This study on the recognition of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy developed a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Specific loneliness behaviours and suggested loneliness interventions to be implemented during psychotherapy were identified in the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The review of the literature supported the need for research on conceptualizing loneliness to facilitate psychotherapy with lonely clients. A quasi-experimental design was employed in the study. The Schmidt-Sermat Loneliness Scale was utilized to identify clients who tested high in loneliness. In Part I of the study, the control group, thirteen mental health clients who tested high in loneliness were involved in psychotherapy with one of four therapists. 1 Upon completion of six psychotherapy sessions, the clients were again tested for loneliness. An Inservice Education on loneliness and an explanation of the implementing of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention during psychotherapy, as developed by the investigator, was given. Specific loneliness behaviours and possible loneliness interventions were inherent in the model. A new group of eleven clients who tested high in loneliness were identified to the same four therapists who participated in Part I of the study. These clients formed the comparison group for Part II of the study. Loneliness consultation was provided on a weekly basis by the investigator to facilitate therapist implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention. Clients were again tested for loneliness after six therapy sessions. At the end of Part I and Part II, therapists rated their perception of progress in psychotherapy and satisfaction in attempting loneliness intervention. Open end-interviews on the implementation of the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was also conducted. Analysis of the findings of the study resulted in Hypotheses I, II, and III being upheld. Psychotherapy was more effective in reducing loneliness when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. Therapists who utilized loneliness intervention with clients who tested high in loneliness found the psychotherapy sessions more satisfying. Therapist perception of client progress in psychotherapy increased when the conceptual model for loneliness intervention was implemented. The findings of the study were strongly significant and indicated the usefulness of a conceptual model for loneliness intervention. The primary recommendation of the study was that loneliness psychotherapy be conducted with mental health clients who are lonely. The presentation of loneliness as a basis for psychotherapy requires that the concept of loneliness be theoretically and conceptually defined. Basically, the study recommended that there be further exploration of the concept of loneliness in the field of mental health. For further research, it was suggested that this research be conducted in a hospital setting on a psychiatric ward where on-going therapy is conducted on a daily basis. This would allow for the facilities at the hospital to be readily integrated with the loneliness interventions which would involve therapists to directly observe and participate in the loneliness interventions, in a role-model situation, if appropriate. Individuals have always experienced loneliness, many have suffered from this feeling. It is the inherent goal of health professionals to promote mental health. By setting a sound base for loneliness in psychotherapy, mental health care may be improved. This can also be achieved by therapists, educators, and researchers furthering the knowledge and conceptualization of loneliness to form a strong theoretical base for this concept. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

No description available.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation (SI) has been seen as an emerging socioeconomic factor that negatively affects health. A considerable body of research has found that SI is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, the magnitude of the association varies in different studies. Besides that, these studies were conducted mainly in high-income countries. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect size of SI on mortality. Also, we examined the associated mortality risk using data from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study of over 140,000 middle-aged adults from 21 countries with different income levels. RESULTS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled hazard ratio of SI for all-cause mortality was 1.37 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.46). The PURE study showed that the hazard ratio of SI for all-cause mortality was 1.26 (95% CI 1.16-1.36). Similar associations of SI with cardiovascular- and non-cardiovascular mortality as well as with incident diseases including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and injury were observed. The associations between SI and health outcomes were observed in diverse populations with different social structures and different country income levels. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The impact of SI on mortality would be expected to be greater in the future as the number of people with SI is projected to increase with population ageing in most societies. Our findings can be used by public health providers and policy makers to develop targeted strategies to reduce the risks associated with SI. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc) / Social isolation (SI) is an emerging socioeconomic factor that could negatively affect health. Prior studies regarding SI were conducted mainly in high income countries. This thesis examines the effect of SI on mortality. This was done first in a systematic review and meta-analysis and, second, by examining the association between SI and health in an international large-scale cohort study (PURE: Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology) conducted in 21 countries at different country income levels. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that SI was associated with 37% increased risk for mortality. The PURE study showed that the association of SI with mortality was seen in diverse populations with different social structures. The impact of SI on mortality would be expected to increase in the future as the number of people with SI is projected to increase with population ageing. This calls for measures to reduce mortality and morbidity in the socially isolated.

published_or_final_version / Community Medicine / Master / Master of Public Health

As the ageing population continues to grow, health and social care services face increasing demands. Technology based interventions such as telecare offer a potential solution to meet this increase in a cost effective manner. However, there is a concern that such technologies may lead to increased social isolation. Traditional approaches towards resolving social isolation typically involve the provision of activities designed to provide social interaction. In this thesis, we investigate a novel persuasion based approach to address social isolation. To this end, we conducted a modelling study to discover effective persuasive strategies for encouraging social interaction and how to apply them. From the results of this study, we identified, defined and categorised effective persuasive strategies, grounded in theories of persuasion and behavioural change and developed a strategy selection heuristic for applying them. We investigated the perceived effectiveness of both the strategies and strategy selection heuristic and discovered conceptual differences between selecting the most suitable strategy for older adults and a wider audience. Finally, we investigated the actual effectiveness of the strategies with an observational study involving formal carers and older adults. Our results can be combined to create a persuasive virtual agent aimed to tackling social isolation amongst older adults.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-69).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1966. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Psychology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

This investigation was concerned with the relationship between loneliness and disability in individuals with back and spinal cord injury. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: (1) Do disabled individuals report a greater degree of loneliness than an able-bodied control group? (2) Does loneliness relate to the level of expressed need for inclusion and affection? (3) Does locus of control relate to the degree of loneliness reported by individuals with disability? (4) Does the employment status or living arrangement of disabled individuals relate to the degree of reported loneliness? (5) Does the short form of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale provide a reliable estimate of the full-scale form in the measurement of loneliness in disabled individuals? The population for this study consisted of thirty spinal-injured paraplegics, thirty back-injured patients, and fifty able-bodied control subjects. The criterion instruments employed in this study were the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior, and the Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. Survey packets were mailed to the spinal-injury and back-injury subjects. Able-bodied controls were administered the same packet in a group-classroom setting. The data was analyzed by Pearson Product-Moment correlation, point bi-serial correlation, One Way Analysis of Variance, and Student t-test. The significance level for this investigation was set at .05. Based on the results of the statistical analyses, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) Paraplegics did not significantly differ from back-injured patients, or an able-bodied control group, on the measure of Loneliness. (2) A significant correlation (negative) was found between loneliness and the expressed need for inclusion and affection in the spinal-injured group. (3) A significant relationships between loneliness and employment status or living arrangement was not found. (4) Spinal-injured paraplegics rated as externals on the locus of control measure were significantly higher than those subjects rated as having an internal locus of control on the measure of loneliness. (5) The short-form of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale was significantly, (positively), correlated with the full-form in all subject groups.