Functionality and loneliness in older people: model of mediation by positive affect

• Espirito-Santo, Helena ^[2] ; Crúzio-Grilo, Leana ^[2] ; Lemos, Laura ^[2] ; Grasina, Alexandra ^[2] ; Andrade, Diogo ^[2] ; Daniel, Fernanda ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidade de Coimbra

     Universidade de Coimbra

     Coimbra (Sé Nova), Portugal

     
  2. [2] Instituto Superior Miguel Torga
• Localización: Anales de psicología, ISSN-e 1695-2294, ISSN 0212-9728, Vol. 40, Nº. 1, 2024 (Ejemplar dedicado a: January - April), págs. 110-118
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.6018/analesps.494781
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Funcionalidad y soledad en personas mayores: modelo de mediación por el afecto positivo
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Objetivo: La soledad se asocia a la discapacidad funcional en la población mayor, aunque se sabe poco sobre el papel de la afectividad en esta relación. Nos proponemos explorar el efecto mediador de la afectividad en la relación entre funcionalidad y soledad, controlando el efecto de las variables relevantes. Métodos: Se administró la Escala de Soledad de la Universidad de California-16, la Escala de Funcionalidad Geriátrica, las Escalas de Afecto Positivo y Negativo-14 y la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica-8 a 489 adultos mayores (65–100 años), 428 de residencias geriátricas y 61 de la comunidad. Resultados: Los residentes en una institución, mujeres, viudos, con baja educación, más discapacidad funcional, más afecto negativo, menos afecto positivo y más síntomas depresivos reportaron más soledad. Controlando el efecto de los síntomas depresivos, género, situación residencial, estado civil y educación, solo el afecto positivo medió, parcialmente, la relación entre funcionalidad y soledad. Conclusión: Se sugieren intervenciones para aumentar la concienciación por parte de los adultos mayores en los perfiles personalizados de afecto positivo, aliviando así los sentimientos de soledad en los que sufren limitaciones funcionales (especialmente mujeres, con síntomas depresivos, viudos, residiendo en una institución y con bajo nivel educativo).

  • English

    Objective: Research has shown that loneliness is associated with functional disability in the older population. However, little is known about the role of affectivity in this relationship. The present study explored a mediation model in which affectivity was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between functionality and loneliness, controlling for the effect of relevant variables. Methods: The University of California Loneliness Scale-16 items, Geriatric Functionality Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-14, and Geriatric Depression Scale-8 were administered to 489 old adults (65–100 years old), 428 from social care homes (SCH), and 61 from the community. Results: Those from SCH, women, widowed, with low education, more functional disability, more negative affect, less positive affect, and more depressive symptoms reported more loneliness. Controlling for the effect of depressive symptoms, gender, residential status, marital status, and education, only positive affect mediated, partially, the relationship between functionality and loneliness. Conclusion: We suggest implementing interventions that increase older adults' insights in personalized patterns of positive affect and, consequently, ease feelings of loneliness in older people suffering from functional limitations (especially women, with depressive symptoms, widowed, residing in an institution, and with low educational level).

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