing evidence

Objectives

There are growing concerns that social isolation presents risks to older people's health and well‐being. Thus, the objective of the review was to explore how technology is currently being utilised to combat social isolation and increase social participation, hence improving social outcomes for older people.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted across the social science and human‐computer interaction databases.

Results

A total of 36 papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using a four‐step process. Findings were threefold, suggesting that: (i) technologies principally utilised social network services and touch‐screen technologies; (ii) social outcomes are often ill‐defined or not defined at all; and (iii) methodologies used to evaluate interventions were often limited and small‐scale.

Conclusion

Results suggest a need for studies that examine new and innovative forms of technology, evaluated with rigorous methodologies, and drawing on clear definitions about how these technologies address social isolation/participation.     

Growing old and lonely in different societies: Toward a comparative perspective

The main argument of this paper is that the subjective experience of loneliness among older people must be analyzed in relation to the overall value system of society or the subcultural values of particular segments of society. Cultural or subcultural value systems are contrasted in terms of whether they give priority to individualistic values or to collective values such as family or community bonds. These differences in value systems result in important differences in people's social contacts and socioemotional bonding experiences as well as their level of satisfaction with a given level of social relationships. It is suggested that these differences must be looked at in relation to basic human needs for social bonding as well as needs for individuation. The concept of the loneliness threshold is introduced to identify the level of social contacts that individuals desire to avoid the experience of loneliness or emotional isolation.We would like to express our appreciation to this journals anonymous reviewers for their critiques and constructive suggestions.     

A snapshot of social activities programs in residential aged care facilities in Victoria: A brief report

Objectives

To capture current opportunities for social participation for older people living in residential aged care in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

A postal survey of all 766 Victorian residential aged care facilities. Respondents were asked to outline the nature of social participation opportunities available to residents, any potential barriers to inclusion and organisational commitments such as funding allocations and staff fractions.

Results

Surveys were returned by 153 facilities, representing a response rate of 20%. All facilities had a dedicated social program, although just over half (57%; 87 of 153) offered the social program over the weekend, usually on a Saturday morning only (90%). Barriers to older people's opportunities for social participation included their ineligibility to continue attending external community programs once entering residential aged care (86%), their illness (71%), carer availability (50%) and lack of funding (42%). Funding for almost all programs (128 of 153; 84%) was described as internal and ad hoc, and staff allocations for the program were almost entirely fractional. Only 12 (8%) facilities reported that they had a dedicated full-time coordinator for the social participation program.

Conclusions

Social participation programs are available in Victorian residential aged care facilities. However, limited funding and staff allocations reduce the opportunities for older people to engage in meaningful social participation with others.     

Impact of COVID-19 policies on perceptions of loneliness in people aged 75 years and over in the cognitive function and aging study (CFAS II)

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures have profoundly impacted society and social contact patterns, with older people disproportionately affected. Concerns have been raised about a resulting pandemic of loneliness in older people, although the current evidence is mixed. This study provides a unique perspective on the prevalence of loneliness in a population cohort of older people before the pandemic, followed up after the introduction of social restrictions.

Methods

Data analysis was conducted using Wave 3 of the longitudinal Cognitive Function and Aging Study II (2018–2019) and a sub-study focusing on experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). The sample comprised 379 adults aged over 75 living in Cambridge, Newcastle, and Nottingham. Multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of prevalent loneliness, adjusted for confounding covariates, during the pandemic. The prevalence of loneliness during the pandemic was compared to loneliness in 2018–2019.

Results

Prevalence of loneliness in this sample during the pandemic was 25.1% (95% CI 20.9%–29.7%) compared to 17.2% (95% CI 13.7%–21.3%) in 2018–2019 (χ² = 14.1, p < 0.01). Variables associated with increased odds of prevalent loneliness included: prior loneliness, living alone, female gender, living in an area of higher deprivation, frequent pre-pandemic social contact at community groups, and separation from family during the pandemic, adjusted for age and sex. Weekly technology-mediated contact using telephone or video calls was associated with lower odds of loneliness.

Conclusions

COVID-19 recovery plans should address loneliness in older people. Target groups should include those who have previously been lonely, people who live alone, those living in deprived areas, and those who had previously been socially active through community groups.     

