Yeon-Hwan Park; Hee Sun Kang

doi:10.4040/jkan.2008.38.5.712

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Original Article
Factors Associated with Social Isolation in Older Adults using Senior Welfare Centers: Yeon-Hwan Park, Hee Sun Kang; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2008;38(5):712-719.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2008.38.5.712
Published online: October 30, 2008

¹Assistant Professor, Researcher, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

²Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kang, Hee Sun. Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756, Korea. Tel: 82-2-820-5699, Fax: 82-2-824-7961, goodcare@cau.ac.kr

• Received: August 18, 2008 • Accepted: October 6, 2008

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Abstract
REFERENCES

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with social isolation in older adults using a senior welfare center.
Methods
This study was a cross-sectional survey. Data was collected from June to August 2006 using a questionnaire. A total of 248 older adults responded.
Results
About one third (34.9%) of participants responded they felt socially isolated. There were statistically significant differences in living, religion, family and belongingness social support, loneliness, depression, family function, perceived health status, and number of chronic illnesses between socially isolated and non isolated groups. However, factors influencing social isolation were family function (OR=0.954, CI=0.926-0.982), loneliness (OR=1.042, CI=1.002-1.083), depression (OR=1.041, CI=1.002-1.081), and number of chronic illness (OR=1.657, CI=1.153-2.382).
Conclusion
We found that some older adults were feeling socially isolated even though the senior welfare center was a good place to meet people. The findings of this study indicated that older adults suffering from social isolation need special attention and may benefit from interventions which promote health and social interactions. Further studies are needed to develop and evaluate an intervention program for this population.
Keywords: Social isolation; Depression; Family; Loneliness; Aged

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Table 1

Comparison of General Characteristics between Groups (N=248)

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 2

The Differences of Variables between Groups

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 3

Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors which Influence Social Isolation

CI=confidence interval.

Figure & Data

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Factors Associated with Social Isolation in Older Adults using Senior Welfare Centers

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2008;38(5):712-719. Published online October 30, 2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2008.38.5.712

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Factors Associated with Social Isolation in Older Adults using Senior Welfare Centers

Table 1

Comparison of General Characteristics between Groups (N=248)

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 2

The Differences of Variables between Groups

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 3

Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors which Influence Social Isolation

CI=confidence interval.

Table 1 Comparison of General Characteristics between Groups (N=248)

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 2 The Differences of Variables between Groups

^*p<.05.

Group I=older people perceived not socially isolated; Group II=older people perceived socially isolated.

Table 3 Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors which Influence Social Isolation

CI=confidence interval.