Intersectional inequalities in loneliness among older adults before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A total population survey in the Swedish eldercare setting

Gustafsson, Per E.; Fonseca-Rodríguez, Osvaldo; Nilsson, Ingeborg; Sebastián, Miguel San

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115447

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…This finding demonstrates the additive nature of the multiple forms of marginality in shaping young people’s SWB and echoes intersectionality theory (McCall, 2005). At its core, intersectionality theory emphasizes the intertwinement of complex social positions across multiple dimensions of power or inequity and its consequences regarding how societal changes generate, amplify, or temper inequalities (Bauer, 2014; Gustafsson et al, 2022). This theory thus suggests that inequality of any type cannot be understood or mitigated by approaches that treat identities and social positions as distinct subjects of inquiry and lived experiences are embedded within multiple, intersecting, and mutually constitutive systems of social, economic, and political power and reflective of them (Bauer, 2014; McCall, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the study findings support the general view of intersectionality, the hypothesis and methodological approach do not directly or fully address intersectionality’s core arguments as presented in the current public health literature (e.g., Bauer & Scheim, 2019; Guan et al, 2021). For example, I did not empirically examine the distribution of GLS within intersectional strata (e.g., Gustafsson et al, 2022) or the nonadditive effect of multiple identities and social positions on the lived experiences of individuals, that is, the fact that axes of inequality intersect to create unique social positions that cannot be explained as the sum of their parts (e.g., Bauer & Scheim, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ethnic inequality between Arabs and Jews in Israel in global life satisfaction: A social determinants examination among young adults.

Achdut

2024

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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Global life satisfaction (GLS), a core construct of subjective well-being, plays a vital role in positive development among young adults. Persistent inequality in subjective well-being across minority versus majority groups is a growing public health concern. However, research evidence on the minority-majority disparity in GLS among representative samples of young adults is scarce. Based on national data from Israel (N = 2,405), this study examines (a) the association of multiple forms of economic (not in education, employment, or training status, subjective socioeconomic status indicators), social-relational (trust, discrimination, loneliness), and environmental determinants (neighborhood conditions) with GLS among young adults from a minority-majority (Israeli Arabs-Israeli Jews) perspective; (b) whether minority-majority disparity in GLS can be explained by differential health returns for the determinants considered across participants from the two groups; (c) whether minority-majority disparities in GLS persist when controlling for these determinants, suggesting the effect of ethnicity per se. Significant disparities in GLS by ethnicity were found, with young Arab adults far less likely to be satisfied or very satisfied with their lives. Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that economic, social-relational, and environmental determinants shape GLS, but these factors do not eliminate the adverse effect of minority status on GLS. While social-relational and environmental factors uniformly affect GLS across minority and majority participants, economic factors were less influential among the Arab minority, suggesting lower health returns for economic resources among young Arab adults. Implications for policies aimed at promoting health equity and social justice are discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementYoung adults' global life satisfaction (GLS) is shaped by their multifaceted positions within demographic, economic, social, and environmental stratification systems, with those at the bottom of the ladder across the various domains demonstrating poor GLS. While social determinants from these domains, including discrimination, drive inequality in GLS, they do not eliminate the adverse effect of ethnicity on young adults' GLS, suggesting that ethnicity per se affects GLS. Disparities in GLS can be narrowed only by addressing multiple forms of disadvantage. Combined policy measures should be taken to reduce financial deprivation and decrease the prevalence of young people detached from education and employment. Expanding access to postsecondary education and vocational training, particularly among ethnic minorities, should be viewed as a central path to promoting young adults' subjective and material well-being. Inequality in GLS can be further reduced by combating discrimination, loneliness, and low levels of social trust. Investment in environmental living conditions-neighborhood physical attributes and safety-is needed to promote equity in GLS and environmental justice. Inequality in subjective well-be...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnic inequality between Arabs and Jews in Israel in global life satisfaction: A social determinants examination among young adults.

Achdut

2024

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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“…An exception is the extended work of Gustafsson et al (2022) among older adults, which identified inequalities in loneliness by intersectional strata (age, gender, type of residence, income, and country of birth). Gustafsson et al (2022) identified the role of intersectionality in the risk for loneliness, as the most disadvantaged group had the highest risk. Last, we could not find any studies exploring intersectionality in light of the UN SDGs.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies that examined mental health outcomes within the contexts of intersectionality typically focused on a few oppressive mechanisms at a time, primarily gender, race, and/or sexual orientation (e.g., Seng et al, 2012; Vu et al, 2019). An exception is the extended work of Gustafsson et al (2022) among older adults, which identified inequalities in loneliness by intersectional strata (age, gender, type of residence, income, and country of birth). Gustafsson et al (2022) identified the role of intersectionality in the risk for loneliness, as the most disadvantaged group had the highest risk.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnocultural disparities in loneliness among women in Israel: A population-based study.

