{"id":45866,"date":"2022-11-03T20:36:47","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T20:36:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essays.homeworkacetutors.com\/2022\/11\/impact-of-loneliness-on-human-health-and-well-being\/"},"modified":"2022-11-03T20:36:47","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T20:36:47","slug":"impact-of-loneliness-on-human-health-and-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/impact-of-loneliness-on-human-health-and-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact of Loneliness on Human Health and Well-being"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Human health is a wonderfully dynamic area of medicine because it encompasses so many sub-specialisations, it is forever changing as patients move through various phases of health from poor to complete health in the space of days, weeks, months, years and one can even transition between different health states in just a matter of a single consultation with a doctor. <\/p>\n

There has been an evolution in the definition
\nof health over the years. Early definitions in keeping with biomedical
\ntraditions of medicine focused on just the functionality of the body and how it
\nis amenable to disturbances during disease states\/illness. Then, in 1948 the
\nWHO (World Health Organisation) radically altered the definition and stated
\nthat health is the complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
\nmerely the absence of disease or infirmity (a biopsychosocial model)1<\/sup>.
\nThis definition was initially heavily acclaimed and hailed as an innovative
\napproach to defining the aim doctors should strive to achieve for their
\npatients and although it seems complete and thorough, the inclusion criteria is
\nseen to be somewhat broad, vague and immeasurable. In accordance with such a
\ndefinition few people around the world would be regarded as completely healthy.
\nFurthermore, adhering to such a definition could potentially incentivise the healthcare
\nsystem2<\/sup>. Huber\u2019s definition of health coined in 2011, went a long
\nway to finding the appropriate conceptualisation of health and is still key in
\ntoday\u2019s healthcare practices. It involved a more dynamic approach with the
\nfundamental theme being resilience, more specifically the capacity for a
\npatient to absorb disturbance and re-organise, to maintain and restore one\u2019s
\nintegrity and identity3<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Leading on from Huber\u2019s definition, it has
\nbeen understood that a crucial determinant of a positive health outcome and a
\npatient attribute which favours resilience is social connectedness; the absence
\nof which can cause destructive neurological and cardiovascular changes as well
\nas having a damaging psychological impact4,5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs states that upon fulfilment of physiological and safety needs, the third level of human needs is interpersonal and involves feelings of belongingness (the need to be part of a community or social circle)6<\/sup>. This hierarchy holds true for patients, and their healthcare outcomes; deficiencies within this level of the hierarchy can detrimentally impact health-social anxiety and clinical depression being a chief example7<\/sup>. The foremost groups of patients that are likely to experience loneliness, neglect, and ostracism are the elderly, hospitalised patients, those with stigmatised conditions, and the disabled. In the USA a systematic study showed that in people over the age of 50 living with HIV\/AIDS, positive changes in psychosocial factors such as loneliness and isolation<\/a> resulted in a decreased transmission and improved health outcome, reducing the burden of disease as adherence to HIV medications increased8<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

For the purpose of answering the question on the impact of loneliness on human health and well-being, the focus will be on the elderly population<\/a> as they make up the majority of our population, the UK demographics is shifting more towards an ageing population. The elderly is more at risk of social isolation because of an increase in chronic debilitating conditions e.g. risk of heart disease, stroke, falls and fractures, patients experiencing chronic pain and fatigue. The elderly experience more losses than their younger counterparts, losses in relationships, independence (becoming reliant on family members and carers), mobility, work and income.\u00a0 Other life transitions afflict the older population which inherently involve a more sedentary and isolated lifestyle including retirement, potential loss of driving capabilities, functional losses e.g. rheumatoid arthritis affecting dexterity and manual handling, age related hearing loss etc. Research conducted by Age UK recently revealed that half a million people over the age of 60 in the UK usually spend each day alone9<\/sup>. And nearly half (49%) of people over the age of 75 are living alone10<\/sup>. Existing health conditions or impairments in the elderly can lead to a restricted level of independence resulting in feelings of loneliness which inevitably lead to social isolation11<\/sup>. A shocking statistic was revealed by a study conducted by Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010 which found that loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day12<\/sup>. <\/p>\n

The impact of social isolation in the elderly is
\nthree-fold, the social impact is that those without a social network are more
\nlikely to participate in risk taking behaviours; studies have shown the use of
\nalcohol to alleviate the depression, loneliness and anxiety experienced and
\npatients are less likely to adhere to medical advice13<\/sup>. The
\npsychological impact is the increased risk of cognitive decline due to a lack
\nof social connections. Persistent\/chronic loneliness and isolation is what
\nimpacts mental health the most. Impairment in sleep quality triggering memory
\ndysfunction with adverse changes to hormonal and neural regulation; which in
\nturn amplified the feelings of vulnerability, anxiety and depression14, 15<\/sup>.
