Abstract
"Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) represent important social determinants of health in seniors, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes, including depression, cognitive and functional decline, CVD, and mortality. COVID-19 mitigation measures have amplified these adverse effects, disconnecting older persons from the people, places, and services they rely on for social support in worldwide.
The purpose of this review was to develop an evidence-based framework that depicts factors influencing the risk of SIL, which may help in screening for at-risk seniors before negative symptomatology develops or worsens. The framework may also indicate areas in which protective factors might be strengthened to decrease the risk of SIL among older adults.
For this review, a series of literature searches were conducted via the Embase, Medline and PsycINFO databases, using the keywords social isolation, loneliness, personality type, genetics, pain, and chronic conditions. These keywords covered some important biopsychosocial factors linked with SIL. Using deductive reasoning, a framework was constructed in line with the variables that emerged most significantly.
A total of 70 papers were considered in constructing the framework. The bidirectionality of chronic conditions, the genetic predispositions, and the relationship of personality types and SIL were discussed through different populations. Moreover, a few articles addressed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on individuals.
With the results, a concept map was created to summarize and illustrate the findings by classifying them into overarching themes: Social, Biological, and Psychological factors. This health promotion framework may help key different stakeholders in optimizing services for vulnerable populations and providing them with interventions to reduce the morbidities of SIL."
