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Social isolation in older M alaysians: prevalence and risk factors
Author(s) -
Ibrahim Rahimah,
Abolfathi Momtaz Yadollah,
Hamid Tengku Aizan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psychogeriatrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.647
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1479-8301
pISSN - 1346-3500
DOI - 10.1111/psyg.12000
Subject(s) - social isolation , residence , isolation (microbiology) , gerontology , ethnic group , psychological intervention , scale (ratio) , logistic regression , quality of life (healthcare) , population , psychology , environmental health , medicine , demography , sociology , geography , psychiatry , nursing , anthropology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cartography
Background: Social isolation is one of the most important emerging issues among ageing populations, as it reduces well‐being, health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify prevalence and risk factors of social isolation in older M alaysians. Methods: The sample for this study was drawn from a national survey entitled ‘ P atterns of S ocial R elationships and P sychological W ell‐ B eing among O lder P ersons in P eninsular M alaysia’. Social isolation was measured with the L ubben S ocial N etwork S cale. Results: The findings from the present study showed that 49.8% of older M alaysians are at risk for social isolation. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of sons, number of brothers, number of sisters, household size, self‐rated health, place of residence, homeownership, sex and ethnicity were significantly associated with social isolation. Conclusion: These findings may have some implications for social and health‐care policymakers in planning and developing new and effective interventions such as educational programmes to reduce social isolation among this vulnerable population