Short- and long-term determinants of social detachment in later life

Abstract

The benefits of engagement with social activities on health and wellbeing are widely reported by gerontologists. Less is known, however, about what drives withdrawal from and re-engagement with social activities in later life. This is an important area of research which has direct implications for public policies that aim to ensure equitable outcomes among older adults. Much of the existing literature supports continuity theory which assumes people will not alter their level of social engagement as they age or after life-changing events. This paper uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing over an eight-year period (2002–2010) to determine the effect of short-term changes in marital, employment and health status over an initial four-year period on the dynamics of social detachment over the following four years. We control for underlying socio-economic disadvantages built up during the lifecourse and find that these effects, including poor education, wealth and health, are the most important determinants of persistent detachment from social activities as well as movement into and out of social detachment. The effects are consistent in men and women. The effects of short-term changes in marital and employment status have little effect on social detachment. Recent deterioration in health, however, predicted movement into social detachment, which implies the relationship between health and social detachment is reciprocal.

Using the Social Determinants of Health as a Framework to Examine and Address Predictors of Depression in Later Life

“…The findings in this study support maintaining good health and independent physical functioning, as well as the importance of promoting social support systems. The eight domains delineated in the WHO guide to Global Agefriendly Cities can offer a framework for developing and implementing the supportive services for active and engaged aging and maintaining independent living situations (Hillcoat-Nallétamby and Ogg 2014; Jivraj et al 2016;Van Dijk et al 2015;World Health Organization 2007).…”

“…On the other hand, a positive neighborhood environment is associated with a decrease in psychological stress and improved cognitive function and mental health (Brown et al 2009;Wen et al 2006). Attachment and social engagement are driving forces to health and well-being of older adults and attachment to place is likely based on an attachment to the people in that place, not necessarily the place itself, and fosters social engagement (Hillcoat-Nallétamby and Ogg 2014; Jivraj et al 2016).…”

“…Inequalities in wealth, education and healthcare are predictors of social detachment in later life as well as fluctuations in attachment and detachment and may have cumulative effects over the life course on health and well-being (Jivraj et al 2016). The World Health Organization's guide to Global-Age Friendly Cities contains eight domains that promotes active aging and supports aging in place: (Van Dijk et al 2015) 1) outdoor spaces and buildings, 2) transportation, 3) housing, 4) social participation, 5) respect and social approval, 6) civic participation and employment, 7) communication and information, and 8) community support and health services (Van Dijk et al 2015;World Health Organization 2007).…”

Application of the behaviour change wheel framework to the development of interventions within the City4Age project

“…Attendance reminding them that they are aging [33] Education Capability, Physical Skills Inability to follow conversations/sensory deficits [34][35][36][37], poor health [38] Environmental restructuring Opportunity, Social Social influences Participation of friends/partner [39] Enablement Lack of local social support [37], unsupportive community/perceived lack of acceptance [40] Modelling Opportunity to contribute skills/knowledge [41] Enablement Opportunity, Physical…”

The Cost Effectiveness of Mental Health Treatment in the Lifetime of Older Adults with HIV in New York City: A Markov Approach

“…Depression is related to low QoL and high medical costs, but psychological interventions can reduce depressive episodes substantially [ 18 ]. There is evidence of the benefits of social interaction and engagement on the health and well-being among older adults in successful aging [ 19 ]; better care is positively associated with higher survival rates among HIV-infected individuals but is suboptimal when patients have mental health disorders and are substance users [ 20 ]. Behavioral care can be grouped as “pharmacotherapy, psychological therapy and the combination of the two” [ 21 ].…”