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Social isolation undermines quality of life in older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2019

Karla Moreno-Tamayo Open the ORCID record for Karla Moreno-Tamayo [Opens in a new window] ,
Betty Manrique-Espinoza ,
Eliseo Ramírez-García  and
Sergio Sánchez-García
Karla Moreno-Tamayo*
Affiliation:
Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área Envejecimiento, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Cuidad de México, México
Betty Manrique-Espinoza
Affiliation:
Centro de Investigación en Evaluación y Encuestas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
Eliseo Ramírez-García
Affiliation:
Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área Envejecimiento, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Cuidad de México, México
Sergio Sánchez-García
Affiliation:
Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área Envejecimiento, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Cuidad de México, México
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Karla Moreno-Tamayo, Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área Envejecimiento, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, CP: 06720, Ciudad de México, México. Phone: +52 (55) 56276900, ext. 21846. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

Several studies have documented associations between social isolation and poor physical health or well-being. However, little is known of the importance of social support among older adults on specific topics about their quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between social isolation and quality of life among older adults.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Mexico City.

Participants:

1,252 subjects aged ≥ 60 years living at home.

Measurements:

We used the Abbreviated Version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) to assess social isolation and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-Old) to assess quality of life. Socio-demographic and health factors were collected through face-to-face interviews. A series of linear regression analyses were used to investigate relationship between social isolation and quality of life. The statistical models were controlled for socio-demographic and health factors.

Results:

A total of 750 women (60%) and 502 men (40%) participated in the study. According to their LSNS-6 scores, 426 participants (34.0%) were classified into the highest group of isolation (range 0-10 points). Older adults with higher scores of social isolation exhibited lower quality of life. Regression analyses indicated that social isolation correlated with lower levels of global quality of life, autonomy, intimacy, and past, present, and future activities.

Conclusions:

Coping with life from a socially isolated situation entails serious difficulties concerning quality of life. Interventions that foster environments where older adults can forge social bonds might improve their quality of life.

Keywords

social isolationolder adultsautonomyquality of lifeMexico
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 32 , Special Issue 11: Issue Theme: Risk versus Protective Factors for Decline versus Well-Being , November 2020 , pp. 1283 - 1292
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2019

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