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Ample evidence underscores the deleterious effects of loneliness on health and mortality. Therefore, it is important that loneliness risks are identified across all ages and appropriate measures are devised to address those risks. Although almost a third of the US older adult population lives alone, there is limited research on the social connectedness (or its lack thereof) in this subset of older adults. This dissertation specifically focused on understanding loneliness (its extent, variance, and sources of variance) in older adults who live alone and do not use the Internet. The results indicate that the loneliness reported in this subset of older adults is greater than that found in general older adult samples. Social isolation (measured by social network variables) and emotional well-being emerged as significant predictors of loneliness in this group. Demographics, personality, and technology experience did not predict variance in loneliness beyond that predicted by social isolation and emotional well-being. To understand if Internet adoption can provide greater opportunities for connectedness, a qualitative study was also conducted. This study focused on the subjective experiences of living alone, relationships with friends, family, and groups in the context of living alone, and the role of technology in supporting connectedness needs. Loneliness was the most commonly reported challenge associated with living alone and was often described in terms of lack of companionship or someone to share one’s feelings with. The older adult Internet users perceived usefulness of Internet-based social media as a compensatory tool for communication, but valued in-person interactions more. Together these studies provided insights into the social connectedness of older adults who live alone. The findings advanced the understanding of the complexities of living alone in older age and helped identify directions to best address social connectedness needs while also supporting older adults’ desire to continue to age in the living arrangement of their choice. Finally, the gaps in research on older adults’ use of social media and its potential to support connectedness for an aging population were also addressed.

Decisions made during the transitional age of 18-30, may influence the health and well being of individuals for many years to come. Perhaps more than any earlier life stages, emerging adults have the potential to explore new opportunities, develop their own autonomy, and play a more conscious role in shaping their own development, while overcoming difficulties that may have contributed to their vulnerability in an earlier period of life or the present. To date, few studies have focused on the positive or health promoting, psychosocial factors that contribute to future orientation, particularly among emerging adults. Guided by the Theory of Possible Selves and Social Capital Theory, this quantitative study explored the contribution of perceived discrimination, hope, and social connectedness to future orientation, using a web-based survey. The present study found that perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and social connectedness were significantly and hope was marginally related to the future orientation of 151 emerging adults who were current or former members of the AmeriCorps program in the state of New Mexico. The findings remained significant after controlling for race/ethnicity. Social connectedness served as a resource factor in its association between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and the outcome of future orientation. Social connectedness also served a protective function, thereby moderating the association between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and future orientation. Findings suggest that further examination of the potential buffering effects that may offset the negative effects of a risk, such as perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, is warranted. Attention should be given to other potential moderating and/or mediating effects in the relationship between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and future orientation in subsequent studies. Given the uniqueness of the sample in this study, future researchers should continue to examine populations participating in programs such as AmeriCorps. Results from the current study may have important implications for the value of programs that aim to build civic engagement, social connectedness, and leadership among its members and the communities that are served. / text

In 2018, the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) connected with the University of Victoria to initiate a research project focusing on social connectedness. Social connectedness is the psychosocial process of belonging that can be developed within a community context. Feelings of social connectedness can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, lessens violence, health compromising behaviours, and the impact of stress and trauma, and is linked to high self-esteem. The aim of this mixed methods case study was to understand the social connectedness of families participating in a community therapeutic riding program. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used to investigate social connectedness at the CTRA. Three different perspectives were sought to explore social connectedness at the CTRA; guardians, children, and instructors. Participants completed the quantitative Connectedness to Treatment Setting Scale (CTSS) in Phase 1, and qualitative semi-structured interviews in Phase 2 to follow-up and expand upon findings from Phase 1. Fifteen participants (guardians (n = 12) and instructors (n = 3)) participated in Phase 1 of the study whereas five guardians (including a guardian and child dyad) and two instructors participated in Phase 2 of the study. The CTSS comprised of 10 questions assessed on a 6-point scale (from 1 = Totally disagree to 6 = Totally agree). Frequencies were computed for each question and overall mean scores (+ SD) were computed for guardians and instructors separately. The interview transcripts were coded twice. Initially, a deductive orientational approach guided by seven attributes of social connectedness was used. Then, an inductive approach was used to examine how social connectedness was experienced, fostered, or hindered at the CTRA, as well as suggestions for improvement. The CTSS scores revealed that the vast majority of guardians and instructors felt highly socially connected at the CTRA. The overall mean score of the guardians was 55.3 (SD = 4.5) and 56.7 (SD = 3.1) among the instructors. All seven attributes of social connectedness were represented in the guardians and instructors’ responses however, trust, caring, and reciprocity were the most evident attributes. Two themes emerged from the inductive analysis: effective communication equates with social connectedness and expectations of services. Guardians reported that communication as a team with their instructor, volunteer(s), and the animals positively influenced their families’ social connectedness. The results suggested that social connectedness might be mediating relationships between negative factors preceding a therapeutic riding session and the experience of that lesson. Although the instructors and majority of families were socially connected at the CTRA, guardians had high expectations of the program and wanted the CTRA to foster connections beyond their son/daughters therapeutic riding lesson by organizing opportunities for peer and family relationships. The people and animals at the CTRA contributed heavily to family’s sense of social connectedness. Most families had a desire to connect and form relationships with the people and animals at the CTRA. The CTRA provides a community context that supports the development of social connectedness. / Graduate

