Sociology Commons^™

Uncontrolled Burn: The Worker Well-Being Of Wildland Firefighters, Luke Santore

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: The available evidence indicates that wildland firefighters (WLFFs) are experiencing a well-being crisis. This study aims to assess predictors of both worker well-being and social and emotional loneliness among WLFFs.

Methods: An adapted version of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Worker Well-Being Questionnaire, along with the De Jong Gierveld Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Van Tilburg, 2010) was distributed between May and October of 2023. Nine ordinary least square linear regression models were estimated to test the impact of demographic and employment variables on well-being in the sample of 95 …

A Causal Discovery Exploration Of Determinants Of Social Isolation, Barry Nuqoba, Kenneth Choo, Yi Wen Tan, William Tov

ROSA Research Briefs

In this report, we explore the potential causes of social isolation among older adults in Singapore using causal discovery. We found an inferred causal relationship between perceived helpfulness and social isolation, where older adults who perceived themselves as helpful were less likely to perceive themselves as socially isolated. Our study also found that perceived isolation and loneliness may be distinct concepts among older adults in Singapore, with loneliness being more likely to precede social isolation. Policy recommendations include promoting a sense of helpfulness through programs such as volunteering to reduce social isolation.

Taking The Social Out Of Social Media: Social Media Induced Loneliness As A Mechanism For Elevated Depression During The Pandemic, Samara Rosen

Honors Theses

During the COVID-19 pandemic health protocols limited in-person interactions, interrupting the undergraduate experience and prompting students to find virtual ways to connect with their peers. A key goal of this study was to assess whether college students’ social media use was a viable replacement for in-person interactions during the pandemic, reducing risk for psychological difficulties that ordinarily accompany social isolation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate loneliness as a potential mediator underlying the longitudinal relationship between social media use and depression. Self-report data were collected in November 2020 (T1), February 2021 (T2), and May 2021 (T3). The …

Older Immigrants Are More Likely Than Older Nonimmigrants To Experience Loneliness, Stephanie Zemba, Janet Wilmoth

Population Health Research Brief Series

Loneliness in older adults is a growing U.S. population health problem, especially among immigrants This research brief explores the impact of age at immigration on loneliness and considers factors such as health, socio-demographic characteristics, and engagement in volunteering on loneliness. Findings demonstrate the need for programs that promote social connection among older adult immigrants to combat feelings of loneliness.

Socializing Targets Of Older Adults’ Sns Use: Social Strain Mediates The Relations Between Older Adults’ Sns Use With Friends And Well-Being Outcomes, Yue Qi Germaine Tng, Hwajin Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Studies have yielded mixed findings regarding the relation between older adults’ social networking site (SNS) use and well-being. Drawing on socioemotional selectivity theory, we sought to examine whether older adults’ SNS use with different socializing targets (i.e., family vs friends) would differentially predict global, social, and mental well-being outcomes indexed by life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Furthermore, we examined whether social support and social strain would mediate, in parallel, the relations between SNS use and well-being outcomes. We recruited healthy, community-dwelling older adults (ages 60–93 years, N = 69). Using the PROCESS macro, we found that SNS use …

Nursing Homes And Loneliness Among Older Adults In The United States, Camila Iciaszczyk

MA Research Paper

Many studies have revealed that older adults experience varying rates of loneliness depending on their living arrangements, yet few have been measured in nursing homes. I assess rates of loneliness among aging adults across different living arrangements, including nursing homes. Analyzing nationally representative longitudinal survey data from the United States, I observe older adults in all living arrangements and whether the transition into nursing homes is linked with increased rates of loneliness. Findings indicate that older adults living in nursing homes are at a 3.0 higher odds of experiencing loneliness compared to those living independently. When controlling for demographic and …

"It's The Way You Sing It": Translating Music Therapy For Isolated Older Adults Affected By Covid-19 To The Television Screen, Eunice Wong

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The current Covid-19 pandemic has increased the likelihood of loneliness and social isolation among older adults due to the restrictions on movement and visitations in care facilities. Loneliness and social isolation have consistently been identified as risk factors for poor mental and physical health in older people. Meanwhile, a growing number of older adults are utilizing technological resources to enhance their interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life. In the winter of 2020/2021, an innovative music therapy-informed television program was designed and produced for isolated older adults in need of mental and emotional support. This project, produced jointly by a …

Addressing Social Isolation And Loneliness In Older Adults: A Person-Centered Approach, Samantha K. Koyama

Social Sciences

The older adult population in the US is drastically increasing, but the country is not adequately prepared to handle all of the growing needs that come with this demographic change. A large reason for this being the general population’s lack of understanding of the various experiences that older adults go through. This paper aims to provide a thorough review of existing literature on the subject of social isolation and loneliness, especially as it pertains to the older adult experience. I also highlight the role the COVID-19 pandemic has played in exacerbating such issues. I discuss the difference between social isolation …

