de Koning, J, Richards, SH orcid.org/0000-0003-1416-0569, Wood, GER et al. (1 more author) (2021) Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (8). 3971. ISSN 1660-4601
Abstract
Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (Mean Age = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | aging; mental health; qualitative; activity; socio-ecological; environment |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 22 Jun 2021 09:45 |
Last Modified: | 22 Jun 2021 09:45 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | MDPI |
Identification Number: | 10.3390/ijerph18083971 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:175469 |