Tomoya Takahashi1, Kumiko Nonaka2, Hiroko Matsunaga2, Masami Hasebe3, Hiroshi Murayama4, Takashi Koike5, Yoh Murayama2, Erika Kobayashi2, Yoshinori Fujiwara2. 1. Research Team for Social Participation and Health Promotion, Japan. Electronic address: ttkhs@tmig.or.jp. 2. Research Team for Social Participation and Health Promotion, Japan. 3. Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Seigakuin University, Japan. 4. Research Team for Social Participation and Health Promotion, Japan; Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo, Japan. 5. Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We analyzed the data from a 2-year prospective-cohort survey to identify factors relating to new incidences of social isolation and recovery from social isolation in community-dwelling older people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study (2013-2015) involving 2657 older residents of Iriarai, Japan. A chi-square test, an independent t-test, and logistic regression analysis with imputed data were conducted to examine categorical data, continuous variables, and factors relating to social isolation, respectively. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: The results suggested that the factors that predicted future social isolation included being a man, being older, living with others, having a decline in mental health, having a lower frequency of going out, and not participating in community groups. On the other hand, being younger, having a higher level of mental health, having a higher frequency of going out, and participating in community groups were identified as factors that predicted participants' recovery from social isolation. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Some demographic, mental, and social factors could relate to new incidences of social isolation and recovery from social isolation in community-dwelling older people. As aging is an irreversible phenomenon, and there is a limit to preventing all disorders, either building a safety net or introducing exchange programs to prevent social isolation are important interventions for older people.
PURPOSE: We analyzed the data from a 2-year prospective-cohort survey to identify factors relating to new incidences of social isolation and recovery from social isolation in community-dwelling older people. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study (2013-2015) involving 2657 older residents of Iriarai, Japan. A chi-square test, an independent t-test, and logistic regression analysis with imputed data were conducted to examine categorical data, continuous variables, and factors relating to social isolation, respectively. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: The results suggested that the factors that predicted future social isolation included being a man, being older, living with others, having a decline in mental health, having a lower frequency of going out, and not participating in community groups. On the other hand, being younger, having a higher level of mental health, having a higher frequency of going out, and participating in community groups were identified as factors that predicted participants' recovery from social isolation. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Some demographic, mental, and social factors could relate to new incidences of social isolation and recovery from social isolation in community-dwelling older people. As aging is an irreversible phenomenon, and there is a limit to preventing all disorders, either building a safety net or introducing exchange programs to prevent social isolation are important interventions for older people.
Authors: T Hata; S Seino; Y Yokoyama; M Narita; M Nishi; A Hida; S Shinkai; A Kitamura; Y Fujiwara Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2022 Impact factor: 5.285