Association between willingness to participate in physical and social activities and loneliness in older adults: A stratified analysis by social isolation status.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the relationship between willingness to participate in physical activity (PA) and social activity (SA) and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults and to identify differences depending on whether or not they were socially isolated. METHOD: This study included 4,590 participants aged 65 years or older. The study used the UCLA Loneliness Scale and a questionnaire to assess the willingness to participate in PA/SA. Social isolation was defined as the presence of two or more of the following conditions: domestic isolation, less social contact, and social disengagement. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted with loneliness as the dependent variable and willingness to participate in PA/SA as the independent variable, stratified by social isolation. RESULTS: Those who experienced loneliness (n=1,595, 34.7%) were significantly more unwilling to participate in PA/SA than those who did not (p<0.05). For those in social isolation (n=321, 7.0%), there was no association between willingness to participate in PA/SA and loneliness [odds ratio (95% confidence interval); PA, 0.89 (0.41-1.92); SA, 0.52 (0.22-1.20)]. Those without social isolation showed no association between willingness to participate in PA and loneliness; however, there was a significant association with willingness to participate in SA [PA, 1.05 (0.81-1.36); SA, 0.54 (0.41-0.72)]. CONCLUSION: Among people without social isolation, the willingness to participate in SA was associated with reduced loneliness. However, the results suggest that environmental factors may limit activity and increase loneliness among people with social isolation, even when willing to participate in PA/SA.

Social isolation and risk of disability in older adults: Effect modification of metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: Delaying the onset of disabilities is a social challenge, especially in an aging society. Social isolation (SI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) can coexist and pose the risks of disability onset. However, their interaction is not proven in older adults. Therefore, this study investigated whether SI combined with MetS exacerbates disability onset in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3,738 community-dwelling older adults underwent a health check-up. After baseline assessments, we followed them up to assess disability incidence for five years. SI was defined as a condition in which two or more of the following measures were met: domestic isolation, less social contact, and social disengagement. MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. We used Cox proportional hazard regression used to identify the interaction effect of SI and MetS on the risk of disability onset after adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed a significant interaction effect of SI and MetS on disability onset. In the subgroup analysis stratified by MetS status, SI was identified as a risk factor for disability onset only in the MetS group, but not in the non-MetS group. CONCLUSIONS: This five-year longitudinal study showed that the co-occurrence of SI and MetS increased the risk of disability onset in older adults. This indicates that the assessment of MetS in socially isolated older adults is important for healthcare providers to delay the onset of disabilities.

A global perspective on risk factors for social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Older people's physical and mental health are now significantly impacted by social isolation, a major threat to public health. Our goal was to identify the connections between risk factors and social isolation among this population across various geographic areas. METHODS: Seven databases were thoroughly searched, from their inception until April 2023. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to choose the studies. For the included cross-sectional studies, we used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to assess the probability of bias, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the cohort studies. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA 15 to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: All 3043 papers were carefully examined, and 42 satisfied the criteria for inclusion. The results indicated that multi-domain risk factors and social isolation among older persons worldwide are significantly correlated. These multi-domain risk factors included biological factors, socioeconomic factors, and psychological and behavioral factors. It is also important to note that these factors may vary from region to region. CONCLUSION: Many domain factors were linked to social isolation in older individuals living in communities throughout the world. To develop effective strategies for controlling social isolation, it is crucial to conduct assessments of social isolation risk factors in local communities.

Association of polypharmacy with occurrence of loneliness and social isolation among older adults.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is increasing. The longitudinal association of polypharmacy and social isolation has not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to explore longitudinal associations of polypharmacy with loneliness and social isolation among older adults. METHODS: Participants aged 60 years and above in southern Sweden were invited for participation. A total of 1526 and 2556 participants were included in the separate analyses for loneliness and social isolation. Polypharmacy was defined as taking five or more medications. Associations of polypharmacy with occurrence of loneliness and social isolation were estimated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: During follow-up, 409 and 414 participants developed loneliness and social isolation, respectively. The odds for loneliness occurrence were higher for participants with polypharmacy compared to participants without polypharmacy (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05-1.78; P = 0.020). For participants without polypharmacy, the probability of developing loneliness was 0.28 (95% CI, 0.25-0.31), while for those with polypharmacy this probability was 25% higher (0.35; 95% CI, 0.30-0.39). The odds for social isolation occurrence were higher for participants with polypharmacy compared to participants without polypharmacy (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.02-1.64; P = 0.036). For participants without polypharmacy, the probability of developing social isolation was 0.16 (95% CI, 0.14-0.18), while for those with polypharmacy this probability was 18% higher (0.19; 95% CI, 0.17-0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy was associated with loneliness and social isolation occurrence among older adults. Consideration of loneliness and social isolation are warranted when caring for older adults taking multiple medications.