Physical limitations and loneliness: The role of guilt related to self-perception as a burden

Background

Limitations in performing physical activities have been associated with greater loneliness in older adults. This association could be moderated by maladaptive social cognition or feelings, such as guilt related to perceiving oneself as a burden. This study analyzes the effect of guilt related to self-perception as a burden on the relationship between physical limitations and loneliness in older adults.

Methods

Participants were 190 community-dwelling people aged over 60 years who did not show cognitive or functional limitations in daily life activities. We used linear regression to test the influence of guilt related to self-perception as a burden on the association between physical limitations and loneliness.

Results

The interaction between physical limitations and guilt related to self-perception as a burden was found to be significant in the explanation of loneliness, explaining 18.10% of the variance. Specifically, the relationship between physical limitations and loneliness was stronger when levels of guilt related to self-perception as a burden were high or medium than when these levels were low.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that feelings of loneliness are more frequent in people who report more physical limitations and, at the same time, report guilt for perceiving themselves as a burden. Guilt related to perceiving oneself as a burden seems to be a relevant modulator variable for understanding the effects of physical limitations on loneliness.     

Free public transport and older people: An ethnographic study of an Australian bus service

Objectives

This study explores older people's use of a free bus service in Wollongong, Australia. The research focus was on understanding the experiences of people over the age of 60 who use the service and the extent to which it contributes to their physical, mental and social well-being.

Methods

The ethnographic research utilised fieldwork and interviews for data collection. Participant observations took place on the bus, and interviews were undertaken at bus stops. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results

The research highlighted how bus services can be caring places for older people and a bus journey could be characterised as a therapeutic milieu. Travelling on the bus provided opportunities for health promotion due to active transport. Subsidised access to public transport supported people to maintain social connections throughout the city.

Conclusions

Bus travel has contributed positively to the physical, mental and social well-being of people over the age of 60 in Wollongong.     

The demographics of loneliness among older people in Perth,Western Australia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and demographic correlates of loneliness in a sample of older people in Perth, Western Australia. Methods: People aged 65 years and over living in private dwellings were recruited randomly, stratified by socioeconomic area, sex and 5‐year age groups to 85 years. A total of 353 people with mean age of 77.5 years responded to a mailed questionnaire comprising demographic questions and three measures of loneliness. Results: Severe loneliness was reported by 7.0% of the sample and feeling lonely sometimes by 31.5%. Higher levels of loneliness were reported by single participants, those who lived alone and those with worse self‐rated health. The protective value against loneliness of social networks appears to be, in order of importance: friends, relatives, neighbours and children. Conclusions: Although loneliness is not universally reported by older Perth residents, its prevalence is still considerable and worthy of attention from mental health practitioners and policy‐makers.     

Einsamkeittrends in der zweiten Lebenshälfte

Background and research questions

In the current paper, it is analyzed whether the extent of loneliness of adults in the second half of their lives has changed between 1996 and 2008 in Germany. Because patterns of objective social integration have evolved differently in different birth cohorts (familial integration in earlier birth cohorts more fragile, more solid in later birth cohorts), we expected different trends in the extent of loneliness in different birth cohorts.

Design and methods

The three waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) constitute the database for the analysis: 1996 (n?=?3,979), 2002 (n?=?2,766) and 2008 (n?=?4,392). Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. The German Ageing Survey (DEAS) is a nationwide representative survey of the German population aged 40–85 years.

Results

Only a minority of people report being very lonely in the second part of life. Between 1996 and 2008, there is a positive trend in the extent of loneliness in the second half of life, i.e., the prevalence of loneliness decreased during this period of time. From 1996 to 2008, the youngest respondents (40–54 years of age) and the middle aged respondents (55–69 years) demonstrated a decline from 1996 to 2002 followed by an increase in loneliness between 2002 and 2008. The oldest respondents (70–85 years of age) experienced a steady decline in loneliness. Gender differences (men are somewhat lonelier than women) remain stable between 1996 and 2008.

Discussion and conclusion

While people who are currently old are socially well integrated and, hence, experience loneliness only to a small degree, there is a higher risk for persons who are currently in middle adulthood because their social networks have become increasingly more fragile. Further changes have to be observed.     

Do social networks affect the use of residential aged care among older Australians?

