En Afrique subsaharienne, d’importantes mutations sociales, économiques et démographiques sont en cours. Leurs conséquences sur les formes et la force des solidarités familiales posent des défis à la procuration de soutien social. Malgré ces transformations, l’isolement social y demeure peu abordé. L’objectif principal de la thèse est de proposer un approche démographique ancrée dans le paradigme des réseaux sociaux pour étudier le phénomène de l’isolement social chez les Siin Sereer de Niakhar, un groupe ethnique du bassin arachidier au Sénégal rural. Le premier article de cette thèse vise à identifier un cadre théorique pour étudier l’isolement social en Afrique subsaharienne rurale et décrire les formes de cet isolement ainsi que les évènements à son origine. Des entretiens qualitatifs individuels ont permis d’identifier le niveau d’intégration au sein du système d’assurance informelle et la (mauvaise) qualité des relations sociales comme dimensions principales de l’isolement social. Le cadre théorique des sociétés de solidarités et des principes de l’économie morale permettent de cerner l’organisation sociale ainsi que le système de protection sociale prévalant dans ce contexte. Ce faisant, les motifs de l’isolement social sont compris de manière contextuelle. À partir des résultats de l’analyse qualitative, le deuxième article de la thèse vise à développer une typologie des réseaux sociaux capable de rendre compte de l'isolement social et décrire les caractéristiques socio-démographiques des individus dans les différents types de réseaux sociaux identifiés. Cette approche par méthodes mixtes permet de développer une classification sensible aux spécificités culturelles, fondée sur l'expérience locale de la sociabilité et de l'isolement social. En plus des groupes intégrés localement et élites locales, les résultats suggèrent l’existence de deux réseaux dépourvus socialement (isolés localement et relations contraintes) qui représentent près de la moitié des résidents du village. Cette distribution suggère que la vulnérabilité socialeest un enjeu important dans ce contexte. La description socio-démographique des réseaux indique que les femmes sont surreprésentées dans les deux types de réseaux sociaux dépourvus socialement. Le dernier article de la thèse étudie les déterminants de la dimension subjective de l’isolement social, la solitude. Nous incluons dans nos analyses les caractéristiques socio-démographiques des répondants ainsi que leur niveau d’intégration sociale, opérationnalisée à travers notre typologie des réseaux sociaux qui est capable de rendre compte de l'isolement social. Nos analyses révèlent qu’à Niakhar, certains déterminants de la solitude sont spécifiques aux hommes ou aux femmes, et d’autres leur sont communs. Aussi, l’étude suggère que l’effet du niveau d’intégration sociale sur la solitude varie selon l’âge et le sexe. Comparativement aux hommes, pour les femmes, un niveau élevé d’intégration sociale n’est pas garant d’une absence de solitude et de déprime. Pour elles, les enjeux autour de ces sentiments négatifs résident plus fortement dans la proximité avec leurs enfants. Les résultats de cette thèse contribuent à la fois à une meilleure compréhension et une mesure plus adéquate de l’isolement social dans un contexte différent des sociétés industrialisées où, face aux changements sociaux en cours, l’effritement des solidarités sociales risque d’entraîner un agrandissement des inégalités sociales et de vulnérabiliser une proportion croissante de résidents des milieux ruraux. / In sub-Saharan Africa, major social, economic, and demographic changes are underway. Their consequences on the forms and strength of family solidarities challenge the provision of social support. Despite these transformations, social isolation remains little studied and understood. This dissertation aims to propose a demographic approach anchored in the social network paradigm to study social isolation among the Siin Sereer, an ethnic group in the groundnut basin of rural Senegal. The first article aims to identify a theoretical framework for studying social isolation in rural sub-Saharan Africa and to describe the forms as well as the events leading to social isolation. Individual qualitative interviews were used to identify the level of integration within the informal insurance system and the quality of social relations as the main dimensions of social isolation. The theoretical framework of solidarity societies and the principles of the moral economy are used to identify the social organization and the social protection system prevailing in this context. In this way, social isolation is understood in a contextual way. Based on the findings of the qualitative analysis, the second paper aims to develop a typology of social networks capable of accounting for social isolation and to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals in the different types of social networks identified. This mixed-methods approach allows for the development of a culturally sensitive classification based on the local experience of sociability and social isolation. In addition to the locally integrated and local elite groups, the results suggest the existence of two socially deprived networks (locally isolated and constrained relationships) that account for almost half of of the village residents. This distribution suggests that social vulnerability is an important issue in this context. The socio-demographic description of the networks indicates that women are over-represented in both types of socially deprived networks. The last paper investigates the determinants of the subjective dimension of social isolation, loneliness. We include in our analyses the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as their level of social integration, operationalized through our typology of social networks which can capture social isolation. Our analyses reveal that in Niakhar, some determinants of loneliness are specific to men or women, and others are common to both sexes. Also, the study suggests that the effect of the level of social integration on loneliness varies with age and sex. Compared to men, for women, a high level of social integration does not guarantee an absence of loneliness and depression. For them, the issues surrounding these negative feelings lie more strongly in the proximity to their children. This dissertation contributes to both a better understanding and a more adequate measurement of social isolation in a context different from that of industrialized societies where, in the face of ongoing social change, the erosion of social solidarities risks leading to an increase in social inequalities and the vulnerability of a growing proportion of rural residents.