Disrupted synaptic homeostasis and partial occlusion of associative long-term potentiation in the human cortex during social isolation.

Social isolation often occurs in the military mission of soldiers but has increased in the general population since the COVID-19 epidemic. Overall synaptic homeostasis along with associative plasticity for the activity-dependent refinement of transmission across single synapses represent basic neural network function and adaptive behavior mechanisms. Here, we use electrophysiological and behavioral indices to non-invasively study the net synaptic strength and long-term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity of humans in social isolation environments. The theta activity of electroencephalography (EEG) signals and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) intensity to elicit a predefined amplitude of motor-evoked potential (MEP) demonstrate the disrupted synaptic homeostasis in the human cortex during social isolation. Furthermore, the induced MEP change by paired associative stimulation (PAS) demonstrates the partial occlusion of LTP-like plasticity, further behavior performances in a word-pair task are also identified as a potential index. Our study indicates that social isolation disrupts synaptic homeostasis and occludes associative LTP-like plasticity in the human cortex, decreasing behavior performance related to declarative memory.

Social and emotional loneliness among older people living in Nursing Homes in Spain: a cross-sectional study / Soledad social y emocional en personas mayores que viven en resi-dencias geriátricas de España: un estudio transversal

La soledad, poco estudiada en las residencias de ancianos, puede afectar a la salud física y mental. Nuestro objetivo es analizar los factores asociados a la soledad global, social y emocional de un total de 65 residentes de 5 residencias de la Cataluña Central (España), y comprobar su prevalencia. La muestra estuvo formada por 81.5% mujeres con una edad media de 84±7.13 años. El estudio transversal incluyó a adultos mayores de 65 años y con estado cognitivo preservado. Se utilizó la Escala de Soledad de De Jong Gierveld para evaluar la soledad general y sus subtipos; y se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con la salud. Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado (o de Fisher) y la regresión logística para el análisis bivariante y multivariante, respectivamente. La prevalencia de la soledad global fue del 70.7% (IC 95%: 58.2-81.4), la soledad social del 44.6% (IC 95%: 33.1-56.6) y la soledad emocional del 46.2% (IC 95%: 34.5-58.1). La soledad global se asoció con una menor calidad de vida percibida (Odds Ratio-OR = 5.52, IC 95%: 1.25-24.38) y las residencias concertadas (OR = 0.19, IC 95%: 0.05-0. 74); la soledad social con tener 0-1 hijos (OR = 0.25, IC 95%: 0.08-0.77), y la soledad emocional con la depresión (OR = 4.54, IC 95%: 1.28-16.08) y la incontinencia urinaria (UI) (OR = 4.65, IC 95%: 1.23-17.52). La soledad estuvo presente en casi el 71% de los residentes y se asoció con el tipo de residencia y la peor calidad de vida, la emocional con la depresión y la IU y la social con tener menos de 2 hijos.(AU)

Loneliness, little studied in Nursing Homes (NHs), can affect physical and mental health. We aimed to analyze the factors associated with overall, social, and emotional loneliness in 65 residents of 5 NHs from Central Catalonia (Spain), and to verify its prevalence. The sample consisted of 81.5% women with a mean age of 84±7.13 years. The cross-sectional study included older adults aged 65 or over and with preserved cognitive status. De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to assess overall loneliness and itssubtypes; and sociodemographic and health-related variables were collected. The chi-square (or Fisher’s) test and lo-gistic regression were used for bivariate and multivariate analysis respec-tively. Prevalence of overall loneliness was 70.7% (95%CI:58.2-81.4), social loneliness 44.6% (95% CI: 33.1-56.6) and emotional loneliness 46.2% (95% CI: 34.5–58.1). Overall loneliness was associated with lower per-ceived quality of life (Odds Ratio-OR = 5.52, 95% CI:1.25-24.38) and NHswith state subsidized places (OR =0.19, 95% CI: .05-.74); social loneliness with having 0-1 children (OR = .25, 95% CI: .08-.77), and emotional lone-liness with depression (OR = 4.54, 95% CI: 1.28-16.08) and urinary incon-tinence (UI) (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 1.23-17.52). Loneliness was present in almost 71% of residents and was associated with type of NH and poorer quality of life, the emotional with depression and UI and the social one with having less than 2 children.(AU)

