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Results for “SOCIAL ISOLATION”

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PubMed2003

Children who speak of past-life experiences: is there a psychological explanation?

Children who claim to remember fragments of a past life are found in some countries. Various explanations have been put forward as to why the alleged memories develop, ranging from reincarnation to 'therapeutic resource'. This study puts to the test the role of some psychological characteristics and the circumstances in which the children live, such as fantasy, suggestibility, social isolation, dissociation, and attention-seeking. Thirty children in Lebanon who had persistently spoken of past-life memories, and 30 comparison children, were administered relevant tests and questionnaires. The target group obtained higher scores for daydreaming, attention-seeking, and dissociation, but not for social isolation and suggestibility. The level of dissociation was much lower than in cases of multiple personality and not clinically relevant. There was some evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms. Eighty per cent of the children spoke of past-life memories of circumstances leading to a violent death (mostly accidents, also war-related deaths and murder). It is discussed if this imagery-when experienced repeatedly-may serve as a stressor.

Child↗

PubMed2004

Suicide and friendships among American adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between friendships and suicidality among male and female adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed friendship data on 13,465 adolescents from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health to explore the relationship between friendship and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We controlled for known factors associated with suicidality. RESULTS: Having had a friend who committed suicide increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts for both boys and girls. Socially isolated females were more likely to have suicidal thoughts, as were females whose friends were not friends with each other. Among adolescents thinking about suicide, suicide attempts appear largely stochastic, with few consistent risk factors between boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: The friendship environment affects suicidality for both boys and girls. Female adolescents' suicidal thoughts are significantly increased by social isolation and friendship patterns in which friends were not friends with each other.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2026

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↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A cross-cultural assessment of perceived health problems in the elderly.

To study cross-cultural differences in perceived health problems in the elderly the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) developed by Hunt et al. was administered to subjects from the People's Republic of China and Australia. The Australian stratum was further categorized according to cardiovascular status. Analyses of covariance (with age as the covariate) on each of the six subscales of the NHP yielded significant differences for 'Energy', 'Pain', 'Emotional reactions', 'Social isolation' and 'Physical mobility'. No differences were found for the 'Sleep' subscale. Through comparisons between the mean scores for the four strata and from normative data it is concluded that it is likely that the NHP is 'culture free' on the dimensions 'Energy', 'Pain', 'Emotional reactions', 'Social isolation' and 'Physical mobility'.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

["Quality of life" of the elderly population: a survey to evaluate elderly people's self -perceived health in 11 Italian regions (Argento Study, 2002).].

Self-perception of health influences the quality of life of the elderly. In order to identify the more vulnerable elderly and guide interventions to improve health in this population group, we evaluated self-perceived health of elderly people through a set of 4 questions called the "Healthy Days Measures", which were incorporated into the Argento Study. The latter is a study performed to evaluate the health status of the elderly population in 11 Italian regions (2002). Methods. Following cluster sampling, 2,369 elderly subjects (>64 years) were interviewed at home, by trained personnel, through a standardized questionnaire. Self-rated health (on a scale from poor to excellent) was estimated, as well as the average number of days during the previous month when physical or mental health was not good and the number of activity limitation days. Multivariate analysis was performed using Sudaan software and by considering the following outcomes: self-perceived health, physical or mental problems or activity limitations for more than 1 day. Prevalence rates by gender, age, civil status, education level, home situation, place of residence, chronic diseases, dependence on a caregiver, sedentariness and social isolation, were calculated. Results. 34.7% of interviewed subjects rated their health as good to excellent. A significantly lower proportion of women, older subjects (>75 years), those with a lower education level, those residing in southern Italy, those suffering from chronic illnesses, those dependent on a caregiver, and socially isolated or sedentary subjects rated their health favorably. The mean number of physically and mentally unhealthy days (summary index) was estimated to be 11.3 per month. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender was significantly associated with all outcomes considered; age and education level did not show any significant associations with the outcomes considered; depression was significantly associated with self-rated health and with number of mentally unhealthy days; physical dependence and sedentariness were associated with an increased risk for all outcomes, especially activity limitation days. Conclusions. These results suggest that depression, physical dependence and sedentariness influence self-perceived health more so than socio-demographic characteristics. Public Health may have a relevant role in promoting and guiding interventions to prevent these factors in the elderly. The introduction of Healthy Days measures in health surveillance systems may be an important public health tool for monitoring perceived health status and in intervention planning and evaluation at both the national and local levels.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Functional alteration of brain dopaminergic system in isolated aggressive mice.