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the effect that a subject's level of social connectedness on their perceptions of a counselor during the intake setting. There is theoretical and empirical evidence arising both from Kohutian self-psychology as well as interpersonal psychological literature that indicates that one's level of social connectedness, race, and gender should directly affect one's perception of counselors in a therapeutic setting. This study found suggestive, but not conclusive, evidence that social connectedness is positively related to how counselors are rated on dimensions of trustworthiness, expertness, and attractiveness. Suggestive differences across race and level of training of the counselor were also found, but the differences were not statistically significant. Implications of this study and suggestions for further research are discussed. / text

An increasing number of older adults is experiencing mental health problems, which may result from loneliness and social isolation. Although research has noted the positive impact that community programs might have on the social connectedness of older adults, there is a scarcity of research exploring older male adults' experiences in these programs. Men's Sheds, developed in Australia in the 1990's, is one program that integrates older men into the community. Men's Sheds have recently begun in Manitoba, allowing me the opportunity to develop a theoretical model of the processes of involvement of older male adults in this program. I conducted in-depth interviews with Men's Sheds participants (N = 12), and analyzed data using constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006). Findings provide insight into participants’ experiences throughout their initial, current, and continued involvement in Men’s Sheds, which may serve as a model for community organizations attempting to increase participation among this demographic.

Although online social connectedness is increasing, many assumptions about online social network use still remain. For example, that offline social connectedness is superior to online social connectedness. This cross-sectional study addresses these assumptions by studying online and offline social connectedness in relation to happiness, in a sample of 293 young adults from Sweden, between the ages 18-48. Results show that both online and offline social connectedness was associated to happiness. Moreover, three groups varying on happiness did not differ on various forms of social connectedness; however, very happy individuals reported having more genuine online friends than all other groups. The implications of the study and future directions are discussed.

An increasing number of older adults is experiencing mental health problems, which may result from loneliness and social isolation. Although research has noted the positive impact that community programs might have on the social connectedness of older adults, there is a scarcity of research exploring older male adults' experiences in these programs. Men's Sheds, developed in Australia in the 1990's, is one program that integrates older men into the community. Men's Sheds have recently begun in Manitoba, allowing me the opportunity to develop a theoretical model of the processes of involvement of older male adults in this program. I conducted in-depth interviews with Men's Sheds participants (N = 12), and analyzed data using constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006). Findings provide insight into participants’ experiences throughout their initial, current, and continued involvement in Men’s Sheds, which may serve as a model for community organizations attempting to increase participation among this demographic.

xvi, 135 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Research has suggested that multiracial individuals may vary in how they racially identify depending on the context in which they operate (Renn, 2004; Root, 1998, 2003). To examine this assertion, multiracial identity and variance in multiracial identity were examined in this exploratory study of a nationally representative sample of 199 multiracial college students. Additionally, the relationship of multiracial identity variance with factors common to adult transitional development and to the college student experience, including social connectedness, various forms of facilitative support, college adjustment, and depression, were also examined in this study. Sex differences among these study variables were also explored. The results of descriptive analyses revealed that this generally connected, adjusted, and non-depressed sample consistently varied their racial identity depending on their context. Results of Pearson product-moment correlations among study variables for the whole sample demonstrated that this multiracial identity variance was not related to adjustment, social connectedness, facilitative supports, or depression. But results differed when breaking down the sample by sex. For males, increased variance in multiracial identity across contexts was related to lower perceived availability of, support from, and connectedness to student support groups. For females, increased multiracial identity variance was related to lower participation in ethnic and cultural student support groups. A series of subsequent simultaneous multiple regression analyses revealed that increased involvement in one form of facilitative support in the college environment-ethnic/cultural student support groups- actually predicted lower multiracial identity variance for the sample. Regarding connectedness, for the entire sample, higher social connectedness was related to higher college adjustment but lower participation in ethnic and cultural student support groups. Sex differences also emerged for connectedness. For males, social connectedness was directly related to availability of student groups, adjustment, and institutional attachment, and for females social connectedness was directly related to college adjustment, but inversely related to participation in ethnic/cultural groups. Findings of this study are consistent with multiracial identity theory, social connectedness theory, and with research related to college student and adult transitional development, and confirm that multiracial individuals vary their identity based on social context. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed. / Adviser: Benedict T. McWhirter

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the contributions of language anxiety, acculturation and social connectedness with American people to the counseling self-efficacy of international counseling students (ICSs) in the United States. The study used hierarchical multiple regression analysis with a sample of ICSs from counseling, counseling psychology and related programs in the U.S. (N=72). Major findings indicated that ICSs’ language anxiety was inversely associated with their counseling self-efficacy; neither ICSs’ acculturation nor social connectedness with American people had a significant relationship with counseling self-efficacy. Further, there was no significant interaction between language anxiety and social connectedness with American people; language anxiety, acculturation, social connectedness with American people, and the interaction between language anxiety and social connectedness with American people together did not account for a significantly different amount of variance in counseling self-efficacy over and above the variance accounted for by language anxiety alone. Implications, limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling 2016