Loneliness, loss, and social support among cognitively intact older people with cancer, living in nursing homes – a mixed-methods study

Abstract

Background: Loneliness is a significant psychosocial effect following a cancer diagnosis and may prevent people from engaging in social activities, thus creating difficulties in interpersonal relationships. This study investigated loneliness and social support among cognitively intact nursing home residents with cancer by using a quantitatively driven mixed-methods design with sequential supplementary qualitative components. Methods:The quantitative component consisted of face-to-face interviews of 60 nursing home residents ($65 years) using the one-item Loneliness Scale and the Social Provisions Scale. The supplementary psychosocial component consisted of qualitative research interviews about experiences related to loneliness with nine respondents. Results: The quantitative results indicated that reassurance of worth was associated with loneliness. The experience of loneliness was identified by the following: loneliness that was dominated by a feeling of inner pain, feeling of loss, and feeling small. Loneliness was alleviated by the following: being engaged in activities, being in contact with other people, and occupying oneself. Conclusion: Enhancing the lives of nursing home residents with cancer requires attending to the residents' experience of loneliness and social relationships in a targeted and individualized manner. This might require screening all nursing home residents for early detection of loneliness. Revealing factors that may contribute to or reduce loneliness improves the ability to enhance people's lives.

Qualitative study of loneliness in a senior housing community: the importance of wisdom and other coping strategies

“…Our findings on the role of aging in loneliness support other qualitative work in older adults that also reported the contribution of age-related disabilities (Finlay & Kobayashi, 2018;Li, Xu, & Chi, 2018) and shrinking social network (Finlay & Kobayashi, 2018;Li et al, 2018;Wong et al, 2017), though the adaptation to aging has not been observed. Similarly, other studies have reported ways in which older adults cope with loneliness, such as keeping busy by oneself (Drageset et al, 2015;Stanley et al, 2010) and doing activities interacting with others (Drageset et al, 2015;Finlay & Kobayashi, 2018). An Australian study reported benefits to being alone, which aligned with our characterization of oneliness or comfort with solitude, as a time to self-reflect and conduct spiritual activities (Stanley et al, 2010).…”

“…Specifically, loneliness is defined as subjective distress resulting from a discrepancy between desired and actual relationships (Ernst & Cacioppo, 1999), while social isolation is the objective lack of social contacts and interactions (Cornwell & Waite, 2009;Gardner, Brooke, Ozanne, & Kendig, 1999). Loneliness may be modifiable, and person-focused interventions are an important but underdeveloped approach (Perissinotto, Holt-Lunstad, Periyakoil, & Covinsky, 2019) Several published papers have focused on the qualitative experience of loneliness among overseas or immigrant populations (Wong, Chau, Fang, & Woo, 2017), medically ill persons (Drageset, Eide, Dysvik, Furnes, & Hauge, 2015;Sj€ oberg, Edberg, Rasmussen, & Beck, 2019), and people at highest risk for loneliness (Neves, Sanders, & Kokanovi c, 2019). However, there is little published literature on qualitative studies of loneliness among independent living older adults in the community.…”

Assessment of multiple constructs of social integration for older adults living in nursing homes

“…Specific measures of social support can include structural features (size and composition of network), frequency of interactions, content and quality of support, and perceptions of adequacy (Siebert, Mutran, & Reitzes, 1999). Having adequate social support has been shown to increase positive outcomes for older adults specifically in the areas of long term care, health, community participation, security, and sustained independent living (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987;Drageset et al, 2015;World Health Organizations, 2002). Research suggests that both giving and receiving social support is important for the well-being of older adults (Thomas, 2009).…”

“…Research suggests that both giving and receiving social support is important for the well-being of older adults (Thomas, 2009). In a study of nursing home residents with cancer, Drageset et al (2015) found that social support that reinforces self-esteem and worth can reduce loneliness.…”

“…Due to high rates of inactivity and a limited number of social relationships, nursing home residents are at high risk for loneliness and isolation (Abbott, Bettger, Hampton, & Kohler, 2015;Casey, Low, Jeon, & Brodaty, 2016;Ice, 2002). However, being socially connected to others and socially integrated into communities can have positive effects on individual health and wellbeing Drageset, Eide, Dysvik, Furnes, & Hauge, 2015;Putnam, 2000).…”