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Altered behavioral responses to intense foot shock in socially-isolated rats.

Male Wistar rats were isolated immediately after weaning for 12 weeks and exposed to electric foot shock of various intensities. The shock-elicited jumping behavior was measured every ten minutes for one hr. The frequency of jumping in isolated rats was lower than that in grouped and the difference between two groups was the greatest with the most intense shock. In these experimental situations, there was no significant difference in monoamine turnover rate between the two groups while noradrenaline turnover markedly increased in both groups. Chlorpromazine suppressed the jumping in a dose-dependent manner in both groups with stronger suppression in isolated rats. Methamphetamine facilitated the jumping in grouped rats dose-dependently while the drug rather depressed it in the isolated. From these results and the behavioral similarity between the isolated and 6-hydroxydopamine treated rats under foot shock situation, it was suggested that the receptor supersensitivity of central catecholaminergic neurons was involved in the behavioral change in isolated rats.

Aggression

The effects of a modeling film on social isolation in preschool children: a methodological investigation.

Children in Headstart program (N=113) were assessed on two occasions using a naturalistic observation system and peer sociometric measures. Thirty-two children were selected by O'Connor's (1969, 1972) convergent criteria of teacher rankings and being below 15% peer interaction frequency. Half of the children saw an experimental modeling film designed to teach children how to initiate entry into peer groups and half of the children saw a control film. The present investigation included methodological elements left uncontrolled in previous investigations. Results indicated no significant multivariate F ratios for treatment main effects, sociometric main effects, or treatment by sociometric interactions. This failure to replicate previous results with the O'Connor film raises serious methodological criticisms of previous work with socially withdrawn children.

Behavior Therapy

Influence of sociality following isolation on feeding rhythms of monkeys entrained to artificial light schedules.

Socialization following a period of isolation disrupted the feeding rhythms of monkeys entrained to artificial light schedules. When isolation was reinstituted, the performances of the subjects, which had shifted during socialization, reverted to profiles similar to but not the same as they were in the initial isolation period. The strength of the social factor may have derived, in part, from the effects of the isolation which preceded the socialization phase.

Animals

Teaching social skills to isolated children.

The effects of a social skill training program on socially isolated children are reported. The training program was derived from the results of a previous study of the specific social skills that discriminated popular from unpopular children. Training effects in the present investigation were assessed on sociometric position, and on the quality, frequency, and distribution of social interaction to peers. Time-series analyses were performed on the frequency and distribution of peer interaction. Two isolated children received social skill training with an adult coach, and two isolated children spent an equivalent amount of time with an adult. Results indicated that socially isolated children in the treatment group changed significantly in sociometric position on a follow-up assessment 9 weeks after the end of the intervention, did not change in the total frequency of peer social interaction, but did redistribute their interaction to peers. The two isolated children who did not receive the treatment program did not change significantly on the total frequency of peer interaction, and tended to withdraw from peers rather than redistribute their interaction. The insensitivity of total peer interaction frequency as a measure of outcome was discussed.

Behavior Therapy

The relation between physical, psychological, and social morbidity in a suburban community.

Questionnaire scales of physical, psychological, and social morbidity were utilized to discover the relation between these indices in a representative Australian suburban sample of 863 adults aged 20-69 years. The physical and psychological morbidity of the sample was considerable and comparable to that revealed by other health surveys. There was a positive association between the occurrence of physical and psychological illness. The level of social isolation was low and in this residentially stable sample there was no association between social isolation and either physical or psychological morbidity.

Adult

Psychogeriatric hospital admissions from the community and institutions.

In a sample of 100 psychogeriatric admissions to three Toronto hospitals, the elderly in other institutions, including old age and nursing homes, and those living alone in the community were over-represented. Patients who had lived with relatives, on the other hand, were found to be at low risk for psychogeriatric hospitalization. These three groups of patients were compared using information obtained from psychiatric and social interviews with patients and informants, usually close relatives. Identification of specific needs for the various groups and the implication of these differences for the improvement of psychogeriatric care and prevention of unnecessary hospitalization are discussed. Institutional residents suffered more major physical illness, were less able to maintain functional independence, were referred more often for harmful behavior, were more socially isolated, and had a poorer outcome than community patients. Patients living along lacked familial support, but were not otherwise more socially isolated that those living with relatives, and showed no other deficits. The subjective and objective burdens on the patients' families before admission were considerable. The results are consistent with previous literature on the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living

