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Social participation reduces isolation among Japanese older people in urban area: A 3-year longitudinal study

Author

Listed:
  • Manami Ejiri
  • Hisashi Kawai
  • Yoshinori Fujiwara
  • Kazushige Ihara
  • Yutaka Watanabe
  • Hirohiko Hirano
  • Hun Kyung Kim
  • Kaori Ishii
  • Koichiro Oka
  • Shuichi Obuchi

Abstract

Objectives: Social isolation is a particular problem among older people and social participation may reduce future isolation. However, it is unclear which types of activities and which level of participation are effective. This study examines the relationship between social participation and isolation among Japanese older people by employing a 3-year longitudinal study. Methods: A mail survey was sent to 3,518 community-dwelling older people in an urban area in 2014 (baseline: BL). We then conducted follow-up mail survey on respondents who were non-isolated at BL in 2017 (follow-up: FL), with isolation being defined as being in contact with others less than once a week. An analysis was carried out on 1,070 subjects (398 men and 672 women). Social participation is defined by participation in group activities (community, senior club, hobbies, sports, volunteering, politics, industry, and religion). A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between the types of social participation and the number of organization types at BL, and isolation at FL. Results: At FL, 75 men (18.8%) and 59 women (8.8%) were considered to be isolated. Among the men, participation in a hobby group and sports group both significantly reduced the degree of isolation. Moreover, participation in two organizations and three or more organizations significantly lowered the risk of isolation when compared to non-participants. Among women, there were no significant associations among particular types of social activities and isolation. On the other hand, participation in one organization and three or more organizations significantly reduced their isolation when compared to non-participants. There was a significant linear trend between the number of types of organizations and isolation, regardless of gender. Conclusions: Participation in social activities reduces future isolation in older people. Encouraging participation in social activities could help reduce negative health outcomes associated with social isolation later in life.

Suggested Citation

  • Manami Ejiri & Hisashi Kawai & Yoshinori Fujiwara & Kazushige Ihara & Yutaka Watanabe & Hirohiko Hirano & Hun Kyung Kim & Kaori Ishii & Koichiro Oka & Shuichi Obuchi, 2019. "Social participation reduces isolation among Japanese older people in urban area: A 3-year longitudinal study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0222887
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Eun-Jung Kwon & Hye-Sun Jung, 2021. "The Effect of Labor and Relationship Exclusions on Older Korean Men with Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Risa Takashima & Ryuta Onishi & Kazuko Saeki & Michiyo Hirano, 2020. "The values and meanings of social activities for older urban men after retirement," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Hisashi Kawai & Manami Ejiri & Harukazu Tsuruta & Yukie Masui & Yutaka Watanabe & Hirohiko Hirano & Yoshinori Fujiwara & Kazushige Ihara & Masashi Tanaka & Shuichi Obuchi, 2020. "Factors associated with follow-up difficulty in longitudinal studies involving community-dwelling older adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-10, August.
    4. JiYeon Choi & Kyeongra Yang & Sang Hui Chu & Yoosik Youm & Hyeon Chang Kim & Yeong-Ran Park & Youn-Jung Son, 2020. "Social Activities and Health-Related Quality of Life in Rural Older Adults in South Korea: A 4-Year Longitudinal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-18, July.

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