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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Fiona MatthewsORCiD
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© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of self and partner experiences of loneliness and social isolation on life satisfaction in people with dementia and their spousal carers. Methods: We used data from 1042 dementia caregiving dyads in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) programme cohort. Loneliness was measured using the six-item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale and social isolation using the six-item Lubben Social Network Scale. Data were analysed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model framework. Results: Self-rated loneliness was associated with poorer life satisfaction for both people with dementia and carers. The initial partner effects observed between the loneliness of the carer and the life satisfaction of the person with dementia and between social isolation reported by the person with dementia and life satisfaction of the carer were reduced to nonsignificance once the quality of the relationship between them was considered. Discussion: Experiencing greater loneliness and social isolation is linked with reduced life satisfaction for people with dementia and carers. However, having a positive view of the quality of the relationship between them reduced the impact of loneliness and social isolation on life satisfaction. Findings suggest the need to consider the experiences of both the person with dementia and the carer when investigating the impact of loneliness and social isolation. Individual interventions to mitigate loneliness or isolation may enhance life satisfaction for both partners and not simply the intervention recipient.
Author(s): Rippon I, Victor CR, Martyr A, Matthews FE, Quinn C, Rusted JM, Jones RW, Collins R, van Horik J, Pentecost C, Allan L, Clare L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Aging and Mental Health
Year: 2024
Pages: epub ahead of print
Online publication date: 11/12/2023
Acceptance date: 03/11/2023
ISSN (print): 1360-7863
ISSN (electronic): 1364-6915
Publisher: Routledge
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2286618
DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2286618
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