A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies of Depression and Loneliness in Black Women with Hypertension in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension disproportionately affects Black women with subsequent complications that can extend beyond physical health. Notably, there is a significant relationship between hypertension, depression, and loneliness, with hypertensive Black women more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression. Since loneliness and social isolation are predictors of depression, recognizing and addressing these interconnected health concerns could improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This systematic review presents a synthesis of findings on depression screening practices, depression symptoms, and loneliness in quantitative studies of Black women with hypertension in the United States. METHODS: Using the EbscoHost platform, a comprehensive literature search for studies measuring depression and loneliness in Black women with hypertension was conducted. The following databases were selected: Medline Complete, CINAHL Complete, APA PsychArticles, and PsychINFO. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were included; 16 focused on depression, and these studies highlighted a significant burden of depression in this demographic compared to their counterparts. Five studies reported loneliness and its relation to depression and hypertension. Loneliness and social isolation, as independent risk factors, exacerbated symptoms of depression and contributed to the onset and progression of hypertension. Two prior reviews corroborated these findings. Studies have emphasized the role of trust in clinical interactions and the importance of appropriate therapeutic interventions. DISCUSSION: Black women with hypertension are at a heightened risk for symptoms of depression, compounded by feelings of loneliness. Loneliness and depression are linked to physiological stress, contributing to hypertension. These problems are underrecognized and undertreated across populations, and this lack of recognition and treatment contributes to health inequity.

Humans

Social functioning and self-care in hospitalized psychogeriatric patients.

Evaluations of social disability have been found useful in determining factors of diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic significance in the management of psychogeriatric patients. A random sample of 100 psychogeriatric patients aged 65 or over admitted to three Toronto hospitals were studied prospectively. Standardized clinical and social interview schedules were used to assess patients' mental state, self-care capacity, social isolation, burden on the family and household contribution before admission. These assessments were carried out to determine their significance with respect to diagnosis and outcome. Self-care capacity, as measured by the Activities of Daily Living Performance Test or by informant report, was related to diagnosis and outcome measures in this sample. Social isolation was significantly correlated with length of hospital stay. Burden on the family was not found to be significantly associated with diagnosis or outcome although there was a tendency for patients with organic disorders to present more difficulties for their families. The severe burden imposed on relatives suggests the need for utilization of community social and medical services to provide relief for families of psychogeriatric patients. The implications for management are considered in the light of the above findings.

Activities of Daily Living

Environmentally induced differences in susceptibility of rats to CNS stimulants and CNS depressants: evidence against a unitary explanation.

It has been suggested that socially isolated rats are more aroused then rats raised in social groups. This hypothesis was tested by examining amphetamine-induced activity and stereotypy in social and isolated rats of both sexes in both the active and inactive phases of their diurnal activity cycle. In socially raised rats it was possible to produce behavioural profiles similar to those of isolated rats by increasing the arousal level of the social rat. However, the complex interaction of housing conditions, diurnal variation and gender with drug dose suggests that one intervening variable such as arousal is too simplistic an explanation. In subsequent experiments, stereotypy was enhanced by a familiar environment, and there was a clear dissociation between the effects of CNS stimulants and CNS depressants. The increased susceptibility of isolates to CNS stimulants depends on social isolation for a short period before 45 days of age; the decreased susceptibility of isolates to CNS depressants may be produced by isolation at any age. We conclude that there is no evidence that isolated rats are hyperaroused.

Animals

The social behavior of elderly aphasic versus nonaphasic long-term patients.

A study was made of the social consequences of communicative disorders among 51 elderly hospitalized long-term patients. Independent variables used to account for variations in social behavior were: 1) the presence or absence of aphasia, an impairment resulting in varying degrees of loss of verbal recognition, comprehension and language production; 2) sex; and 3) the level of nursing-care needs as an indicator of overall physical independence. A rating scale for measuring "Social Involvement" was constructed. It involved four analytically-derived factors - Interpersonal Behavior, Familial and Social Contacts, Group Participation, and Extent of Social Contacts. Since a comparison of the 15 aphasic and 36 nonaphasic subjects on the basis of these four factors revealed no substantial main effect, it would seem that social isolation was not attributable to aphasia per se. Rather, a number of significant interactions indicated that differences in the levels of social involvement were attributable to the combined influences of sex, presence or absence of aphasia, and varying levels of physical independence. The relationship between social involvement and social isolation has implications for the overall management and rehibilitation of long-term patients.