The present study examined the effects of social isolation on cortical dopamine (DA) release in vivo and on brain DA receptor functions to study the possible involvement of cortical DA neurons in an antiaggressive effect of the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor agonist (S)-5-[3-[(1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethyl)amino] propoxy]-1,3-benzodioxole HCl (MKC-242). MKC-242 and the DA receptor agonist apomorphine reduced aggressive behavior in isolated mice. MKC-242 increased cortical DA release in vivo in mice, and the effect was antagonized by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide. The basal level of extracellular DA in the frontal cortex was higher in isolated mice than in grouped mice. MKC-242-induced and high K(+)-induced increases in the cortical DA release were less pronounced in isolated mice than in grouped mice. The effect of apomorphine on locomotor activity was more pronounced in isolated mice than in grouped mice. These findings suggest that the isolation stress enhances cortical DA release and the brain DA receptor function and reduces the responses of the dopaminergic terminals to 5-HT1A receptor stimulation and high K(+)-induced depolarization.

Aggression↗

PubMed2005

Vocal buffering of the stress response: exposure to conspecific vocalizations moderates urinary cortisol excretion in isolated marmosets.

For many species, the presence of a significant social partner can lessen the behavioral and physiological responses to stressful stimuli. This study examined whether a single, individually specific, signature vocalization (phee call) could attenuate the physiological stress response that is induced in marmosets by housing them in short-term social isolation. Utilizing a repeated-measures design, adult marmosets (n=10) were temporarily isolated from their long-term pair mate and exposed to three conditions: signature vocalizations from the pair mate, phee calls from an unfamiliar opposite sex individual, or no auditory stimuli. Levels of urinary cortisol were monitored as a physiological indicator of the stress response. Urinary cortisol levels were also monitored, while subjects remained undisturbed in their home cages to provide baseline levels. Temporarily isolated marmosets showed significantly higher levels of urinary cortisol than undisturbed marmosets. However, the nature of the acoustic stimulus experienced during isolation led to differences in the excretion of urinary cortisol. Isolated marmosets exposed to a familiar pair mate's vocalization showed significantly lower levels of urinary cortisol than when exposed to unfamiliar marmoset vocalizations (P <0.04) or to no auditory stimuli (P <0.03). Neither the duration of pairing nor the quality of relationship in the pair (indexed by spatial proximity scores) predicted the magnitude of reduction in cortisol in the familiar vocalization condition. The results presented here provide the first evidence that a single, individually specific communication signal can decrease the magnitude of a physiological stress response in a manner analogous to the physical presence of a social partner, a process we term "vocal buffering."

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2004

Observations from practice: support group membership as a process of social capital formation among female survivors of domestic violence.

This article explores the authors' practice observations of female domestic violence survivors' journey from first agency contact to active participation in a support group process. The authors have witnessed female victims of domestic violence challenging the social isolation imposed by their dominant partners as they search for meaning in their lives. As practitioners, they have observed women building trustful relationships and establishing supportive networks during the group process. In this article, the authors suggest that the support group process facilitates trust and network formation indicative of social capital.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Screaming in nursing home residents.

This article reports the results of two studies of screaming in the nursing home. The first was a survey study of 408 nursing home residents, which revealed that 25% of the residents screamed at least four times a week. Screaming was associated with cognitive impairment, depressed affect, social networks of poor quality, and severe impairment in the performance of activities of daily living. The second study was an in-depth observational study of five residents who screamed frequently. Residents screamed more often when they were alone in their rooms during the evening hours, suggesting that screaming may arise as a response to social isolation.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Fluoxetine and norfluoxetine stereospecifically facilitate pentobarbital sedation by increasing neurosteroids.

