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Changes in Levels of Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older People in a Rural Area: A Twenty–Year Longitudinal Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2010

G. Clare Wenger  and
Vanessa Burholt
G. Clare Wenger*
Affiliation:
Centre for Social Policy Research & Development Institute of Medical and Social Care Research, University of Wales
Vanessa Burholt
Affiliation:
Centre for Social Policy Research & Development Institute of Medical and Social Care Research, University of Wales
*
Requests for offprints should be sent to: / Les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à : G. Clare Wenger, Centre for Social Policy Research & Development, Institute of Medical and Social Care Research, University of Wales, Bangor, U.K. ([email protected])
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Abstract

The Bangor Longitudinal Study of Ageing (BLSA), conducted in rural Wales from 1979 to 1999, followed a cohort of survivors from more than 500 people over 20 years. Using both quantitative and qualitative data from the study, the factors associated with increases and decreases in loneliness and social isolation were identified. The study was based on a population sample and survivors were followed up every 4 years. From 1983 to 1987, 30 people aged 75 and over in 1979 were studied intensively. The customary measure of loneliness was used, as well as an aggregate measure devised by the research team. Social isolation was similarly measured, using an aggregate measure. Respondents were assessed as demonstrating low, moderate, or high levels of loneliness or isolation. Subsequently, statistical models of loneliness and social isolation were developed. Some respondents were assessed as not experiencing social isolation or loneliness during the study. Others showed changes in levels. In this article, the data are explored, seeking factors associated with changes in social isolation and loneliness. Outcome measures of these two variables of interest are compared with items from the aggregate measures and other identifiable intervening variables. The article discusses which change variables contribute most to levels of isolation and loneliness and result in different combinations of these two outcomes. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Résumé

Dans l'étude longitudinale Bangor Longitudinal Study of Ageing (BLSA), menée au pays de Galles en région rurale de1979 à 1999, on a suivi une cohorte de plus de 500 survivants sur une période de 20 ans. Les données quantitatives etqualitatives tirées de l'étude ont permis d'isoler les facteurs qui intensifient ou atténuent la solitude et l'isolementsocial. L'étude portait sur une population échantillon, un suivi étant effectué tous les 4 ans. De 1983 à 1987, l'étude s'estconcentrée sur 30 personnes qui avaient 75 ans et plus en 1979. Pour mesurer la solitude, l'équipe de chercheurs a utilisél'échelle habituelle, ainsi qu'une mesure globale spécialement mise au point pour la circonstance. L'isolement sociala été mesuré de la même façon en utilisant la mesure globale. Les répondants ont été évalués en fonction de troisdegrés de solitude ou d'isolement : faible, moyen et élevé, et des modèles statistiques de la solitude et de l'isolementsocial ont ensuite été développés. Durant l'étude, on a noté que certains répondants ne présentaient aucun signed'isolement social ni de solitude, tandis que chez d'autres le degré variait. Dans ce mémoire, on a étudié les donnéesrecueillies pour identifier les facteurs qui influent sur le degré d'isolement social et de solitude. On a comparé lesmesures tirées de ces deux variables à certains items des mesures globales et d'autres variables identifiables ayant unrôle. Le mémoire examine les variables de changement qui influent le plus sur le degré d'isolement et de solitude etproduisent des combinaisons différentes. On y discute aussi des retombées sur le plan des politiques et de la pratique.

Keywords

aginglonelinesssocial isolationlongitudinal studyinterventioncase historyruralvieillissementsolitudeisolement socialétude longitudinaleinterventionantécédentsmilieu rural
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 23 , Special Issue/Numéro special 2: Social Isolation and Loneliness/Isolement social et solitude , Summer/Été 2004 , pp. 115 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2004

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