Do Social Network Sites Enhance or Undermine Subjective Well‐Being? A Critical Review

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136039/1/sipr12033.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136039/2/sipr12033_am.pd

Loneliness, coping practices and masculinities in later life:Findings from a study of older men living alone in England

While much attention has been given to loneliness as a public health and societal problem less consideration has been given to men's experiences, particularly in later life, and there is a limited evidence based on what works with supporting older men to counteract the impact of loneliness on their mental and social wellbeing. In this paper, we focus on the experiences of older men living alone in the community. Between 2017–2018 72 men residing in England (65–95 years) took part in the study and shared their accounts of experiencing and addressing loneliness on an everyday basis. We generated qualitative data through semi‐structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically using the framework analysis approach. We present and discuss findings on the difficulties older men experience in responding to and discussing loneliness and the range of coping practices men applied within their home environments. Three core themes are presented: 1. Maintaining silence around loneliness and distress; 2. Getting on with it versus feeling stuck in loneliness and, 3. Temporary remedies and distractions from loneliness from within the home. Across men's accounts, ‘the home’ is constructed as a space of biographical connections with others as well as a restrictive environment of separation from others. In relation to help‐seeking and efforts to break silence surrounding loneliness, the findings speak to the ways in which masculinities and social expectations attached to male roles complicate older men's varying attempts at help‐seeking and underpin some of their everyday methods of coping with loneliness. The findings reiterate the importance of targeted individual support for older men, particularly for those feeling frozen in loneliness. Facilitators of group‐based support for older men need to recognise the different and potentially conflicting positions older male service users may adopt in relation to help‐seeking that are configured around masculine ideals but in diverging ways

A Study of the Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet Use Among University Students

Problem . Research investigating the relationship between loneliness and various dimensions of Internet use is mixed. While some studies support the connection, other studies refute the link. More analysis in this area is needed to help clinicians, parents, college students, school counselors, and educators better understand the effects of the Internet on college-age students. This study attempts to expand understanding of the conflictual relationship that exists between loneliness and the dynamics of Internet use in undergraduate students. Method . Four-hundred sixty-six randomly selected Andrews University undergraduate students who lived in residence halls, university apartments, and the community completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and the Internet Use Survey, a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Demographic information was also collected. Analysis of variance, multiple regression, and correlational analyses were performed to test the hypotheses of the study. Results . Overall, results indicate the Internet does not seem to be influencing the loneliness levels in undergraduate students. Specifically, the amount of Internet use, type of Internet use, history of Internet use, reasons for using the Internet, preference for the Internet as a mode of communication, preference for type of Internet activity, and the changes in face-to-face interaction, talking on the phone, and overall communicating with family, friends, and others (besides family and friends) since using the Internet have a minimal effect on the loneliness experienced in undergraduate students. Conclusions . In this study, Internet use does not contribute to loneliness among undergraduates using the Internet less than 40 hours per week. For most, use of the Internet is both highly enjoyable and useful.Loneliness is more prevalent in the few who use the Internet more than 40 hours per week and in those who prefer the Internet over face-to-face interaction or talking on the phone. Results showed an inverse relationship between loneliness and the number of years a student had used the Internet. Newer users are at a slightly higher risk of experiencing loneliness than those with a longer history of Internet use. Previous research has questioned the importance of Internet use as a contributing factor in loneliness. In this study, the empirical findings regarding the overall relationships of loneliness and Internet use were weak

Public Space: The Critical Connection in a Sometimes Lonely City

Loneliness is a critical yet often overlooked social issue with significant mental and physical health implications. The increasing prevalence of loneliness in recent decades, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the significance of public space as a critical platform for social connection. While extant research on loneliness and interventions to address the crisis laid the groundwork for understanding the state of the issue, gaps in current knowledge persist. In particular, there is a lack of consistent methods for measuring loneliness on a large scale, empirical evidence to support the link between loneliness and specific features of the built environment, and proof of efficacy of existing interventions at a local level. This study examines the extent to which public space features relate to visitors' social connections and loneliness levels. Four pedestrian plazas and four community gardens in New York City are selected as case studies, focusing on neighborhoods with relatively greater racial diversity and lower median household income. Data are gathered from multiple sources, including observational data on the public life and documentation of physical features of all eight sites, a field survey that engaged over 180 visitor respondents, and interviews with 15 public space managers and designers. By investigating a diverse set of public spaces in New York City, this study provides evidence linking governance and public space design to the quality of social interactions and levels of loneliness among visitors. Seven key findings related to public space governance structure, programming, stewardship, openness, physical features, locality, and seasonality are outlined in the study. Insights gained from this study provide considerations for different stakeholders, including public space planners and designers, researchers, and city governments. By understanding and optimizing the influence of public spaces, conducting further research into effective strategies, and forming a coalition of efforts to address loneliness, cities can design for connection and pave the way toward better physical, psychological, and social outcomes for all

