Indicators of Social Isolation: A Comparison Based on Survey Data from Germany

Eckhard, Jan

doi:10.1007/s11205-017-1741-y

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…That social isolation increases with age is consistent with previous research ( e.g. Eckhard, 2018). Similar to our findings, Eckhard (2018) reported a prevalence rate for those aged 56+ based on the social contact measure of approximately 8 per cent and that prevalence increases with age, particularly for females.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…In the present paper, we do not have conclusive answers in regards to defining social isolation, but, by systematically providing, within the same sample, various definitions from single-item indicators to the more complex, this adds to our understanding of how using different definitions leads to different prevalence rates ( e.g. Eckhard, 2018). Although we take the stance of keeping distinctions between structural and functional aspects of social relationships to retain conceptual clarity, we also acknowledge the different information that these aspects can together provide about the social world of older adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The present study, using one large population-based database, allows an opportunity to look at different definitions systematically in a large, national sample; thus adding to past research using single samples to compare measures of social isolation ( e.g. Chappell and Badger, 1989; Eckhard, 2018). Chappell and Badger's (1989) work examining older adults aged 60+ suggested that different measures predict well-being differently: specifically, that measures conceptually similar to ‘structural’ aspects of relationships such as low social contact did not predict well-being outcomes (life satisfaction; happiness), but that more ‘functional’ aspects like lack of confidants/companions (friends) did.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chappell and Badger's (1989) work examining older adults aged 60+ suggested that different measures predict well-being differently: specifically, that measures conceptually similar to ‘structural’ aspects of relationships such as low social contact did not predict well-being outcomes (life satisfaction; happiness), but that more ‘functional’ aspects like lack of confidants/companions (friends) did. Most recently, Eckhard's (2018) study drew on German studies including participants aged 18+ and compared measures assessing social contact (structural), discussion network (confidant–functional) and social support (functional). In this study, Eckhard defined the social contact measure as: living alone; not being in a couple relationship; getting together with friends, relatives and neighbours less than monthly; and helping friends, relatives and neighbours less than monthly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of note, for the social support measure (which asked people to choose from a list those whom they could ask for help if they were to need long-term care), isolation decreased with older age. The author argued that this result could be due to older age groups not wanting to ‘burden’ anyone with having to help them, rather than reflecting isolation per se (Eckhard, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of different definitions of social isolation using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data

Newall

Menec

2019

Ageing and Society

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There are many definitions of social isolation which draw on structural indicators (e.g. living alone), functional indicators (e.g. social support) or both. This makes comparing prevalence rates across studies difficult and provides little guidance for practitioners and service providers to identify and target socially isolated clients. The purpose of the present study was to compare, within one large population-based data-set of Canadians aged 45–85, single-item and composite indicators of social isolation, by total sample and by socio-demographics (age, sex) and health. Data were from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) which assessed features of social network, social support and social participation. Two composite scales were created to compare prevalence rates based on structural only or both structural and functional indicators. Results indicated overall low prevalence rates of social isolation, regardless of the measure used. A composite scale using only structural features identified 5.8 per cent socially isolated adults aged 45–85. This compared with a structural and functional scale that identified 9.8 per cent socially isolated adults. The composite measures showed less variation across socio-demographics than single-item measures. Results shed light on different ways in which social isolation can be defined and how single-item and composite definitions impact our understanding of identifying socially isolated adults in a given population. Results add to discussion of measures that can be used by researchers, services providers and practitioners.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%