About this Research Topic
Frontiers in Public Health is excited to announce a Research Topic with the theme "International Perspectives on Older Adult Social Isolation and Loneliness." This collection aims to address the urgent public health challenge posed by the escalating levels of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection experienced by older adults.
The influence of physical, environmental, social, psychological, cultural, and economic forces on late-life relationships and connectedness will be explored by an international roster of researchers and practice scholars. The perspectives of theorists, educators, administrators, public health officials, clinicians, and program planners will all be included to ensure arriving at a more nuanced appreciation of what has been proclaimed as one of the greatest public health challenges of our day. Arriving at a greater understanding of the conditions that put elders at risk of becoming socially isolated and lonely; the extent to which it should be considered both a personal, community, and societal threat; the impact of COVID-19, those at greatest risk, its negative consequences, and, steps that can be taken to prevent, reduce, and reverse its occurrence. Ultimately, this Research Topic intends to help readers more thoroughly understand the underlying causes as well as effective programmatic strategies for bolstering older adult social and emotional health and community engagement across diverse cultures, social systems, and cohorts.
This Research Topic will represent some of the most current theoretical, programmatic, and clinical research from around the world inquiring into the growing fragility of late-life relationships and the accompanying feelings of disengagement. From multiple disciplinary and professional perspectives, this Research Topic will serve to document our current understanding of the complexities surrounding the negative impacts of weakened relational ties on older adult safety, health, and well-being. Additionally, it will showcase some of the most promising programs and interventive techniques that show the greatest promise in helping to repair and maintain the integrity of an older adult’s social and community network and support system.
Submission topics may include, but are not limited to:
• theoretical frameworks and conceptual models of social isolation and loneliness in older adults
• epidemiological and prevalence analyses of social isolation and loneliness among diverse populations of older adults
• the emotional, behavioural, physical, environmental and social determinants that contribute to the risk for and prevalence of elder isolation and/or loneliness
• impacts of social isolation and loneliness on older adult health, safety, cognition, life satisfaction, and well-being
• innovative programs and interventions aimed at preventing and/or reducing social isolation and loneliness
• multidisciplinary approaches to addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adult populations
• policy and community-based initiatives to promote social connectedness and engagement
• the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on elder isolation and loneliness
• technological advancements and their role in potentially increasing and, conversely, mitigating social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
The influence of physical, environmental, social, psychological, cultural, and economic forces on late-life relationships and connectedness will be explored by an international roster of researchers and practice scholars. The perspectives of theorists, educators, administrators, public health officials, clinicians, and program planners will all be included to ensure arriving at a more nuanced appreciation of what has been proclaimed as one of the greatest public health challenges of our day. Arriving at a greater understanding of the conditions that put elders at risk of becoming socially isolated and lonely; the extent to which it should be considered both a personal, community, and societal threat; the impact of COVID-19, those at greatest risk, its negative consequences, and, steps that can be taken to prevent, reduce, and reverse its occurrence. Ultimately, this Research Topic intends to help readers more thoroughly understand the underlying causes as well as effective programmatic strategies for bolstering older adult social and emotional health and community engagement across diverse cultures, social systems, and cohorts.
This Research Topic will represent some of the most current theoretical, programmatic, and clinical research from around the world inquiring into the growing fragility of late-life relationships and the accompanying feelings of disengagement. From multiple disciplinary and professional perspectives, this Research Topic will serve to document our current understanding of the complexities surrounding the negative impacts of weakened relational ties on older adult safety, health, and well-being. Additionally, it will showcase some of the most promising programs and interventive techniques that show the greatest promise in helping to repair and maintain the integrity of an older adult’s social and community network and support system.
Submission topics may include, but are not limited to:
• theoretical frameworks and conceptual models of social isolation and loneliness in older adults
• epidemiological and prevalence analyses of social isolation and loneliness among diverse populations of older adults
• the emotional, behavioural, physical, environmental and social determinants that contribute to the risk for and prevalence of elder isolation and/or loneliness
• impacts of social isolation and loneliness on older adult health, safety, cognition, life satisfaction, and well-being
• innovative programs and interventions aimed at preventing and/or reducing social isolation and loneliness
• multidisciplinary approaches to addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adult populations
• policy and community-based initiatives to promote social connectedness and engagement
• the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on elder isolation and loneliness
• technological advancements and their role in potentially increasing and, conversely, mitigating social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
Keywords: healthy ageing, aging, loneliness, social isolation, older adults, social determinants of health, COVID-19
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