Social network characteristics and loneliness in older adults

Background: Loneliness is a prevalent experience associated with many negative physical and mental health outcomes. Due to the ageing population worldwide, and the greater vulnerability of older adults to these outcomes, it is important that loneliness is understood in this age group to inform effective interventions. To date, research has not examined how commonly employed scales capture loneliness in older adults or how close friendships and other social network aspects relate to loneliness in depth. Methods: Cross-sectional quantitative survey methods were employed throughout this thesis. The first two studies were conducted online to assess the measurement properties and overlap of commonly employed loneliness scales and, the relationship between close friendships and loneliness and psychological well-being in older adults. Postal surveys were utilised to examine egocentric social network characteristics in relation to loneliness and psychological well-being. Various network analytic techniques as well as polynomial and segmented regression methods were applied. Findings: It was highlighted that the SELSA-S appeared to have the ability to tap into more diverse loneliness dimensions whereas others measured fewer dimensions. One specific item from all loneliness scales examined seemed to tap in the most domains of loneliness. An inverse curvilinear relationship was demonstrated between the number of close friendships and loneliness and psychological well-being. Emotional closeness to friends as well as network size and an increased number of friends were also indicated as important network characteristics in relation to improved levels of loneliness. Conclusions: The SELSA-S may be the most appropriate tool to assess loneliness in older adults when wishing to measure loneliness resulting from deficits in specific social connections. Increasing focus on building and deepening emotionally close friendships as well as network size are social network characteristics which could improve the effectiveness of loneliness interventions in this age group

Reducing loneliness among migrant and ethnic minority people: a participatory evidence synthesis

Background: To date, there has been little research into the causes of, and solutions to, loneliness among migrant and ethnic minority people. Objectives: The objectives were to synthesise available evidence and produce new insights relating to initiatives that aim to address loneliness among these populations, plus the logic, functioning and effects of such initiatives. Data sources: Electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts and Social Science Citation Index via Web of Science – no date restrictions were applied), grey literature searches, and citation and reference searching were conducted. Data were generated via nine workshops with three consultation panels involving 34 public contributors, and one practitioner workshop involving 50 participants. Review methods: Guided by ‘systems thinking’, a theory-driven synthesis was combined with an effectiveness review to integrate evidence on the nature and causes of loneliness, interventional types and programme theory, and intervention implementation and effectiveness. Results: The theory review indicated that common conceptualisations of ‘loneliness’ can be usefully extended to recognise four proximate determinants when focusing on migrant and ethnic minority populations: positive social ties and interactions, negative social ties and interactions, self-worth, and appraisal of existing ties. A total of 170 interventions were included. A typology of eight interventions was developed. Detailed logic models were developed for three common types of intervention: befriending, shared-identity social support groups and intercultural encounters. The models for the first two types were generally well supported by empirical data; the third was more tentative. Evaluation of intervention processes and outcomes was limited by study content and quality. Evidence from 19 qualitative and six quantitative studies suggested that social support groups have a positive impact on dimensions of loneliness for participants. Evidence from nine qualitative and three quantitative studies suggested that befriending can have positive impacts on loneliness. However, inconsistent achievements of the befriending model meant that some initiatives were ineffective. Few studies on intercultural encounters reported relevant outcomes, although four provided some qualitative evidence and three provided quantitative evidence of improvement. Looking across intervention types, evidence suggests that initiatives targeting the proximate determinants – particularly boosting self-worth – are more effective than those that do not. No evidence was available on the long-term effects of any initiatives. UK intervention (n = 41) and non-intervention (n = 65) studies, together with consultation panel workshop data, contributed to a narrative synthesis of system processes. Interlocking factors operating at individual, family, community, organisational and wider societal levels increase risk of loneliness, and undermine access to, and the impact of, interventions. Racism operates in various ways throughout the system to increase risk of loneliness. Limitations: There was a lack of high-quality quantitative studies, and there were no studies with longer-term follow-up. UK evidence was very limited. Studies addressing upstream determinants operating at the community and societal levels did not link through to individual outcome measures. Some elements of the search approach may mean that relevant literature was overlooked. Conclusions: Theory regarding the causes of loneliness, and functioning of interventions, among migrant and ethnic minority populations was usefully developed. Evidence of positive impact on loneliness was strongest for shared-identity social support groups. Quantitative evidence was inadequate. The UK evidence base was extremely limited. Future work: UK research in this area is desperately needed. Co-production of interventional approaches with migrant and ethnic minority people and evaluation of existing community-based initiatives are priorities

