Sensory Disabilities and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Toward Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Abstract

Objectives Sensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability (SRHD) and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism. Methods We compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing two measures of social isolation. Results Social isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants. Discussion Initially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population.

Longitudinal Analysis of Social Isolation and Cognitive Functioning among Hispanic Older Adults with Sensory Impairments

“…We measured social isolation with the goal of identifying elements of familial and other support that might be more relevant to Hispanic individuals [32]. Social isolation scores were calculated by aggregating each of the following possibilities, with "yes" coded as 1 and "no" coded as 0 for each of the following: (a) living alone; (b) having one or fewer people who he/she talked to in the last year about important things; (c) not attending religious services; (d) not visiting friends/family in the participant's home or in the home of the friend/family member; and (e) not living in an intergenerational household.…”

“…Terms that describe this primacy of the family include communalism in African cultures, filial piety in Asian Cultures, and familism among Hispanic cultures [30]. Hispanics may prefer to receive social support from family rather than from community resources [31,32]. Past research has identified a link between the cultural value of familism and perceived social support as well as psychological well-being, social well-being, and reduced distress [30,33].…”