Introduction : L’isolement social est un problème de santé publique qui est lié à des résultats de santé négatifs. Cependant, le niveau d’association entre l’isolement social et la santé reste inconnu. Cette association peut être influencée par des facteurs biologiques associés à l’âge, tels que la fragilité. L’objectif général de cette thèse était d’examiner les interrelations entre l’isolement social, la fragilité et les résultats de santé physique, mentale et cognitive chez les personnes âgées au Québec. Méthodes : Les données proviennent des trois phases de l’étude longitudinale FRéLE, une étude de population auprès de 1643 personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus vivant à domicile dans la province de Québec au Canada. S’appuyant sur la théorie de Berkman, nous avons mesuré l’isolement social par la participation sociale, les réseaux sociaux et le soutien social provenant de différents liens sociaux tels que les amis, la famille nucléaire et la famille élargie. Nous avons opérationnalisé la fragilité en utilisant le phénotype de fragilité de Fried. Les résultats de santé comprenaient l’incapacité physique, la comorbidité, la dépression et la fonction cognitive. Pour atteindre notre objectif, premièrement nous avons effectué un examen de la portée afin de synthétiser la littérature existante sur l’interrelation entre l’isolement social, la fragilité et la santé ainsi que leurs modérateurs et médiateurs. Deuxièmement, nous avons réalisé une série de modèles de régression multivariés pour examiner si la fragilité joue un rôle modérateur sur les relations entre l’isolement social et la santé dans un premier temps. Troisièmement, nous avons réalisé une série de modèles de croissance pour examiner l’effet modérateur des changements de la fragilité sur les associations entre les changements de la relation sociale et la santé en deux ans. Résultats : Les résultats de l’examen de la portée ont révélé que la fragilité était fortement liée à la mauvaise santé. Cependant, peu d’études ont trouvé une association entre l’isolement social et la santé. En outre, l’association entre le soutien social et les résultats de santé était plus significative que celle des réseaux sociaux et la participation sociale (étude 1- Chapitre 4). Conformément aux résultats de l’examen de la portée, l’analyse transversale a démontré que l’isolement social, plus précisément ou particulièrement le soutien social est lié à la santé mentale et cognitive plutôt qu’à la santé physique chez les personnes âgées. L’analyse de modération a montré que les personnes âgées fragiles qui recevaient du soutien social de leurs amis, participaient à des activités sociales et qui avaient des amis et des fratries étaient en meilleure santé mentale et cognitive que les robustes (étude 2- Chapitre 5). L’analyse de modération longitudinale a révélé que les changements dans la fragilité ont un effet modérateur sur l’association entre les changements dans la participation sociale, le soutien social ainsi que les contacts sociaux avec les amis sur les changements dans la santé cognitive et mentale (étude 3- Chapitre 6). Conclusion : Cette étude longitudinale suggère que le soutien social et la qualité de la relation jouent un rôle compensatoire dans l’amélioration de la santé mentale des personnes âgées fragiles dès le début et au fil du temps. Les résultats éclairent davantage le rôle central des amitiés et de la participation sociale dans l’amélioration de l’état de santé des personnes âgées sur deux ans. / Introduction: Social isolation is a public health issue that is linked to various adverse health outcomes. However, the strength of the association between social isolation and health remains unknown. This association may be influenced by biological factors related to increasing age, such as frailty. Hence, the overall aim of this dissertation was to examine the interrelationships between social isolation, frailty, and physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults in Québec. Methods: Data came from three waves of the FRéLE longitudinal study, a population-based study among 1643 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and over in the province of Québec in Canada. Based upon Berkman’s theory, we measured social isolation through social participation, social networks, and social support from different social ties, namely friends, nuclear, and extended family. We assessed frailty using Fried’s frailty phenotype. Health outcomes included disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive function. To achieve our overall goal, we first conducted a scoping review to map and synthesize the existing evidence on the interrelationship between social isolation, frailty, and health outcomes and their possible moderators and mediators. Second, we performed a series of multivariate regression models to examine whether frailty cross-sectionally