Aged

The biology of social attachments: opiates alleviate separation distress.

The possibility that brain opiate systems participate in the control of social affect was assessed by determining capacity of low doses of exogenous opiates (0.125-0.50 mg/kg oxymorphone, and 0.10-0.50 mg/kg morphine sulfate) to reduce distress vocalizations of socially isolated puppies. Low doses of opiates were capable of profoundly reducing crying as well as the motor agitation they exhibit during brief periods of social isolation. Since reductions in crying could be obtained with morphine in the absence of any gross behavioral disturbances, the possibility is entertained that brain opiates may function to control the intensity of emotions arising from social separation. Possible parallels between the biological nature of narcotic addiction and the formation of social bonds are discussed.

Animals

Social-olfactory experience and initiation of copulation in the virgin male rat.

Two experiments examined the role of olfactory sensation for initiation of normal copulatory behavior of mature male rats. Experiment 1 compared copulatory performance of peripherally anosmic social isolates with that of intact isolate controls. The results revealed significantly lower mounting, intromission, and ejaculation frequencies of the anosmic group and suggested that nonolfactory cues attain significance via an associative-learning process. Experiment 2 compared three social isolate groups of mature males with varying sexual experience prior to anosmia. Four 1-hr tests were conducted at 5-day intervals. The results indicated comparable copulatory performance of the experienced groups and absence of copulation by the majority of the nonexperienced group. With a 12-day continuous exposure to intact females, all noncopulators eventually impregnated. The results are discussed with reference to the requirement of social experience for initiation of normal sexual performance in the male rat.

Animals

Large-Scale Neuroimaging and Genetic Analyses of the Human Thalamus in Loneliness.

BACKGROUND: Although loneliness is prevalent and significantly impacts society globally, its neural and genetic bases remain poorly understood. The thalamus, which receives sensory information from the environment, may have a more significant role in social interactions than previously recognized. Here, we integrate neuroimaging and genetic approaches to characterize structural differences within the thalamus associated with loneliness. METHODS: We obtained thalamic nuclei volumes on brain scans from 45,834 individuals (age range: 45-82 years) in the UK Biobank and grouped them into 6 anatomical groups. We investigated effects of loneliness and social isolation using self-reported data. Then, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis on the genetic overlap between thalamic volumes and loneliness. RESULTS: The volumes of the whole thalamus and its medial, lateral, and posterior nuclei are significantly reduced in individuals with loneliness compared with those who do not feel lonely. Loneliness with frequent social contact is associated with smaller volumes, whereas social isolation without loneliness shows no such reduction in thalamus volumes. Leveraging data from GWASs on thalamic volumes (n = 30,114) and loneliness (n = 370,342) in the UK Biobank, we identified shared loci between thalamus structure and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the emerging view that the thalamus plays important roles in social interactions and in the experience of loneliness.

Genetic architecture

Rehabilitation of socially withdrawn preschool children through mixed-age and same-age socialization.

24 socially withdrawn preschool children were located through classroom observations and assigned to 3 conditions: (a) socialization with a younger child during 10 play sessions, (b) socialization with an age mate during a similar series of sessions, and (c) no treatment. The socialization sessions, particularly those with a younger partner, were found to increase the sociability of the withdrawn children in their classrooms. Significant increases occurred mainly in the rate with which positive social reinforcement was emitted. Generally, the results support a leadership deficit theory of social isolation. Possible mechanisms responsible for the observed changes are discussed.

Age Factors

The attitudes of psychiatrists toward etiological theories of schizophrenia.

This study is an analysis of psychiatrists' opinions on the etiology of schizophrenia. A random sample of members of the American Psychiatric Association uncovers a general hesitation on their part to subscribe to any particular etiological theory. Only four theories are viewed as causally related to schizophrenia: social isolation, cognitive breakdown, biochemical imbalance, and maternal deprivation. Attitudes toward etiological theories are significantly different among psychoanalysts, behaviorists, and eclectics. Attitudes also are related to the setting in which the psychiatrist practices.

Attitude of Health Personnel