Promising Little Things To Strengthen Social Connections, Caitlin Coyle, Setarreh Massihzadegan

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

Unlike “best practices”, promising practices only require the successful implementation of a program or activity and some level of information that suggests a positive outcome for participants. One key advantage of using promising practices is that they can be adapted and there is flexibility in implementation styles and environments. As well, starting with a promising practice can help solve community problems, and save the trouble of reinventing the wheel. If someone has already found an effective way to resolve an issue or advance the cause, it makes sense to use it. The intention of this document is to alert those …

Crafting Character: Exploring Elder Identity Through Story, Cameron Fontes

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The following thesis is a culmination of several key activities I have engaged in as a creative writer with a single focus: to create fiction that employs the perspectives, the voices, of persons at later stages of their lives, a population vulnerable to disease and, more insidious, loneliness. First, I discuss my experiences reviving the Western Kentucky student organization Companions of Respected Elders. C.O.R.E. allowed undergraduates to work with local residential centers (nursing homes) by engaging their residents in the collaborative act of creating stories from picture prompts and encouraging questions, following the training and paradigm of TimeSlips^TM. …

Loneliness, Sense Of Control, And Risk Of Dementia In Healthy Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Hwajin Yang, Germaine Tng, Wee Qin Ng, Sujin Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objectives: Despite the rising prevalence of dementia, little research has been conducted to identify modifiable psychological factors that alleviate the risk of dementia in older adults and the underlying mechanisms. Given that loneliness is, in part, concomitant with a weakened sense of control, we examined whether sense of control would mediate the relation between loneliness and dementia risk. Further, considering that working -memory capacity is a critical cognitive resource that serves as a buffer against age-related cognitive decline, we examined a second-order moderated mediational model whereby working-memory capacity moderates the relation between control beliefs and dementia risk in older adults. …

Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Factors And Wellbeing Among Adults 65 And Older In England, Dainelle Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increased number of older adults living longer parallels with the growth of public health concerns regarding the impact of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors (e.g., loneliness and social isolation) on older adults' wellbeing. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association between loneliness, social isolation, the combined model of loneliness, and social isolation on wellbeing among older adults when accounting for age, gender, ethnicity, and social support. The socioecological model (SEM) was used to evaluate the multiple levels of environmental determinants for loneliness, social isolation, and wellbeing. The target population included older adults 65 years and older …

Socio-Ecological Predictors Of Social Connection Among Older Adults, Georganna Amateau

Theses and Dissertations

Decades of research has established an unequivocal link between states of social connection and health status. Lack of social connection, whether construed as social isolation or loneliness, negatively influences health and is highly associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, fall risk, and premature death. Despite extensive research on social isolation and loneliness, evidence relative to the broader construct of social connection suffers. Few studies inform practice standards for community-based organizations. This study aimed to develop a multidimensional, continuous composite variable of social connection and use the composite variable to examine predictors with a socio-ecological lens.

A secondary data analysis …

The Association Of Sleep Quality And Loneliness With Perceived Physical And Mental Health Status In Autistic Adults, Nicholas Charles Clark Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Autistic individuals report a greater prevalence of physical and mental health difficulties, compared to the general population. This study examines factors which impact physical and mental health in the general population to evaluate whether they potentially underlie this increased prevalence in autistic individuals. We compared twenty-two autistic adults, twenty-three adults reporting symptoms of insomnia, and twenty-one neurotypical adults. The primary factors were sleep quality and insomnia; secondary factors were level of autistic traits, alexithymia, and prosocial behavior. Participants completed self-report measures looking at each of these factors as well as their perceived physical and mental health. Participants also wore an …

Predictors Of Loneliness Among College Students: Evidence For The Necessity Of Early Childhood Interventions, Yazmin Ramos

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Chronic loneliness is associated with negative health consequences. Those that suffer from chronic loneliness typically exhibit bad health behaviors, such as excessive alcohol and drug consumption, which can lead to physical ailments, such as heart disease or even death (Steptoe et. al., 2013; Shoevestul et. al., 2020). Additionally, chronic loneliness is associated with mental health; higher reported feelings of loneliness has been associated with higher rates of depression (Shovestul et. al., 2020). As loneliness varies by socio-demographics, such as sex, women report higher rates of loneliness than men (Maes et. al., 2019). To better understand the factors associated with loneliness, …

Elder Isolation In Immigrant Communities, Jessica Da Silva

School of Professional Studies

This paper examined loneliness, as a measurement of perceived social isolation, in older immigrant adults. Previous research shows that older adults are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. Both of which have a direct correlation with their overall health (Wilson & Molton, 2010, Cacioppo et al., 2002) and mortality rates (Holt-Lunstad et al, 2015). Another international study found that immigrants in particular are at a higher risk for experiencing loneliness (Government of Canada, 2018). In this study, 35 immigrants and non-immigrants participants answered a survey which included 20 questions from the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 (Russel, 1996). …