moderated the relationships between social isolation and health outcomes. Third, we performed a series of latent growth models to examine the moderating role of changes in frailty on the associations between changes in social relationships and health outcomes. Results: The results of the scoping review revealed that frailty was strongly linked to poor health outcomes; however, few studies found an association between social isolation and health outcomes. In addition, social support had a more significant association with health outcomes than with social networks and social participation (Study 1- Chapter 4). In accordance with the results of the scoping review, the cross-sectional analysis demonstrated that social isolation, particularly social support, is linked to mental and cognitive health rather than physical health among older adults. The moderation analysis demonstrated that frail older adults who received social support from friends, participated in social activities, and had friends and siblings were in better mental and cognitive health than robust peers (Study 2 - Chapter 5). The longitudinal moderation analysis revealed that changes in frailty moderated the association between changes in social participation, support from friends, nuclear, and extended family members, and social contacts with friends were associated with greater changes in cognitive and mental health among older adults (Study 3 - Chapter 6). Conclusion: This longitudinal study suggests that social support and the quality of the relationship have a compensatory role in improving mental health among frail older adults at baseline and over time. The findings further elucidate the pivotal role of friendships and social participation in enhancing health status among older adults in two years.

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Title: Social exclusion amongst students with visual impairments at UKZN Howard College and Edgewood Campuses. This research used a qualitative study exploring thick descriptions, inside voices and perspectives of “otherization”, powerlessness and voiceless-ness resulting from social exclusionary processes perpetuated by social and university structures and poverty. Convenience sampling was used. Semi structured individual interviews and focus group discussions were used to explore the key research questions focusing on social and university challenges experienced by students with visual impairments at UKZN in their social and university environments. The data was interpreted through The Anti Oppressive Approach (Dominelli, 2002) which gave support to understanding how continuing to ignore marginalized persons with visual impairments out of mainstream systems of development, perpetuated “othering”, powerlessness and voiceless-ness. This study provided evidence of the multi dimensional and multi structural nature of the social exclusionary process with key focus on abuse of power by dominant groups (sighted persons), violation of human rights and visual impairment as confinement as experienced by students with visual impairments either in their social or university environments or both. In addition, this theory looked at the manner in which dominant or superior groups arrange resources around them to benefit them and exclude persons with disabilities. This research also gave a voice to women with visual impairments being oppressed by sighted women as well as poverty as a social exclusionary process. Keywords: Anti Oppressive Theory, Visual Impairments, Social Exclusion / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The diploma thesis named "How is the parents' life on parental leave in the Czech republic?" identifies and analyzes the conditions of Czech parents, who are taking the leave to take care of their children, i.e. the parental leave, and the coherent allowance. Their situation is reviewed from three angles. From the economical point of view, the thesis identifies worsened financial situation of parents on parental leave, compensated only with the parental allowance. The comparison of the leave and the allowance in various European countries indicates different configurations due to their sociocultural context and historical background. In the research in childcare services is pointed out that the offer is insufficient and that the parents, who use them temporarily, are at disadvantage. In the other hand, the diploma thesis introduces new and more suitable services being provided. In the prevention of social isolation of parents with small children, numerous services provided by non-governmental organizations (in contrast with the governmental and commercial sectors) are described, considering also the disproportional geographical configuration of these subjects. The stakeholder analysis refers about interest, influence and attitude of people, communities and organizations involved. The conclusion of...