Refaeli,

Achdut

2024

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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Loneliness was predicted for women in three ethnocultural groups in Israel: native Jews, Israeli Arabs, and Former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrants. The study was based on Lund et al. 's (2018) conceptualization of social determinant domains of mental health disorders, as in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Social determinants were demographic, economic, social-cultural, and neighborhood factors. We examined whether ethnocultural disparities in loneliness persist when controlling for social determinants in these four domains or whether ethnic disparities are related to other forms of inequality among the three study groups, as reflected in these four domains. Next, we explored associations between the co-occurrence of key social determinants with loneliness. We used cross-sectional representative data of working-age women from the Israeli Social Survey (N = 5,600). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses indicated a higher risk for loneliness among FSU immigrants and Israeli Arabs than among native Jews. Economic risk factors significantly increased the risk of loneliness. Social and cultural factors decreased the risk of loneliness, while discrimination increased it. Improved neighborhood conditions decreased the risk of loneliness. Ethnocultural disparities in loneliness diminished when economic determinants were controlled. Co-occurrence of risk factors greatly increased the risk for loneliness, demonstrating a stepped relationship. Developing supportive networks for women, mainly from minority groups, to increase trust and fight discrimination against any background is necessary. Moreover, significant efforts must be made to combat poverty and narrow socioeconomic inequalities. Public Policy Relevance StatementRather than ethnicity itself, the disparities observed in the economic conditions of women across the three ethnocultural groups-such as poverty, material deprivation, and compromised health-appear to underlie the differences in the risk for loneliness. Consequently, it is imperative to prioritize substantial initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and minimizing socioeconomic inequalities between minority and majority cohorts. L oneliness is defined as an unpleasant subjective feeling stemming from a perceived lack of connectedness with others. It can be caused by either a deficit in or a gap between an individual's actual and expected number of social interactions and relations, or from dissatisfaction with the quality of social connections (Courtin & Knapp, 2017; Yang & Victor, 2011). Loneliness has been linked to diminished physical and mental health and low quality of life at all ages (Achdut & Refaeli, 2020; Park et al., 2019; Wickramaratne et al., 2022). Recent studies have demonstrated its high prevalence in many Western countries (e.g., d'Hombres et al., 2021; Surkalim et al., 2022), with rising awareness of the various demographic, economic, social, and environmental determinants leading to inequality in loneliness (Samuels, 2019; Wu et al., 2022). This study is based on the ...

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“…También se ha evidenciado la presencia de ansiedad, miedo y problemas anímicos, destacando la depresión como una de las características más relevantes (Nascimento et al, 2023;Wang et al, 2023). Las desigualdades económicas y las características del entorno y la vivienda pueden agravar estas situaciones emocionales de manera variable (Gustafsson et al, 2022). Además, se ha observado que la participación limitada en actividades de ocio puede contribuir a la exacerbación de las emociones negativas (Nakanishi et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Situación físico-emocional de los hombres y las mujeres mayores durante la pandemia: influencia del falle-cimiento de personas próximas a ellos por covid-19 (The physical-emotional situation of older men and women during the pandemic: influence of death of people close to them by covid-19)

Parra-Rizo

2023

Retos

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El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el estado físico-emocional de las personas mayores durante la pandemia, considerando las diferencias de género y la influencia de los fallecimientos de personas cercanas por covid-19. Para ello, se utilizaron diversas escalas de medición, como la escala de felicidad subjetiva (SHS), la escala de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (SF-12), la escala de estrés percibido (PSS), la escala de dolor (VAS) y la escala de gratitud (CG-6). La muestra consistió en 71 participantes de edades comprendidas entre los 55 y 75 años. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que los hombres presentaron niveles más altos de felicidad subjetiva, mejor salud mental, mayor calidad de vida y menor percepción de estrés y dolor en comparación con las mujeres. Sin embargo, al considerar la variable de fallecimiento por covid-19, se observaron diferencias significativas únicamente en la salud mental y la percepción de estrés entre hombres y mujeres en aquellos participantes que no habían experimentado pérdidas cercanas. En conclusión, este estudio reveló la existencia de diferencias en el estado físico-emocional entre hombres y mujeres durante la pandemia. Además, se encontró que la cercanía de los fallecimientos por covid-19 tuvo un impacto diferencial en la salud mental y la percepción de estrés según el sexo. Estos hallazgos contribuyen a la comprensión de los efectos psicosociales de la pandemia en la población mayor y resaltan la importancia de considerar las diferencias de género en la salud física y emocional durante situaciones de crisis como la pandemia de covid-19. Palabras clave: personas mayores; covid-19; salud física; salud mental; coronavirus; felicidad; estrés; calidad de vida. Abstract. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical-emotional state of older adults during the pandemic, considering gender differences and the influence of COVID-19-related deaths of close individuals. Various measurement scales were utilized, including the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), and the Gratitude Scale (CG-6). The sample consisted of 71 participants aged between 55 and 75 years. The results indicated that men exhibited higher levels of subjective happiness, better mental health, greater quality of life, and lower perceived stress and pain compared to women. However, when considering the variable of COVID-19-related deaths, significant differences were observed only in mental health and perceived stress between men and women among participants who had not experienced close losses. In conclusion, this study revealed differences in the physical-emotional state between men and women during the pandemic. Furthermore, it was found that the proximity of COVID-19-related deaths had a differential impact on mental health and perceived stress according to gender. These findings contribute to understanding the psychosocial effects of the pandemic on older adults and underscore the importance of considering gender differences in physical and emotional health during crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: older adult; covid-19; physical health; mental health; coronavirus; happiness; stress; quality of life.

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Intersectional inequalities in loneliness among older adults before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A total population survey in the Swedish eldercare setting

Cited by 10 publications

References 49 publications

Ethnic inequality between Arabs and Jews in Israel in global life satisfaction: A social determinants examination among young adults.

Ethnic inequality between Arabs and Jews in Israel in global life satisfaction: A social determinants examination among young adults.

Ethnocultural disparities in loneliness among women in Israel: A population-based study.

Situación físico-emocional de los hombres y las mujeres mayores durante la pandemia: influencia del falle-cimiento de personas próximas a ellos por covid-19 (The physical-emotional situation of older men and women during the pandemic: influence of death of people close to them by covid-19)

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