Social support and loneliness among frail older adults attending daycare centers: A multicultural study in Israel

Rabia Khalaila, Adi Vitman-Schorr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: To examine the link between intensity of use of formal support and loneliness among older adults, controlling for family support and covariates; and examine the moderating effect of contact frequency with family on this relationship. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from September 2016 - April 2017 through structured interviews with 360 older adults attending adult day care centers (ADCCs) and representing three different ethnic groups in Israel. Loneliness was assessed by the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Hierarchical regression was applied to the study variables with loneliness scores as dependent variable, and bootstrapping with resampling strategies tested a moderating effect. Results: Loneliness was linked negatively with contact frequency with the family network, frequency of ADCC attendance, and greater involvement in social activities at the ADCC. Significant negative correlation between ADCC attendance frequency and loneliness occurred only when family contact was at low-to-average frequency, but not in cases of high-contact frequency. Conclusions: Frequent use of ADCCs emerged as a significant contributor beyond the contribution of family support for reducing loneliness in older age, particularly for those with insufficient family contact. Service providers should improve the accessibility and availability of formal community services for the older population.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104486
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume97
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Family support
  • Formal support
  • Loneliness
  • Moderating effect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Aging
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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