\nThe risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s dementia doubles in those experiencing chronic
\nself-perceived loneliness16<\/sup>. The English Longitudinal Study of
\nAgeing has revealed that elderly people that have a social circle and are
\nengaged with experience greater cognitive stimulation and have lower stress
\nlevels thus see less of a decline in cognition17<\/sup> and have been shown
\nto be less susceptible to developing dementia18<\/sup>. The physiological
\nimpact of being lonely is multi-faceted as it affects a number of normal
\nfunctions including the increase in blood pressure, due to heightened
\nsympathetic tone with increases in cortisol level (stress hormone) identified. A
\nnumber of epidemiological studies have identified that those with a lack of
\nsocial support are more predisposed to developing cardiovascular disease. Scarcity
\nin social support and welfare has been linked to a faster development of
\natherosclerosis and a heightened risk of a myocardial infarction or stroke19,20,21<\/sup>.\n<\/p>\n

In the coming years we face a challenge to tackle the
\nsocial isolation crisis not just because the life expectancy is increasing but
\nalso globally the number of elderly living with dementia is projected to
\nescalate to 81 million by 2040, suffering from such a debilitating condition
\nnaturally lends itself towards becoming socially isolated22<\/sup>. The UK
\nKings Fund National Statistics Analysis has estimated that the number of people
\nover the age of 85 living on their own is expected to grow from 573,000 to 1.4
\nmillion by 203223<\/sup>. A qualitative questionnaire study was conducted using
\nthe Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of life\/Happiness Index, highlighted
\nthat mental health is negatively associated with day time activities24<\/sup>;
\nhaving a daily occupation or even just being busy during the day vastly
\nimproves wellbeing and can be beneficial in providing meaning, improving social
\nrelations and boosting self-esteem25<\/sup>. Even offering adaptive coping
\nstrategies such as signposting them to social workers or focus groups can be
\nsignificantly beneficial to patients suffering with social isolation and
\nloneliness. <\/p>\n

Social isolation should be seen as a
\ndiagnosis which needs be identified both in primary and secondary care by
\nhealthcare professionals. Appropriate training and education needs to be
\nprovided to be able to identify vulnerable patients. The NHS has made strides
\nwith the implementation of care packages for patients upon discharge from
\ninpatient hospital stay with social care being endeavoured to be put into
\nplace. However, many patients go unnoticed, most times this is due to a lack of
\ncommunication and understanding. More effort needs to be made to assess
\npatients in primary care settings such as during home visits. A strategy needs
\nto be implemented whereby when a patient arrives for a consultation, the
\npatient is assessed holistically. Not to just focus on what is physiologically
\nwrong but to always bear in mind the human dimension, to cultivate a climate of
\nunderstanding with the patient and delve deeper into the different dimensions
\nof patient care, the chief amongst them being social and psychological
\nwell-being; above and beyond anything else, patients always want to feel
\nlistened to26,27,28<\/sup>. A potential strategy for identifying patients
\nmost in need is by implementing a holistic assessment tool into everyday
\nclinical practice, addressing the physiological, psychological, sociological,
\ndevelopmental, spiritual and cultural needs of a patient. Once high-risk
\npatients are identified (for example patients that have experienced a recent
\nbereavement or have health-limiting conditions) they need to be signposted to
\nrelevant psychological therapy services, support groups and they must be
\nencouraged to help themselves by doing regular exercise and getting involved in
\nactivities they enjoy.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

