Perception and negative effect of loneliness in a Chicago Chinese population of older adults
Perception and negative effect of loneliness in a Chicago Chinese population of older adults
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DOI：
10.1016/j.archger.2011.04.022
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发表时间：
2012-01-01
影响因子：
4
通讯作者：
Simon, Melissa
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dong, Xinqi;Chang, E-Shien;Simon, Melissa
这项定性研究旨在调查孤独的文化理解，确定孤独的背景，并检查其对美国的影响。尽管孤独感是幸福感的主要指标之一，但很少有人关注移民老年人的孤独感。本研究采用问卷调查法和半结构化焦点小组研究法，对美国华裔老年人的孤独感进行了调查。基于对芝加哥唐人街78名社区华裔老年人的访谈，这项基于社区的参与性研究（CBPR）表明，孤独在美国华裔老年人中很普遍。它经常通过情感孤立和社会孤立来识别。社会、心理和生理健康因素可能会影响孤独感。此外，老年人孤独的健康可能与整体健康状况恶化，老年人虐待，健康行为改变和医疗保健利用率增加有关。这项研究对医疗保健专业人员，社会服务机构和政策制定者具有重要意义。我们的研究结果指出，医疗保健专业人员需要更加警惕孤独和不良健康结果的关联。社区和社会服务机构应共同带头减少社会孤立，改善代际关系，增加这一弱势老年人群体的社交网络和友谊。(C)2011爱思唯尔爱尔兰有限公司保留所有权利。
This qualitative study aims to investigate the cultural understandings of loneliness, identify the contexts of loneliness, and to examine its effect on the health and well-being of U.S. Chinese older adults. Despite loneliness is one of the main indicators of well-being, little attention has been paid to understanding loneliness among immigrant older adults. This study utilizes both survey questionnaires and semi-structured focus group methods to investigate the feelings of loneliness among U.S. Chinese older adults. Based on interviews with 78 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in Chicago Chinatown, this community-based participatory research study (CBPR) shows loneliness is common among U.S. Chinese older adults. It was frequently identified through emotional isolation and social isolation. Social, psychological and physical health factors could contribute to the experience of loneliness. In addition, the health of older adults with loneliness may be associated with worsening overall health, elder mistreatment, health behavior changes and increased healthcare utilizations. This study has implications for healthcare professionals, social services agencies and policy makers. Our findings point to the needs for healthcare professionals to be more alert of the association of loneliness and adverse health outcomes. Communities and social services agencies should collectively take a lead in reducing social isolation, improving intergenerational relationships, and increasing social networks and companionship for this group of vulnerable older adults. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.