Social isolation har på senare år ökat i Europa samtidigt som tilliten till statliga institutioner har sjunkit. Denna studie ämnar att undersöka om det finns ett samband mellan dessa två fenomen samt huruvida ett sådant potentiellt samband skiljer sig åt mellan tre olika välfärdsregimer. Fem europeiska länder ligger till grund för analyserna i detta arbete. Dessa länder är Sverige, Danmark, Tyskland, Frankrike samt Storbritannien vilka kategoriseras inom olika välfärdsstatsregimer beroende på hur den statliga välfärden är organiserad. Välfärdsregimerna utgörs av den konservativa, den liberala samt den socialdemokratiska välfärdsstatsregimen, vilka alla skiljer sig åt vad gäller välfärdens organisation och bredd. Det undersöks även om det finns skillnader i social isolation samt institutionell tillit dessa välfärdsregimer emellan. Detta undersöks med hjälp av det teoretiska ramverket som utgörs av Robert Putnams teori om socialt kapital samt Gösta Esping-Andersens teori om välfärdsstatsregimer. Utifrån dessa teorier, tidigare forskning och de resultat vilka presenteras i arbetets analysdel diskuteras välfärdens roll i att skapa skyddsnät för individer och så ge denne förutsättningar att inte hamna i social isolation. Studiens slutsatser är att social isolation har en påverkan på institutionell tillit men att den socialdemokratiska regimsfären verkar besitta karaktärsdrag vilket trubbar denna effekt.

Loneliness and social isolation can have a serious impact on one’s mental health, leading to increased stress, lower self-esteem, panic attacks, and drug or alcohol addictions. Older adults and international students are disproportionately affected by loneliness. This thesis investigates Socialoscope, a smartphone app that passively detects loneliness in smartphone users based on the user’s day-to-day social interactions, communication and smartphone activity sensed by the smartphone’s built-in sensors. Statistical analysis is used to determine smartphone features most correlated with loneliness. A previously established relationship between loneliness and personality type is explored. The most correlated features are used to synthesize machine learning classifiers that infer loneliness levels from smartphone sensor features with an accuracy of 90%. These classifiers can be used to make the Socialoscope an intelligent loneliness sensing Android app. The results show that, of the five Big-Five Personality Traits, emotional stability and extraversion personality traits are strongly correlated with the sensor features such as number of messages, number of outgoing calls, number of late night browser searches, number of long incoming or outgoing calls and number of auto-joined trusted Wi-Fi SSIDs. Moreover, the classifier accuracy while classifying loneliness levels is significantly improved to 98% by taking these personality traits into consideration. Socialoscope can be integrated into the healthcare system as an early warning indicator of patients requiring intervention or utilized for personal self-reflection.

Background: Good social connections have been identified as a factor that may be associated with healthy cognitive function in later life. In line with cognitive reserve theory, good social connections may provide mental stimulation through complex interaction with others and hence build cognitive reserve and maintain healthy cognitive function. However, there is considerable inconsistency in findings reported by studies that examine this association. Inconsistency in findings may be attributed to the heterogeneity of concepts potentially associated with social connections and to the variation in approaches to measuring and defining these concepts. Aims: To assess the association between aspects of social connections and cognitive function in later life. This thesis introduces a novel element by considering the moderating role of cognitive reserve in this association. Method: A scoping review was conducted to establish which concepts are used within the literature to describe social connections and how these are measured and defined. Next, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify evidence regarding the association between social isolation and cognitive function in published studies. Empirical work was conducted using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study-Wales (CFAS-Wales) to determine the associations between social isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognitive function in healthy older people. Extending this approach further, these associations were examined in two groups potentially at risk of social isolation: older people with depression or anxiety and older people living alone. Finally, empirical work was completed using the Platform for Research Online to investigate Genetics and Cognition in Ageing (PROTECT) to assess how satisfaction with social contact may be associated with cognitive function compared to a structural measure of isolation. Results: A lack of social connections was associated with poor cognitive function in later life. For people with depression or anxiety, these associations may be better explained by mood-related symptoms than social connections. People who live alone in later life were at no greater risk of poor cognitive function compared to those living with others. Satisfaction with social contact was associated with poor cognitive function but a structural measure of social isolation was not. Conclusions: Social connections play an important role in building cognitive reserve and protecting people against poor cognitive function in later life. People who are vulnerable to social isolation have different needs to those who are less vulnerable. Satisfaction with social contact is often neglected in measures that assess structural aspects of social connections but may be a better predictor of cognitive function.