References <\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. World Health Organization. (2014). Constitution of the world health organization. WHO Constitution<\/em>, (Forty-eighth edition), 1\u201319. https:\/\/doi.org\/12571729<\/li>\n
  2. McWhinney, I. R. (1987). Health and disease: problems of definition. CMAJ\u202f: Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal de l\u201dAssociation Medicale Canadienne<\/em>, 136<\/em>(8), 815.<\/li>\n
  3. Huber, M., Andr\u00e9 Knottnerus, J., Green, L., Van Der Horst, H., Jadad, A. R., Kromhout, D., Smid, H. (2011). How should we define health? BMJ (Online)<\/em>, 343<\/em>(7817), 1\u20133. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmj.d4163<\/li>\n
  4. Bhatti, A. B., & Haq, A. ul. (2017). The Pathophysiology of Perceived Social Isolation: Effects on Health and Mortality. Cureus<\/em>, 9<\/em>(1), 1\u201310. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.994<\/li>\n
  5. Zavaleta, D., Samuel, K., & Mills, C. (2014). Social Isolation: A Conceptual and Measurement Proposal<\/em>. OPHI Working Paper 67<\/em>. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.ophi.org.uk\/social-isolation-a-conceptual-and-measurement-proposal<\/li>\n
  6. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation.\u00a0Psychological Review, 50<\/em>(4), 370-396.<\/li>\n
  7. Jackson, J. C., Santoro, M. J., Ely, T. M., Boehm, L., Kiehl, A. L., Anderson, L. S., & Ely, E.W. (2016). HHS Public Access, 29<\/em>(3), 438\u2013444. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jcrc.2014.01.009.<\/li>\n
  8. Rubtsova, A. A., Kempf, M.-C., Taylor, T. N., Konkle-Parker, D., Wingood, G. M., & Holstad, M. M. (2017). Healthy Aging in Older Women Living with HIV Infection: a Systematic Review of Psychosocial Factors. Current HIV\/AIDS Reports<\/em>, 14<\/em>(1), 17\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11904-017-0347-y<\/li>\n
  9. Age UK. (2014). Evidence Review: Loneliness in Later Life. White Paper<\/em>, (July), 1\u201329.<\/li>\n
  10. Office for National Statistics. (2012). General Lifestyle Survey Overview 2011, 6. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-420220-7.09003-9<\/li>\n
  11. Duane, F., Brasher, K., & Koch, S. (2013). Living alone with dementia. Dementia<\/em>, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a012<\/em>(1), 123\u2013136. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1471301211420331<\/li>\n
  12. Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine<\/em>, 7<\/em>(7).https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pmed.1000316<\/li>\n
  13. Imonen, S., Valvanne, J., and Pitkala, K.H. (2011) \u2018Older adults\u2019 own reasoning for their alcohol consumption\u2019. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(11), pp. 1169-1176.<\/li>\n
  14. Nicholson, N. R. (2012). A review of social isolation: An important but underassessed condition in older adults. Journal of Primary Prevention<\/em>, 33<\/em>(2\u20133), 137\u2013152. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10935-012-0271-2<\/a><\/li>\n
  15. Hawkley, LC, Cacioppo, JT. (2010) \u2018Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms\u2019. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40 (2), pp. 218\u201322<\/li>\n
  16. Amieva, H, Stoykova, R, Matharan, F, Helmer, C, Antonucci, TC, Dartigues, J. (2010) \u2018What aspects of social network are protective for dementia? Not the quantity but the quality of social interactions is protective up to 15 years later\u2019. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72 (9), pp. 905\u2013911.<\/li>\n
  17. Shankar, A., Hamer, H., McMunn, A., Steptoe, A. P. A. (2013) \u2018Social isolation and loneliness: relationships with cognitive function during 4 years of follow-up in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing\u2019, Psychosomatic Medicine 75, pp. 161-170 <\/li>\n
  18. Dickinson, WJ, Potter, GG, Hybels, CG, McQuoid, DR, Steffens DC. (2011) \u2018Change in stress and social support as predictors of cognitive decline in older adults with and without depression\u2019. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26 (12), pp. 1267\u20131274 <\/li>\n