Exploring The Impacts Of Workplace Loneliness On Criminal Justice Senior Leaders, Johanna Papa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore the impacts of workplace loneliness on senior leaders of various criminal justice organizations. The theoretical framework used was Descartes' views of the self-concept theory, which explained how individuals defined and described themselves within a social context. Using purposive sampling and semistructured telephone, and email interviews of 16 criminal justice senior leaders from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, this research was conducted to answer the overarching question of this study. Workplace loneliness was a professional hazard. The key findings revealed that at least 87% of the criminal justice senior leaders reported feeling or have …

Loneliness During Mass Social Distancing: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Of Loneliness In College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Madeline Williams

Lewis Honors College Capstone Collection

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique environment to study loneliness in college students. Loneliness has a deeply rooted history in psychology and sociology where both attempt to explain it as either a lack of physical contact, a discrepancy in one’s actual quality or type of relationships and the quality or type of sought-after relationships, or as an emotional reaction to social factors. One way that psychologists have attempted to quantify loneliness is with the UCLA loneliness scale. Previous research has focused on the conceptualization and definition of loneliness, social stress theory regarding studying mental health, and the strength of …

Companion Dog Acquisition And Mental Well-Being: A Community-Based Three-Arm Controlled Study, Lauren Powell, Kate M. Edwards, Paul D. Mcgreevy, Adrian Bauman, Anthony L. Podberscek, Brendon Neilly, Catherine Sherrington, Emmanuel Stamatakis

Human-Animal Relationships Collection

Background

Dog ownership is suggested to improve mental well-being, although empirical evidence among community dog owners is limited. This study examined changes in human mental well-being following dog acquisition, including four measures: loneliness, positive and negative affect, and psychological distress.

Methods

We conducted an eight-month controlled study involving three groups (n = 71): 17 acquired a dog within 1 month of baseline (dog acquisition); 29 delayed dog acquisition until study completion (lagged control); and 25 had no intentions of acquiring a dog (community control). All participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (possible scores 0–60), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule …

Healthy Older Adults’ Motivation And Knowledge Related To Food And Meals, Kai Victor Hansen

The Qualitative Report

The population over 60 years old is growing rapidly in Norway and in many other countries, and researchers often focus on elderly people and various diseases. This article examines the healthy elderly who are active in their daily lives to understand their motivation and knowledge about food and meals. The method used was CurroCus® group interviews, or fast focus groups. Nine CurroCus® groups were conducted, lasting for 37 to 56 minutes (average = 45 minutes). Altogether, 76 persons participated, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years; participants were predominantly female (>80%). The article discusses two areas: motivation and …

Retirement Residence Living: Stories Of Older Adult Residents, Alexandra Jackson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Social isolation and loneliness have a negative effect on the lives of older adults. Participation in regular physical activity may facilitate social connectedness to mitigate feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Current understanding of regular physical activity for social connection and health benefits in older adult residents of retirement communities is limited. This study aimed to address, ‘What are the stories of social connectedness of physically active older adults living in a retirement residence?’. Using a narrative methodology, and incorporating an occupational mapping tool, residents of a retirement community storied their experiences of regular physical activity. Thematic analysis revealed themes …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Gujarati), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Coping With Loneliness - A Resource For Older Adults (Tagalog), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Coping with Loneliness – A Resource for Older Adults

Coping with Loneliness – A Resource for Older Adults is a reflection tool that includes prompts and activities to help a lonely older adult consider their feelings and come up with potential solutions by taking stock of their feelings, strengths and supports. This resource can be completed by an older adult individually, with the assistance of others, or in a group setting.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre …

The Role Of Faith Communities In Improving Supports To Reduce Loneliness And Social Isolation In Immigrants 65+, Reshma Banu, Sirena Liladrie, Behije Noka

The Role of Faith Communities in Improving Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+

This report titled “The Role of Faith Communities in Improving Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+” connects survey findings with the importance of offering programs and services through faith groups and makes recommendations for creative collaborations with them in strengthening the community’s response to unmet needs of older immigrants.

Author Bios: Reshma Banu is a graduate from the Social Service Worker Program – Immigration and Settlement Stream at Sheridan College. Sirena Liladrie is a professor in the Social Service Worker Program at Sheridan College and Principle Investigator of the project. Behije Noka is a graduate of …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Punjabi), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Polish), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Arabic), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Spanish), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Traditional Chinese), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …

Tip Sheet - Staying Socially Connected (Urdu), Sheridan Centre For Elder Research

Tip Sheet

This handout for older adults includes a list of research-informed tips that an older adult can use to engage socially in a variety of ways.

This document is available in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu

This resource is included in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Toolkit, created by the Centre for Elder Research in Oakville ON, Canada. The Toolkit is part of a research project titled “Building Connected Communities: improving Community Supports to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Immigrants 65+”. The research focused on exploring strategies …