Background

Older people's social networks with family and friends can affect residential aged care use. It remains unclear if there are differences in the effects of specific (with children, other relatives, friends and confidants) and total social networks upon use of low-level residential care and nursing homes.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Six waves of data from 1477 people aged ≥ 70 collected over nine years of follow-up were used. Multinomial logistic regressions of the effects of specific and total social networks on residential care use were carried out. Propensity scores were used in the analyses to adjust for differences in participant's health, demographic and lifestyle characteristics with respect to social networks.

Results

Higher scores for confidant networks were protective against nursing home use (odds ratio [OR] upper versus lower tertile of confidant networks = 0.50; 95%CI 0.33–0.75). Similarly, a significant effect of upper versus lower total network tertile on nursing home use was observed (OR = 0.62; 95%CI 0.43–0.90). Evidence of an effect of children networks on nursing home use was equivocal. Nursing home use was not predicted by other relatives or friends social networks. Use of lower-level residential care was unrelated to social networks of any type. Social networks of any type did not have a significant effect upon low-level residential care use.

Discussion

Better confidant and total social networks predict nursing home use in a large cohort of older Australians. Policy needs to reflect the importance of these particular relationships in considering where older people want to live in the later years of life.     

Soziale Integration und Lebenszufriedenheit kinderloser Frauen und M?nner im mittleren und h?heren Erwachsenenalter

Objectives

Adult children are important members of the social network of older persons. Children are particularly important in facilitating the social integration of the aged. Against this backdrop, this paper explores possible effects of childlessness on the social integration and life satisfaction of middle and older aged women and men.

Materials and methods

The data used in this study are drawn from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), an annual survey of private households in Germany. The analysis is restricted to respondents aged between 45 and 84 who live in a marital or nonmarital partnership. Multivariate models are used to examine the effect of childlessness on contacts with relatives and friends, civic, political, and religious participation, as well as life and family satisfaction.

Results

Cohabiting childless women and men in mid- and late life are only slightly less socially integrated than parents living in a partnership. Compared to parents, childless elders have fewer social contacts. However, childless men and women do not differ from empty nest parents in their civic, political and religious participation. Moreover, childless elders do not have a lower level of life satisfaction than mothers and fathers. Quite the contrary, childless men und women are happier than parents who coreside with their adult children.

Conclusions

The results presented here revise the common assumption that childlessness negatively affects the social integration and life satisfaction of middle- and older-aged persons.     

Determinants of life satisfaction and self-perception of ageing among elderly people in China: An exploratory study in comparison between physical and social functioning

ObjectiveThis study attempted to figure out the difference between physical and social functioning in determining life satisfaction and self-perception of ageing among community-dwelling elderly people in China.MethodsA representative random sample of 2161 participants aged 60 years or older was surveyed by face-to-face interview. Sociodemographic factors were measured by age, educational level, and marital status. Physical functioning was identified in terms of self-perceived health, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, and number of chronic illnesses. Social functioning was characterized in terms of number of people living together, social support network, and sense of loneliness. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were performed to identify significant determinants of life satisfaction and self-perception of ageing.ResultsOlder age and lower educational level were related to higher degree of life satisfaction; whereas younger age and higher educational level were related to higher level of self-perception of ageing. Social functioning took precedence over physical functioning in contributing to life satisfaction. In contrast, physical functioning outweighed social functioning in promoting a positive self-perception of ageing.ConclusionA sense of companionship and a supportive social network are vital in enhancing life satisfaction, whereas perceived physical health and functional independence are essential in facilitating a positive self-perception of ageing. Understanding the underlying determinants can provide a novel insight into the mechanism involved in achieving successful ageing.     

Age differences in meaning in life: Exploring the mediating role of social support

ObjectivesThree sets of analyses are performed in our study. First, following Erikson (1959), we hypothesized that the relationship between age and meaning becomes progressively stronger at successively older ages (i.e., the relationship is nonlinear). Second, following Carstensen (1992), we predicted that the relationship between age and social support (received support and satisfaction with support) becomes progressively stronger at successively older ages (i.e., these relationships are nonlinear, as well). Third, we proposed that the nonlinear relationship between age and meaning is mediated by the nonlinear social support constructs (i.e., received support and satisfaction with support).MethodsOur data were obtained from online interviews with a nationwide sample of adults of all ages (N = 2, 245).ResultsOur findings suggest there is a nonlinear relationship between age and meaning in life as well as a nonlinear relationship between age and each social support measure. Our data also indicate that the nonlinear effects of the social support measures mediate the nonlinear relationship between age and meaning in life.DiscussionFinding a sense of meaning may be facilitated by the supportive social networks that older people maintain.     