Background: In 2019 a new virus by the name Sars-coronavirus-2 that caused a disease named Covid-19 and spread globally creating a pandemic. Due to the pandemic, restrictions were created that limited people's everyday life. There were many variations of the restrictions between countries, but they were all based on distancing. The nursing theorist Katie Eriksson describes the suffering in life and everything it means to be a human among humans which makes the pandemic a part of the humans suffering.  Nurses have many ethic codes and core competencies to apply in their work to prevent suffering. Aim: To illustrate the impact of social isolation on the elderly's health during the covid-19 pandemic from a nursing perspective Method: A systematic literature study including 13 scientifically articles that related to the aim. Result: Three themes and five subthemes were identified. These indicate a reduced health among older people, mostly regarding loneliness, worrying, anxiety but also subjective age, ageism and resources and the use of resources among the elderly in order to handle the situation. Conclusion: The health among the elderly have decreased due to the social isolation which, according to Katie Eriksson is part of the human suffering in life. Nurses have, with support from their core competencies and ethics codes a big responsibility to reduce the suffering and encourage health during the pandemic / Bakgrund: År 2019 upptäcktes de nya viruset Sars-coronavirus-2 som gav upphov till sjukdomen Covid-19 vilket fick global spridning och utvecklades till en pandemi. Till följd av pandemin skapades ett flertal restriktioner som begränsat människor i sin vardag. Det fanns stora variationer mellan olika länders restriktioner men de hade distansering som gemensam nämnare. Omvårdnadsteorietikern Katie Eriksson beskriver att livslidande är allt det innebär att vara människa bland människor, vilket gör pandemin till en del av människans livslidande. Sjuksköterskorna har flera etiska koder och kärnkompetenser att förhålla sig till i arbetet mot att lindra lidandet för människor.  Syfte: Att belysa den sociala isoleringens inverkan på äldre människors hälsa under covid-19 pandemin ur ett omvårdnadsperspektiv. Metod: Systematisk litteraturstudie som inkluderade 13 vetenskapliga artiklar som svarade på syftet. Resultat: Tre teman och fem underteman identifierades. Dessa påvisar en ökad ohälsa bland äldre människor, främst i form av ökad ensamhet, oro och ångest men även problem som berör subjektiv ålder, åldersdiskriminering samt vilka resurser äldre människorna har och hur de använt dessa för att hantera sin situation. Konklusion: Det finns en ökad ohälsa bland de äldre människorna till följd av den sociala isoleringen vilket enligt Katie Eriksson är en del av människans livslidande. Sjuksköterskan har med stöd i sina kärnkompetenser och etiska koder ett stort ansvar för att lindra lidandet och främja hälsan under pandemin.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Loneliness is a known risk factor for poor mental and physical health outcomes in the general population, and preliminary research suggests that loneliness is linked to poorer health in cancer patients as well. Various aspects of the cancer experience (e.g., heightened existential concerns) lend themselves to making patients feel alone and misunderstood. Furthermore, loneliness theory suggests that negative social expectations, which may specifically relate to the cancer experience, precipitate and sustain loneliness. Thus, loneliness interventions in cancer should be tailored to address illness-related social conditions and negative social expectations. Prior to the development of loneliness interventions for cancer populations, cancer-specific tools are needed to assess: (1) loneliness attributed to cancer (i.e., cancer-related loneliness), and (2) negative social expectations related to cancer. In the current project I developed measures of cancer-related loneliness and cancer-related negative social expectations for use in future theory-based loneliness research. A mixed-methods study design was employed. First, I developed items for the measure of cancer-related loneliness (i.e., the Cancer Loneliness Scale) based on theory, prior research, and expert feedback. Second, I conducted a clinic-based qualitative study (n=15) to: (1) obtain cancer patient feedback on the Cancer Loneliness Scale items, and (2) inform development of the item pool for the measure of negative social expectations (i.e., the Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale). Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and then transferred to Atlas.ti for analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze data regarding patient feedback and theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyze data regarding negative social expectations. Overall, patients said they liked the Cancer Loneliness Scale and no changes were made to the items based on patient feedback. Based on results, I also created five content domains of negative social expectations that were represented in the item pool for the Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale. Third, I conducted a telephone and mail-based quantitative study (n=186) to assess psychometric properties of the two new measures. Dimensionality was determined using confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed by examining internal consistency coefficients and construct validity was assessed by examining theoretical relationships between the Cancer Loneliness Scale, the Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale, and existing reliable and valid measures of health and social well-being. The final products of the project included a 7-item unidimensional Cancer Loneliness Scale and 5-item unidimensional Cancer-related Negative Social Expectations Scale. Excellent evidence for reliability and validity was found for both measures. The resulting measures have both clinical and research utility.