Mice housed in social isolation exhibit a decreased response to gamma-aminobutyric acid-mimetic drugs [i.e., pentobarbital (PTB)] associated with a down-regulation of telencephalic allopregnanolone (Allo) levels. In these mice, the PTB-induced loss of righting reflex is greatly reduced. Fluoxetine (FLX) and norfluoxetine (NFLX) stereospecifically reverse the effect of social isolation on the PTB-induced loss of righting reflex and on the decrease of telencephalic Allo content. The S-isomers of FLX and NFLX are 2- and 7-fold more potent, respectively, than their respective R-isomers. The EC(50)s of FLX and NFLX required to normalize brain Allo content and PTB action are 10-50 times lower than the IC(50)s required for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor activity. We conclude that normalization of PTB action elicited by the S-isomers of FLX and NFLX is related to the reversal of the down-regulation of brain Allo content and is independent of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Health-related quality of life of chronic headache patients is predicted by the emotional component of their pain.

Questions to be answered by this study were: (1) what is the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of migraine and tension headache patients who consult their general practitioner, and (2) what are the unique contributions of the perceptual and emotional components of headaches to the HRQL. The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to measure the HRQL of patients with migraine (n = 27), tension headache (n = 25), both migraine and tension headache (n = 17), and two reference groups. Perceptual components of the pain (intensity, frequency, and duration) were measured with a headache diary, while emotional components were measured with five visual analogue scales (for tension, depression, frustration, anger and fear). The NHP dimensions of pain, sleep, energy, and social isolation revealed that each headache patient group had a lower HRQL than the healthy reference group. There were no differences in HRQL between the headache groups. Regarding the second question: it was found that the greater the patient's emotional pain, the more problems he or she had with physical mobility and social isolation. Neither the type of headache nor the headache index were related to the HRQL of the patient. We recommend to increase the research efforts concerning tension headache and to measure the emotional component of pain in clinical trials.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Caregiver depression after bereavement: chronic stress isn't over when it's over.

Although the adverse mental health consequences of caregiving for a relative with a progressive dementia are well documented, little is known about caregivers' adaptation after bereavement. This longitudinal study examined changes in three groups: continuing caregivers, who had been caregiving across a 4-year period (n = 98), bereaved caregivers, whose impaired relative died between Years 1 and 4 (n = 49), and controls (n = 107). Although a mean of 19.8 months had elapsed since bereavement by Year 4, bereaved and continuing caregivers did not differ on syndromal depression or depressive symptoms; both groups were significantly more depressed than controls. Time since bereavement was unrelated to depression or social support. Those caregivers who ruminated more about caregiving after bereavement reported more depression, greater stress, and greater social isolation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Mental and physical symptoms associated with lower social support for patients with hepatitis C.

AIM: To systematically examine the impact of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis on patients' level of social support in a large-scale study. METHODS: Patients evaluated and treated for HCV in a tertiary referral center were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Demographic data, functional and emotional status as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), severity of liver disease, mode of acquisition, and physical and psychiatric comorbidities were collected from patients or abstracted from the medical record. All participants completed a semi-structured interview, addressing questions of social support. RESULTS: A total of 342 patients (mean age 45.2 years; 37% women) were enrolled. Ninety-two (27%) patients described lower levels of support by family and friends. Nearly half of the participants (45%) noted the loss of at least one relationship due to the disease. Fears related to transmitting the disease (25%) were common and often associated with ignorance or even discrimination by others (19%). Nearly one fifth of the patients did not share information about their disease with others to avoid being stigmatized. Lower levels of social support were significantly associated with living alone, being unemployed, being excluded from antiviral therapy, having psychiatric comorbidities, contracting HCV through intravenous drug use, having high levels of anxiety and depression as measured by the HAD and negative mood state as measured by the SIP. Patients reporting lower levels of social support also noted more physical symptoms as measured by the SIP. CONCLUSION: Patients with hepatitis C often face significant social problems, ranging from social isolation to familial stress. The most common concerns reflect a limited insight of patients and their relatives and friends about the disease, the risk factors for its spread, and about potential consequences. Our data suggest that educational interventions targeting support persons and the stressors identified in our findings may lessen or alleviate the social strains patients with hepatitis C experience.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of hepatitis C support groups.