這項研究利用多角度方法，去探索簡短靜觀訓練對因被排斥而導致的心理困擾有否影響;更會將靜觀訓練與自律鬆弛法和控制組作比較。本實驗的參加者包括了161名香港中文大學的本科生和研究生。並用了Cyberball遊戲去模擬社會排斥。所有參加者被隨機分成三組: 1) 靜觀、 2) 自律鬆弛、 3) 控制組。我根據他們的生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導、心率), 混合動機任務，隱含測試(i.e. lexical decision task)，和自我評估去度量情緒困擾、互動模式、對自己和他人的態度、和在靜觀能力及態度的改變。 本實驗採用了生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導, 心率), 混合動機任務、隱含測試、和自我報告去評估幾方面的反應:情緒困擾、 與別人互動樣式、對自己和他人的態度、和靜觀能力的改變。結果顯示，靜觀組 的自尊心和存在意義感相比其他兩組高; 然而，靜觀組和自律鬆弛組之間沒有顯著差異。在靜觀的改變上，我們使用兩套問卷: （一）Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ), （二）Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) 。結果顯示，靜觀組在 SOFI Positive-Self 方面有明顯的提升; 而在SOFI Positive-Other能維持不變，相反其他兩組就有顯著的下降。可是，SMQ 和 SOFI問卷的其餘部分 (例如：SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI-Negative-Other)，沒有發現顯著的組間差異。除了採用兩份靜觀問卷外，我也使用了Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) 來測量慈心品性對結果的影響。結果顯示，性格較為靜觀及慈心的人, 沒有那麽容易受排斥而引至有不良影響。有趣的是，不同層次的靜觀性格和自我慈悲能有不同的訓練受益。例如，慈心的人在靜觀後會更為慷慨。然而，對於那些SOFI Negative-Other 低分的人，在靜觀後會減少對別人指責的傾向。可是，其他結果 (例如: 混合動機任務、隱含測試 ) ，卻找不到跨組的差異。在生理反應測量方面，結果便與預期不太一致: 靜觀組和自律鬆弛組的皮膚電導，在post-Cyberball 期間甚至比控制組為高; 而其他時段則找不到跨組間差異。在這篇文章的總結中，我也提到這個實驗之不足之處以及可以改善的方法。總括而言，雖然實驗結果所發現的成效不是太明顯，但我們不能忽視靜觀簡化版本的實用價值。尤其是對那些被邊緣化的人來說，簡化版本能使他們更容易參與訓練並從中受益。在文章的末尾，我會提及更具體的意義和建議，希望能對今後的研究有所影響。 / This study utilized the experimental multimodal approach to explore the effectiveness of brief mindfulness training in reducing the psychological distress induced by ostracism, comparing with brief relaxation training and no intervention control. Participants included 161 undergraduate and graduate students from CUHK. Cyberball game paradigm was used to simulate social exclusion. All participants were randomized into 3 groups: 1) meditation, 2) relaxation, 3) no intervention control. Physiological measures (i.e., skin conductance, heart rate), mixed-motive task, and implicit test (i.e. lexical decision task), and self-reports were used to assess emotional distress, interactions styles, attitudes toward self and others, and change in mindfulness. Results indicated that meditation group expressed higher level of self-esteem and sense of meaningful existence despite of social rejection in comparison with no intervention control. However, there was no significant difference between meditation and relaxation group. In terms of the mindfulness qualities as measured by Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ) and Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI), meditation group reported greater enhancement in SOFI Positive-Self, while other two groups remain statistically unchanged. For SOFI Positive-Other, only meditation group remained as positive as before while other two groups dropped. However, the result from other mindfulness measurement (i.e. SMQ) and dimensions (i.e. SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI Negative-Other) revealed no significant group difference. In addition to the two mindfulness scales, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) was also used to capture the baseline self-compassion disposition. Correlational result showed that, being more mindful and self-compassionate was in general associated with feeling less threatened by the exclusion task. Interestingly, people of various levels of mindfulness and self-compassion could benefit from mindfulness training differently. For example, participants who were more self-compassionate would display more generous behavior only if they were in meditation group. However, for those who scored low on baseline SOFI Negative-Other, meditation reduced their tendency to blame others. Contrary to expectation, no statistically significant difference was found across conditions in implicit self-other attitudes and interaction styles. For physiological arousal, no significant cross group difference was identified with the exception of during the post-Cyberball period, in which skin conductance was significantly higher for meditation and relaxation groups relative to no-intervention control. . Limitations in the Cyberball manipulation and intervention implementation were noted, which may impact the study findings. In sum, despite the small effect observed in the mindfulness training condition, the practical value of an abbreviated mindfulness format cannot be ignored, particularly for the socially ostracized population whom may not have the luxury to experience the full-scale mindfulness training. More specific implications and suggestions for future research were discussed. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Chan, Tsz Ying Amy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-79). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendix A includes Chinese. / Abstract --- p.iv / Introduction --- p.1 / Stigmatization and Ostracism --- p.1 / Ways to Combat Stigma --- p.2 / Existing Efforts --- p.2 / Mindfulness Mechanism in Reducing the Negative Impacts of Being Socially Excluded --- p.3 / What is Mindfulness? --- p.3 / Suggested Mechanism on How Mindfulness Deals with Ostracism --- p.7 / Mindfulness Based Approach --- p.9 / Evidence of Mindfulness on Stigma Reduction --- p.10 / Constraint Of Current Mindfulness Intervention --- p.11 / Objectives of This Study --- p.13 / Main Hypothesis --- p.13 / Hypothesis 1 --- p.14 / Hypothesis 2 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 3 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 4 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 5 --- p.16 / Method --- p.17 / Pilot --- p.17 / Participants --- p.17 / Measures --- p.17 / Screening Measure --- p.17 / Baseline Measure --- p.18 / Procedure --- p.22 / Result --- p.28 / Hypothesis 1.1: Meditation Group Has the Lowest Physiological Arousal (i.e. HR, SC) Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups during and after Cyberball Game --- p.29 / Hypothesis 1.2: Meditation Group was Least Threatened by the Social Exclusion Effect of the Cyberball Game, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.31 / Hypothesis 1.3: Meditation Group had the Most Positive Attitude and Least Negative Attitude toward Self and Other, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.32 / Hypothesis 2: Meditation Group was the Most Mindful, Measured by SMQ and SOFI, Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups. --- p.33 / Hypothesis 3 Meditation Group has the Most Positive Communication Style (3.1) and Give the Largest Amount of Points to Opponents (3.2), Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups --- p.36 / Hypothesis 4: Mindfulness Trait’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.36 / Correlational Analysis --- p.36 / Group X Baseline Mindfulness Interaction Effect --- p.39 / Hypothesis 5: Trait Self-Compassion’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.41 / Discussion 43 / Was the Brief Mindfulness Training Successful in Reducing the Negative Effect of Ostracism? --- p.43 / Decrease in Physiological Arousal --- p.43 / Stronger Resilience toward Ostracism? --- p.44 / Does Mindfulness Increase Selfless Behavior? --- p.45 / Implicit Attitudes toward Self and Others --- p.46 / Was Brief Mindfulness Session Successful in Improving Mindfulness? --- p.47 / How Does the Mindfulness and Self-Compassionate Predisposition Affect One’s Receptivity toward Brief Mindfulness Training? --- p.48 / Limitations --- p.50 / Implications and Conclusion --- p.52 / APPENDIX A --- p.57 / Instruction for meditation group --- p.57 / Instruction for relaxation group --- p.60 / APPENDIX B --- p.64 / DASS 21 --- p.64 / APPENDIX C --- p.65 / Self-Compassion Scale (26 Items) --- p.65 / APPENDIX D --- p.66 / Southampton mindfulness questionnaire (SMQ) 16 item --- p.66 / APPENDIX E --- p.67 / Self-Other Four Immeasurable (SOFI) --- p.67 / APPENDIX F --- p.68 / Assessment of manipulations, need satisfaction, and mood following ostracism (31 items) --- p.68 / APPENDIX G --- p.70 / Communication Checklist-Key --- p.70 / REFERENCES --- p.72