  19. Men\u00e9ndez-Villalva, C., Gamarra-Mondelo, M. T., Alonso-Fachado, A., Naveira-Castelo, A., & Montes-Mart\u00ednez, A. (2015). Social network, presence of cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients. Journal of Human Hypertension<\/em>, 29<\/em>(7), 417\u2013423. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/jhh.2014.116<\/li>\n
  20. Valtorta, N. K., Kanaan, M., Gilbody, S., Ronzi, S., & Hanratty, B. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart<\/em>, 102<\/em>(13), 1009\u20131016. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/heartjnl-2015-308790<\/li>\n
  21. White, C. N., VanderDrift, L. E., & Heffernan, K. S. (2015). Social isolation, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease risk. Current Opinion in Psychology<\/em>, 5<\/em>, 18\u201323. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.copsyc.2015.03.005<\/li>\n
  22. Ferri, C. P., Prince, M., Brayne, C., Brodaty, H., Fratiglioni, L., & Ganguli, M., et al. (2005). Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study. The Lancet, 366, 2112\u20132117. <\/li>\n
  23. The King\u2019s Fund analysis of Office for National Statistics (July 2011). Statistical Bulletin. Death registrations by single year of age, England and Wales 2010 and Office for National Statistics (2011) 2010\u2013based national population projections, Mortality Assumptions<\/li>\n
  24. Bos, E. H., Snippe, E., De Jonge, P., & Jeronimus, B. F. (2016). Preserving subjective wellbeing in the face of psychopathology: Buffering effects of personal strengths and resources. PLoS ONE<\/em>, 11<\/em>(3), 1\u201314. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0150867<\/li>\n
  25. Catalino, L. I., Algoe, S. B., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2014). Prioritizing positivity: An effective approach to pursuing happiness? Emotion<\/em>, 14<\/em>(6), 1155\u20131161. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0038029<\/li>\n
  26. Luxford, Y 2012, \u2018Assessing\u2019, in Berman, A, Snyder, S, Kozier, B, Erb, G, Levett-Jones, T, Hales, M, Harvey, N, Luxford, Y, Moxham, L, Park, T, Parker, B, Reid-Searl, K & Stanley, D (eds), Kozier and Erb\u2019s fundamentals of nursing, Australian adaptation, 2nd edn, Pearson, Sydney<\/li>\n
  27. Morton, P & Fontaine, D 2009, Critical care nursing: a holistic approach, 9th<\/sup>\u00a0edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins PA. <\/li>\n
  28. Weber, J 2005, Nurses\u2019 handbook of health assessment, 5th<\/sup>\u00a0edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, PA. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    • Jackson, J. C., Santoro, M. J., Ely, T. M., Boehm, L., Kiehl, A. L., Anderson, L. S., & Ely, E. <\/li>\n
    • W. (2016). HHS Public Access, 29<\/em>(3), 438\u2013444. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jcrc.2014.01.009.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Human health is a wonderfully dynamic area of medicine because it encompasses so many sub-specialisations, it is forever changing as patients move through various phases of health from poor to complete health in the space of days, weeks, months, years and one can even transition between different health states in just a matter of a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6658,5788,8396],"tags":[5676,5686,5780,5294,5674,5677,5678,6403,4639],"class_list":["post-45866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-do-my-homework-health-and-social-care","category-health-and-social-care","category-paper-writing-service","tag-1500-words-assessment-task","tag-ace-homework-tutors","tag-assignment-homework-help-answers","tag-bishops-writing-bureau","tag-create-a-2-4-page-resource","tag-create-powerpoint-include-harvard-referencing","tag-i-need-completed-essay-in-300-400-words","tag-write-a-3-5pg-paper","tag-write-a-page-assignment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45866","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45866"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45866\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colapapers.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}