Author’s information (optional)
Url Link
The hyperlink to my paper’s website.
Methods
This study utilised data from Wave 7 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). ELSA is a longitudinal prospective cohort study of adults aged 50 or older that has been ongoing since 2002 (Wave 1). A total of 8,249 people took part in this wave. We excluded people aged less than 50 (N = 76), those who had a proxy answer on their behalf (N = 597) or had incomplete data for indicators of loneliness, social isolation and living alone (N = 544), giving an analytic sample of 7,032 (mean age = 67.3; 55% female).
I understand that data used in this research was gotten from ELSA and the actual sample size for this research was 7,032 people with a median age of 67.3.
Introduction
Are loneliness, social isolation and living alone the same or different? Researchers and theorists have long hypothesised that loneliness, social isolation and living alone are separate constructs despite overlapping features
I understand there is an ongoing hypothesis by researchers and theorists that loneliness, social isolation and living alone are separate constructs.
Results
When differentiating groups based on isolation, low isolation was indicated by a high likelihood of frequent contact with friends, children and family plus having social/societal involvement. Groups with moderate isolation were identified by having a higher likelihood of reporting positively to one or two of the social isolation indicators such as indicating less-frequent contact with friends, relatives or children plus reporting no social/societal involvement. High social isolation would be indicated by a higher likelihood of responding positively to all indicators of social isolation.
This shows how isolation can be identified in groups of people by taking into consideration the likelihood of their frequent contact with friends, children and family plus having social/societal involvement.
Discussion
However, it is important to note that most groups who experienced either social isolation and/or loneliness were all more likely to have high depressive symptoms when compared with the group with no loneliness or isolation, even after we adjusted for socio-demographic variables.
This means that mental wellbeing should be considered in all people who may be socially isolated or lonely.
Future Directions
To achieve a broader overview, future research should be carried out in people/groups from different cultural and ethnic background. ELSA can be one of the data used while other data sources are considered for use.
Difficult Material
I found it hard to understand the Latent Class Analysis used but eventually got it.
Additional Translation:
· From which section of the paper is this passage?
Discussion
· Paste quoted text on the next line. Do not include quotation marks or a bullet mark:
Our work adds to the research in this field by showing that when compared with a group with no loneliness or isolation, any group who experiences loneliness and/or social isolation are more likely to report poor health. This work also indicates identifying groups with differing characteristics of loneliness and social isolation using data-driven methodologies could represent an interesting avenue to tell us more about how loneliness, social isolation and living alone are linked with health.
· Write your translation on the next line:
The study provides conclusive evidence for future use that groups who experience loneliness or isolation is linked to poorer health. The methodology used here can also be referenced for future research.
Additional Future Directions:
· What future research do you think should follow up on this work?
With a mean age of 67.3 for this research, a younger population should be studied in the future to see if these health issue develop earlier in life and the same across all ages.
Difficult Material (from original poster or subsequent student):
· What did the previous poster state was difficult to understand? (please copy and paste their statement here):
I found it hard to understand the Latent Class Analysis used but eventually got it.
· Please try to explain the difficult materials to the original poster, as best as you can. (This is where you can help them understand what they found difficult.)
The Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is a complex method used for this research. Using LCA enabled the researchers to uncover different groups based on shared experiences of loneliness, social isolation and living alone, showing the different experiences older adults can have. This has important implications for the creation of typologies based on loneliness, social isolation and living alone. It was easier to follow and grasp after understanding this.
New Difficult Material (according to you):
· What did you not understand about this paper, that someone else can help with? If you understood everything, then what did you find most challenging to understand?
I found it difficult to understand the calculations and interpretations from table 2