Chronic hepatitis C infection has become the most common blood-borne pathogen in the United States, affecting an estimated 4 million Americans. The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C carries with it threats to quality of life and life expectancy. Furthermore, the label of chronic hepatitis C encumbers the individual with concerns about contagiousness, social isolation, altered role function, stigmatization, loss of control, and the uncertainty and anxiety inherent in any chronic illness. These factors have a significant emotional effect on the affected individual and his or her family. Although biomedical research continues to seek new therapies for hepatitic C virus and methods of prevention and control, our health and social systems also must develop strategies to facilitate adjustment, provide education and caring, and enhance well-being. Abundant research supports the premise that social support facilitates patient well-being and contributes to health and health promotion through interpersonal interactions. Gastroenterology nurses are well positioned to facilitate improved outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus by initiating interventions designed to enhance existing sources of social support or to promote new ones. Development of psychosocial interventions, such as support groups, aimed at maintaining or fostering social support, may improve health outcomes and promote a higher health-related quality of life for persons living with chronic hepatitis C virus.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1994

Decreased psychological well-being in adult patients with growth hormone deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Besides effects on body composition, bone mineral content and lipid metabolism, GH seems to influence quality of life, according to previous studies of limited numbers of patients with GH deficiency of childhood and adult origin. In this study psychological well-being was assessed in a large number of patients with GH deficiency of adult origin. DESIGN: A follow-up study of patients with hypopituitarism on routine replacement therapy with L-thyroxine, cortisone acetate and sex steroids. PATIENTS: Eighty-six patients (51 men, mean age 55.4 years and 35 women, mean age 54.9 years) diagnosed as having growth hormone deficiency on the basis of low IGF-I concentration or a maximum GH response less than 5 mU/l after an insulin/glucagon tolerance test. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of life was measured with a self-rating questionnaire, the Nottingham Health Profile, and the results were compared with the results from 86 controls matched for age, gender, marital status and socioeconomic class. Furthermore, the observed and expected number of disablement pensions were calculated. RESULTS: The mean total score of the patients was higher, i.e. worse (P < 0.05), than that of the matching controls, indicating a higher level of perceived health problems among the patients. There were higher scores (poorer life quality) for energy (P < 0.001), social isolation (P < 0.01), emotional reaction (P = 0.056) and sex life (P < 0.001) among patients compared with controls. Finally, the observed number of disablement pension among the patients tended to be higher than expected (19 vs 12.4, P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with GH deficiency have a decreased psychological well-being in terms of energy, social isolation and emotional reaction and a disturbed sex life compared with normals. Furthermore, there is a tendency to a higher frequency of early retirement.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Use of the Jones Criteria in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in an Australian rural setting.

OBJECTIVE: To answer the question, are the Jones Criteria being used appropriately in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) by non-specialist medical staff in a remote Australian setting? METHODS: The medical records of all patients discharged from Katherine Hospital (Northern Territory) with a diagnosis of ARF between January 2000 and April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for adherence to the Jones Criteria. Data were also collected on specialist follow-up and need for transfer to a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had a diagnosis of ARF and all were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Thirty-two per cent did not fulfil the Jones Criteria and of these 63% were recurrent cases. Eighty-eight per cent received specialist follow-up and of those who did not fulfil the Jones Criteria, all were diagnosed as ARF by the specialist. Only 20% required transfer to a tertiary hospital for higher-level care. CONCLUSION: The Jones Criteria are being used appropriately to diagnose initial episodes of ARF but less successfully in recurrent episodes. Specialist follow-up is essential but acute episodes can be managed in remote settings, reducing the need to transfer patients to tertiary care with resultant patient dislocation and social isolation. IMPLICATIONS: The diagnosis of ARF results in long-term penicillin prophylaxis. This is a major public health undertaking that requires correct diagnosis. This study demonstrates that the Jones Criteria are being used appropriately to diagnose ARF in a remote setting. The ability to diagnose and treat Indigenous patients within their local region reduces social isolation and creates a more positive health care experience.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Loneliness, depression, stress, and social supports in neglectful families.

Comparisons of neglectful with non-neglectful low-SES parents revealed that the neglectful parents reported more life stresses, greater depression and loneliness, and weaker informal social supports. In the neglectful families, loneliness was positively associated with life stresses and negatively associated with network supports, but not with caseworker-assessed social isolation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

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↗