Does Race Moderate Social Support and Psychological Distress Among Rural Older Adults?

Greater social support is associated with decreased psychological distress among older adults. Researchers have found racial differences in psychological distress. Might race moderate social support and psychological distress? The authors hypothesized African American collectivistic values could increase the importance of social support. Participants were rural adults aged 60 and older (N = 100). Multiple regression analyses controlled for health, income, education, and sex. Race moderated satisfaction with social support and psychological distress. However, greater satisfaction predicted less psychological distress among Caucasians while it was not associated with African Americans’ distress in this sample. Achieving satisfaction with social support may be particularly important for Caucasians receiving therapy. Interventions may also address strategies to improve physical health, emotional support, and quality of social support, which significantly predicted psychological distress for both groups.     

How do older patients and their GPs evaluate shared decision-making in healthcare?

Background

Physical activity shows potential in combating the poor outcomes associated with depression in older people. Meta-analyses show gaps in the research with poor trial design compromising certainty in conclusions and few programmes showing sustained effects.

Methods/design

The Depression in Late Life: an Intervention Trial of Exercise (DeLLITE) is a 12 month randomised controlled trial of a physical activity intervention to increase functional status in people aged 75 years and older with depressive symptoms. The intervention involves an individualised activity programme based on goal setting and progression of difficulty of activities delivered by a trained nurse during 8 home visits over 6 months. The control group received time matched home visits to discuss social contacts and networks. Baseline, 6 and 12 months measures were assessed in face to face visits with the primary outcome being functional status (SPPB, NEADL). Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), quality of life (SF-36), physical activity (AHS Physical Activity Questionnaire) and falls (self report).

Discussion

Due to report in 2008 the DeLLITE study has recruited 70% of those eligible and tests the efficacy of a home based, goal setting physical activity programme in improving function, mood and quality of life in older people with depressive symptomatology. If successful in improving function and mood this trial could prove for the first time that there are long term health benefit of physical activity, independent of social activity, in this high risk group who consume excess health related costs.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12605000475640     

Exploring the perceptions of how living with osteoarthritis affects employed people's work productivity

Background

Working people with osteoarthritis (OA) can experience difficulties at work due to pain and activity limitation.

Objective

To explore the impact of biopsychosocial factors on work participation in employed people with OA.

Methods

An explorative, qualitative, semi-structured one-to-one telephone interview study. Employed people living with OA were recruited through an arthritis volunteer database and social media. Data was analysed using Thematic Analysis.

Findings

Participants (n = 15) included people with OA in any joints from mixture of careers. Themes were: (1) Effects of OA on work participation, (2) Impact of workplace support and accommodations on employment, and (3) Importance of clinical support and management.

Conclusion

Impact of OA on people's work productivity results in a spill over into their home lives. Work transitions and adaptations are not always available. Employers need to be educated to support employees to create a positive work environment and promote available workplace support.     

Measurement properties of the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale (MISS) in an elderly population in Sweden

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of health decline among older adults with clinically diagnosed community acquired pneumonia (CAP). It was hypothesized that older adults with CAP who had lower levels of social support would be more likely to report a decline in health.

Methods

A telephone survey was used to collect detailed information from older adults about their experiences with CAP. A broader determinants of health framework was used to guide data collection. This was a community wide study with participants being recruited from all radiology clinics in one Ontario community.

Results

The most important predictors of a health decline included: two symptoms (no energy; diaphoresis), two lifestyle variables (being very active; allowing people to smoke in their home), one quality of life variable (little difficulty in doing usual daily activities) and one social support variable (having siblings).

Conclusions

A multiplicity of factors was found to be associated with a decline in health among older adults with clinically diagnosed CAP. These findings may be useful to physicians, family caregivers and others for screening older adults and providing interventions to help ensure positive health outcomes.