This master’s thesis explores the role of the urban lifestyle closely linked to the modern urban environment, but the digital era has brought significant changes. The online world has changed the meaning of physical urban space and led to a decline in the quality of life. To address this issue, this report uses a multidisciplinary approach that draws on urban planning and sociology to verify a framework that illustrates how the primary determinant of urban space vitality has shifted from function and aesthetics to socio-spatial interaction. This interaction refers to social needs and people's engagement in a particular space.  The report presents different spatial and social synergy aspects and proposes a qualitative paradigm based on this concept. Furthermore, the model is tested through an empirical study at Fristadstorget, a town center in Eskilstuna, Sweden.   The guideline’s principal framework is expected to provide insights into the revitalization of urban public space and previous evaluations of the corresponding designs, providing a theoretical framework that will benefit planners and decision-makers in future projects.

Avoiding your neighbor is common among Swedes in urban stairwells, leading to a lack of daily interactions and thereby social isolation. Feeling unseen in your own home makes 7 out of 10 people desire better relationships with their neighbors. The concept of "Weak Ties," which refers to recurring superficial relations, is essential for strengthening social capital and a sense of belonging. Prioritizing shared spaces in apartment block designs can transform avoidance into greetings, nurturing social health rather than loneliness. An existing neighborhood in Umeå is used as a case study. Current common indoor spaces are cramped, dark, and unwelcoming. Developing new thresholds, indoor intermediate spaces that are scattered across all levels, encourage movement and interaction without feeling intrusive. Key spaces includes a shared hallway, a stairwell, and a wintergarden. The shared hallway fosters interactions amongst your closest neighbors, while the redesigned stairwell integrates seamlessly from private to common, making the shift more convenient by encapsulating the people within it, customized for the cold climate of Umeå. The wintergarden, positioned above the garbage house, offers a social extension of your livingroom, for gatherings and gardening. Through this system of interventions focused on reconfiguring common spaces and encouraging interpersonal encounters, the proposal seeks to disrupt the regular spatial demarcations and enhance social connections among residents; Uncovering Weak Ties. By reimagining the role of architectural design in promoting social cohesion, the project underscores the potential for creating more vibrant and supportive urban neighborhoods in forthcoming developments. / Att undvika sina grannar är vanligt bland svenskar i stadsmiljöer, vilket leder till brist på dagliga interaktioner och därmed social isolering. Att känna sig osedd i sitt eget hem gör att 7 av 10 personer önskar bättre relationer med sina grannar. Konceptet "svaga band", som syftar på återkommande ytliga relationer, är avgörande för att stärka socialt kapital och en känsla av tillhörighet. Att prioritera gemensamma utrymmen i utformningen av lägenheter kan omvandla undvikande till hälsningar och vårda vår sociala hälsa istället för ensamhet. Ett befintligt bostadsområde i Umeå används som en fallstudie. Nuvarande gemensamma inomhusutrymmen är trånga, mörka och oinbjudande. Genom att utveckla nya trösklar, mellanrum spridda över alla nivåer, uppmuntras rörelse och interaktion utan att kännas påträngande. Nyckelutrymmen inkluderar en gemensam hall, ett trapphus och ett vinterträdgård. Den gemensamma hallen främjar interaktioner med dina närmaste grannar, medan det omdesignade trapphuset integreras sömlöst från privat till gemensamt, vilket gör övergången mer bekväm genom att omsluta människorna inom det, anpassat för Umeås kalla klimat. Vinterträdgården, placerad ovanför sophuset, erbjuder en social förlängning av ditt vardagsrum, för sammankomster och trädgårdsarbete. Genom detta system av interventioner som fokuserar på att omkonfigurera gemensamma utrymmen och uppmuntra möten, syftar förslaget till att bryta de vanliga rumsliga gränsdragningarna och stärka sociala kopplingar mellan invånarna; att synliggöra svaga band. Genom att omforma den arkitektoniska designens roll i att främja social sammanhållning, understryker projektet potentialen för att skapa mer livfulla och stödjande grannskap i stadskvarter i framtida utvecklingar.