Older Adult Mental Health Considerations and Differences in the COVID-19 Context: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted older adult mental health in Ontario. Information around the aging and mental health considerations of older adults and their support network is lacking. There is also a knowledge gap regarding differences in older adults’ mental health since the pandemic onset. Research Questions: This thesis asked two research questions: 1. What are the considerations older adults, their caregivers, and health or social care providers have regarding aging and mental health support, care, and treatment, as identified during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? 2. Are there differences in mental health indicators, supports, care, or treatments for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic? Methods: A pragmatic approach was applied to a follow-up quantitative mixed methods study design involving the qualitative framework analysis of free-form survey responses (n = 268), and the quantitative analysis of first-time homecare assessments conducted in Ontario. Results: Four core areas of consideration around aging and mental health were identified: key principles that influence the experiences and outcomes of older adults; societal- and system-level factors affecting older adult mental health; valuable services, supports, and programs; and mental health experiences and outcomes as mapped to the dual-continuum model of mental health. Analysis of n = 96,919 homecare assessments indicated older adults during the pandemic had poorer mental health experiences and outcomes, even when controlling for clinical and demographic differences. Conclusions: Understanding COVID-19 related older adult mental health differences and key considerations relating to aging and mental health can inform the design and application of resources for Ontarian older adults

Les médias sociaux et le bonheur:Le cas de Facebook

Les réseaux sociaux ont rapidement changé la façon dont les gens interagissent entre eux. Le réseau social le plus populaire est Facebook, avec un nombre croissant de personnes qui consacrent de plus en plus de temps sur ce site chaque jour. Dans cet article, nous discutons de l’impact de l’utilisation de Facebook sur le bonheur. La revue de littérature révèle que le bonheur serait influencé différemment selon une utilisation passive ou active de Facebook. L’utilisation active de Facebook stimule le capital social et le sentiment de connexion, qui, à leur tour, ont un impact positif sur le bonheur. L’utilisation passive de Facebook mène souvent à une hausse de la comparaison sociale et de l’envie, qui, à leur tour, ont un impact négatif sur le bonheur. Les gens sont en général plus passifs qu’actifs sur Facebook et ainsi, leur utilisation du site tend à diminuer plutôt qu’à augmenter leur bonheur. Nous terminons cet article en discutant de pistes de recherches futures.Social network sites have rapidly changed the way people interact. The most popular social network site is Facebook with an increasing number of people spending an increasing amount of time on Facebook each day. In this article we discuss the impact of using Facebook on happiness. A review of the present literature reveals that happiness is differentially impacted by active and passive Facebook usage. Active Facebook usage stimulates social capital and connectedness, which, in turn, positively impact happiness. Passive Facebook usage often leads to upward social comparisons and envy, which, in turn, negatively impact happiness. People tend to use Facebook more often passively than actively, and hence, tend to use Facebook in a way that undermines rather than enhances happiness. We end this article by discussing possibilities for future research

Comprehensive overview of education during three COVID-19 pandemic periods : impact on engineering students in Sri Lanka

The study provided an overview of changes in the educational system due to the COVID-19 pandemic among engineering undergraduates of Sri Lanka. Results show that students’ attendance in online classes improved over time compared to the initial pandemic period. Nearly 50% of students’ family income was impacted- either stopped or reduced due to the pandemic. Most students have issues regarding computing devices, internet connectivity, and the home environment, which are not conducive to learning at home. Under normal circumstances, engineering undergraduates in Sri Lanka have high exposure to modern technology and a diversity of instructional delivery, hence this student cohort was chosen for the study