Factors Associated With Social Isolation Among the Older People in India

Devaki B. Kotian, Maria Mathews, Shradha S. Parsekar, Suma Nair, V. S. Binu, Sonu Hangma Subba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To explore the factors associated with social isolation among older people using the data from Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI) survey. Methods: Multiple logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were used to identify the factors associated with social isolation using data from BKPAI survey. An individual was regarded as socially isolated if the response was “never” to all 4 activities in the last 12 months: (1) attending public meeting, (2) attending any group/club/organizational meeting, (3) attending any religious program, and (4) visiting friends or relatives. Results: Among 9836 older people, 19.7% were observed to be socially isolated. From multiple logistic regression, age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85 for age 80 to 89 years and OR = 2.67 for age ≥90), religion (OR = 0.54 for Christians compared to Hindus), duration of stay in current home (OR = 0.64 for 6-10 years compared to >10 years of stay), number of activities of daily living (ADLs) for which the assistance was needed (OR = 2.09 for 1 or 2, OR = 3.14 for 3 or 4, and OR = 12.05 for 5 or 6), and Alzheimer's disease (OR = 1.65) were identified as factors associated with social isolation. Number of ADL for which the assistance was needed and self-reported health status were the factors identified through CART analysis. Discussion: Requiring help in performing ADL, advancing age, and Alzheimer's disease were the likely factors for socially isolation among elderly patients in this surveyed population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-278
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-09-2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Factors Associated With Social Isolation Among the Older People in India'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this