In light of the rapid growth of the Hispanic population, accompanied by a recent backlash against affirmative action and claims of reverse discrimination, there is a need to understand the factors that contribute to perceptions of discrimination among Hispanics and among Anglos. The current study expanded on Kobrynowicz and Branscombe's research on perceptions of discrimination by investigating the relationships between perceived personal and group discrimination and self-esteem, control, individualism/ collectivism, and social dominance orientation (SDO) among Hispanics and among Anglos. Correlates of discrimination by gender within ethnicity were also assessed. Among Hispanics, personal self-esteem and personal and interpersonal control were negatively correlated, and collectivism was positively correlated, with perceived personal discrimination. Among Anglos, SDO was positively correlated with perceived group discrimination. Multiple regression indicated that collectivism and personal control were significant predictors of perceived personal discrimination among Hispanics, whereas SDO was a significant predictor of perceived group discrimination among Anglos.

Purpose There is extensive empirical literature that has sought to establish the prevalence of, and risk factors for, loneliness and social isolation in later life. Traditional empirical gerontological approaches have characterised loneliness as a linear experience that is both pathological and easily relieved with external intervention. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of qualitative interview data to reveal the possible complexities in understanding loneliness, including conceptual considerations for the dynamic and multi-dimensional aspects of loneliness. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on two different studies where the purpose was to qualitatively examine the meaning of loneliness in the lives of older people and how they understood loneliness in the context of their daily life (n=37). Findings Interviews with “lonely” older people revealed that loneliness is a complex and dynamic experience. The authors also identified a range of internal and external factors that contribute to vulnerability for loneliness as well as resources to alleviate it. Originality/value The dynamic and multi-dimensional characteristics of loneliness in older people may help explain why community-based interventions to diminish it may be so challenging.

Temporal variations in loneliness at the individual and population level have long been reported in longitudinal studies. Although the evidence is limited due to methodological distinctions among studies, we broadly know that loneliness as one ages is a dynamic experience with people becoming more or less lonely or staying the same over time. There is, however, less evidence to understand individual variations in loneliness over shorter periods of time. This paper reports on one element of a small mixed method pilot study to investigate seasonal variations in loneliness over the course of one year and to test the effectiveness of tools used to collect data at repeated short intervals. Our findings confirm that loneliness is dynamic even over shorter periods of time with participants reporting to be lonelier in the evenings, weekends and spring-summer period. Data measures were at times problematic due to language and/or interpretation and reinforce the relevance of reviewing the more common approaches to studying loneliness to more effectively capture the complex and individual nature of the experience.

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