The wellbeing of working-age adults with and without disability in the UK: Associations with age, gender, ethnicity, partnership status, educational attainment and employment status

Emerson, Eric; Fortune, Nicola; Aitken, Zoe; Hatton, Chris; Stancliffe, Roger J.; Llewellyn, Gwynnyth

doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100889

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The current study has shown that the KPB project has the potential to enhance wellbeing and reduce loneliness for the general population. This supports providing more KBP card exchanges in more contexts in the future, particularly during periods when people are vulnerable to mental or physical difficulties due to social isolation or natural disasters (Emerson et al, 2020), although sufficiently powered randomised controlled trials are required to provide more robust evidence on efficacy. It could be an inexpensive intervention to improve public wellbeing and reduce loneliness worldwide for people under the current social isolation orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic (Clair et al, 2021;Grover et al, 2020).…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 93%

‘Kindness By Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of A Participatory Public Mental Health Project

Wang

Pearce

Jones

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundRandom acts of kindness can improve wellbeing. However, less is known about the impacts of giving and receiving acts of kindness with strangers on wellbeing and loneliness. Therefore, this study’s objectives were to evaluate a participatory public mental health project involving sending and receiving a card with goodwill messages, to understand how such acts of kindness influence wellbeing and loneliness, and to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the project’s impacts.Materials and methodsThis study was a secondary analysis of anonymised service evaluation data collected in the ‘Kindness by Post’ (KBP) project in 2020. It used a mixed-methods single-group design and data from 289 participants. Changes in wellbeing, loneliness, sense of belonging and hope from baseline to follow-up were analysed using linear or multinomial logistic regression. Regression models also examined the associations between changes in wellbeing and baseline loneliness or participation level. Free text responses about experiences and suggestions for the project were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants had a small, but statistically significant improvement, in wellbeing equating to 0.21 standard deviations (SD) (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.30) after taking part in the project, as well as improvements in loneliness, sense of belonging and hope. How lonely a participant was at baseline and whether participants both sent and received a kindness card were not associated with improvements in wellbeing. In the qualitative analysis, a desire to help others emerged as the main motivator to take part in the card exchange. Participants reported enhanced personal fulfilment, leading to improvements in wellbeing. Receiving a card could make people feel special and cherished, which was reported to establish a sense of connection with others, with potential benefits for reducing loneliness.ConclusionsThis study provided preliminary evidence that the KBP project might improve wellbeing, loneliness, sense of belonging and hope. Sending a kindness card in this project played a predominant role in wellbeing enhancement, and receiving a kindness card could reduce loneliness. This study suggests that the KBP project can be replicated in more contexts in the future, and might improve wellbeing and loneliness in large communities.

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Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 93%

‘Kindness By Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of A Participatory Public Mental Health Project

Wang

Pearce

Jones

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…However, there is an evolving body of knowledge suggesting that disability-related inequalities in wellbeing do not reflect a direct negative impact of impairment, but rather that demographic characteristics and exposure to social determinants of poor health play a major role in the negative association between disability and wellbeing. 29 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness, social support, social isolation and wellbeing among working age adults with and without disability: Cross-sectional study

Emerson

Fortune

Llewellyn

et al. 2021

Disability and Health Journal

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198

116

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Background Loneliness is significantly related to health and wellbeing. However, there is little information on the prevalence of loneliness among people with disability or the association between disability, loneliness and wellbeing. Objective/hypothesis For a nationally representative sample of adults (age 16–64) with/without disability, to examine exposure to three indicators of low social connectedness (loneliness, low perceived social support, social isolation), and to evaluate the association between low social connectedness and wellbeing. To test whether disability status moderated the relationship between low social connectedness and wellbeing. Methods Secondary analysis of data from three annual rounds of the cross-sectional English Community Life Survey (CLS) 2016–19. Results People with disability experienced loneliness, low perceived social support and social isolation at significantly higher rates than people without disability. Effect sizes were significantly greater for loneliness. Disability was associated with lower wellbeing. With one exception, low social connectedness was associated with lower wellbeing. Again, effect sizes were significantly greater for loneliness. The prevalence of loneliness was highest among adults with disability who were younger, economically inactive, living in rented or other accommodation, living alone and with low levels of access to environmental assets. There was no evidence that disability status moderated the association between exposure to low social connectedness and low wellbeing. Conclusions Loneliness was a particularly significant driver of poor wellbeing among people with disability. The relative independence between different indicators of social connectedness suggests that interventions to reduce loneliness will need to do more than simply increase rates of social contact or social support.

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“…As we transition during the pandemic, it is imperative that people who are at high risk are supported to re-participate in society given the greater restrictions they have experienced during the pandemic and can do so without bias or discrimination. For instance, a pertinent area to consider is the return to work given the importance of employment for health and wellbeing [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the awareness, attitudes, and actions (AAA) of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19

et al. 2021

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Background People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 have experienced greater restrictions during the pandemic, yet there is a paucity of research exploring their lived experience. Objectives This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on people identified as at high risk of severe illness by UK Government, and in particular, the impact of the first lockdown on access to healthcare, medications and use of technological platforms. Methods 1038 UK adults who identified as at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in line with UK Government guidance or self-identified with acute or other chronic health conditions, completed the Awareness, Attitudes and Actions survey which explored the impact of COVID-19 on access to healthcare, management of long-term health condition, mental health, and health behaviours. Results Most participants reported feelings of vulnerability, anxiety and isolation, noticed that other people changed their behaviour towards them including a feeling of being stigmatised by people not categorised as high risk. Participants described the largely negative impact that the COVID-19 lockdown had on to health-related behaviours and access to healthcare, which had resulted in large declines in mental health and wellbeing. Participants also indicated disappointment at the UK Governments response and handling of the COVID-19 lockdown. Implications This study provides novel evidence of the lived experience of the first COVID-19 lockdown for people identified as at high risk of severe illness. In the context of behavioural health interventions, the ubiquity of digital technologies and their adoption into day-to-day life translates into greater potential reach than traditional interventions, and consequently, greater potential for positive public health impact. Findings should be considered by policymakers and healthcare professionals to support people now and as we transition through the recovery phase with a particular emphasis on supporting mental health and changes to the management of long-term health conditions.

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The wellbeing of working-age adults with and without disability in the UK: Associations with age, gender, ethnicity, partnership status, educational attainment and employment status

Cited by 31 publications

References 27 publications

‘Kindness By Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of A Participatory Public Mental Health Project

‘Kindness By Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of A Participatory Public Mental Health Project

Loneliness, social support, social isolation and wellbeing among working age adults with and without disability: Cross-sectional study

Exploring the awareness, attitudes, and actions (AAA) of UK adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19

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