彭華民. / 呈交日期: 2005年11月. / 論文(哲學博士)--香港中文大學, 2006. / 參考文獻(p. 246-261). / Cheng jiao ri qi: 2005 nian 11 yue. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Lun wen (zhe xue bo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2006. / Can kao wen xian (p. 246-261). / Peng Huamin.

This review began with an interest in treatment of child abuse and in how a study of social isolation might lend direction to treatment of abusing families. The literature leads one to believe that social isolation is somehow involved, but that the process is far from clear. The intent of this review is to synthesize the findings available on the relationship between social isolation and child abuse, to encourage further thought on how the concept of social isolation can be refined and operationalized, and to discuss the implications of that relationship for treatment and prevention of physical abuse. The information gained might assist those responsible for community programs to understand the role of social resources in the prevention of child abuse.

No description available.

The thesis set out to explore means of coping with change when in a state of isolation and basic parameters and references in life have been lost. Isolation may be a result of a change in environment, such as an interstate move to take up a new job,or changing from an office environment to home based work. It can result from relational changes such as marriage breakdown or from major life stage changes such as retirement. The first stage of the study involved the establishment of a collaborative group to explore issues that each member had experienced in coping with change. The second stage was an individual exploration of the author's own journey involving changes in work environments and interstate moves. The third stage was a consideration of literature that reflected and supported the thesis, of gathering information from relevant case studies conducted.Out of these stages came the hypothesis that people cope with change in isolation through a sense of belonging associated with several factors.Reflections on the research process and methodologies have been considered and implications arising out of the research are discussed. The thesis concludes with evocations of the impact of the research findings on others. / Master of Science (Hons)(Social Ecology)

Accessibility is a key tenet of the Canadian health care system. As many older persons, age 60 years and older, are managing ongoing chronic health conditions as part of their everyday lives, issues of access to health services are particularly important. Vancouver has a substantial number of older Korean immigrants, yet little is known about their experience and perceptions about accessing Primary Health Care (PHC) services. This study explored issues related to PHC access by older (aged 60 years and older) Korean immigrants. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling and interpretive description methodology. Open-ended interview data and field notes were gathered from 10 older Korean immigrants (five male and five female) recruited in Vancouver from mid-October 2006 to April 2007. The findings revealed that older Korean immigrants have had difficulty gaining access to appropriate PHC services because of the shifts in their social positioning and other barriers which contributed to an inappropriate use of PHC services, delays in care and lack of continuity in PHC. Also, the data revealed a number of ways the PHC system is unresponsive to the health care needs of older Korean immigrants. This study offers insights that may assist health care professionals to understand the nature of the challenges older Korean immigrants face when seeking health care and how they seek to resolve them. The analysis proposes a number of interventions that respect the older Korean immigrants’ values and interventions that may improve their access to PHC.

No description available.