Social virtual reality helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and social anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Evidence shows that the Covid-19 pandemic caused increased loneliness, anxiety and greater social isolation due to social distancing policies. Virtual reality (VR) provides users with an easy way to become engaged in social activities without leaving the house. This study focused on adults, who were socialising in Altspace VR, a social VR platform, during the Covid-19 pandemic and it explored whether social VR could alleviate feelings of loneliness and social anxiety. A mixed-methods research design was applied. Participants (n = 74), aged 18-75, completed a questionnaire inside the social VR platform to measure levels of loneliness (UCLA 20-item scale) and social anxiety (17-item SPIN scale) in the social VR platform (online condition) and real world (offline condition). Subsequently, a focus group (n = 9) was conducted to gather insights into how and why participants were using the social VR platform. Findings from the questionnaire revealed significantly lower levels of loneliness and social anxiety when in the social VR platform. Lower levels of loneliness and social anxiety were also associated with participants who socialised with a regular group of friends. In addition, findings from the focus group suggested that being part of an online group facilitates stronger feelings of belonging. Social VR can be used as a valuable intervention to reduce feelings of loneliness and social anxiety. Future studies should continue to establish whether social VR can help to encourage group formation and provide people with enhanced social opportunities beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social connection and mortality in UK Biobank: a prospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Components of social connection are associated with mortality, but research examining their independent and combined effects in the same dataset is lacking. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined associations between functional and structural components of social connection and mortality. METHODS: Analysis of 458,146 participants with full data from the UK Biobank cohort linked to mortality registers. Social connection was assessed using two functional (frequency of ability to confide in someone close and often feeling lonely) and three structural (frequency of friends/family visits, weekly group activities, and living alone) component measures. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the associations with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. RESULTS: Over a median of 12.6 years (IQR 11.9-13.3) follow-up, 33,135 (7.2%) participants died, including 5112 (1.1%) CVD deaths. All social connection measures were independently associated with both outcomes. Friends/family visit frequencies < monthly were associated with a higher risk of mortality indicating a threshold effect. There were interactions between living alone and friends/family visits and between living alone and weekly group activity. For example, compared with daily friends/family visits-not living alone, there was higher all-cause mortality for daily visits-living alone (HR 1.19 [95% CI 1.12-1.26]), for never having visits-not living alone (1.33 [1.22-1.46]), and for never having visits-living alone (1.77 [1.61-1.95]). Never having friends/family visits whilst living alone potentially counteracted benefits from other components as mortality risks were highest for those reporting both never having visits and living alone regardless of weekly group activity or functional components. When all measures were combined into overall functional and structural components, there was an interaction between components: compared with participants defined as not isolated by both components, those considered isolated by both components had higher CVD mortality (HR 1.63 [1.51-1.76]) than each component alone (functional isolation 1.17 [1.06-1.29]; structural isolation 1.27 [1.18-1.36]). CONCLUSIONS: This work suggests (1) a potential threshold effect for friends/family visits, (2) that those who live alone with additional concurrent markers of structural isolation may represent a high-risk population, (3) that beneficial associations for some types of social connection might not be felt when other types of social connection are absent, and (4) considering both functional and structural components of social connection may help to identify the most isolated in society.

Adverse childhood experiences: impacts on adult mental health and social withdrawal.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been found to negatively impact adult mental health outcomes. Numerous studies have highlighted on ACEs in family and community settings. However, few have examined the impact of ACEs in school settings, despite the potential influence on social participation. Hikikomori, characterized by severe social withdrawal, was first studied in Japan and has gained recognition in recent years. The present study aims to present the concept of ACEs specific to schools and investigate the impact of both school ACEs and traditional ACEs on adult mental health and Hikikomori. Methods: A total of 4,000 Japanese adults, aged 20-34, were recruited through an Internet survey form. All data were obtained in October 2021. Participants answered questions regarding their ACEs in the family (10 items), school ACEs (five teacher-related items and two bullying-related items), depressive/anxiety symptoms, and Hikikomori (remaining at home for more than 6 months). Results: A significant association with depressive/anxiety symptoms was shown in both ACEs and school ACEs. An increase of one point in the ACE scores was associated with a 24% increase in the risk of depressive/anxiety symptoms. School ACE scores also demonstrated a significant association with depressive/anxiety symptoms, with an increase of one point associated with a 44% increase in the risk of these symptoms. As for Hikikomori, a significant association was shown in the school ACEs only: a 29% increased risk of Hikikomori for every one-point increase in school ACE scores. Both school ACE scores for teacher-related and bullying-related factors revealed a significant association with Hikikomori; the rates of increased risk were 23 and 37%, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that school ACEs, rather than ACEs in the family, are associated with the risk of Hikikomori. School ACEs are important for social adaptation, and reducing traumatic experiences in school settings may have the potential to prevent problems in later life, specifically in terms of social participation.

Untangling the Complex Interplay between Social Isolation, Anorexia, Sarcopenia, and Mortality: Insights from a Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation is a pervasive and debilitating condition that has adverse prognostic impacts. This condition often co-occurs with other geriatric syndromes, further exacerbating negative health outcomes. Given these considerations, the present study aims to elucidate the roles of social isolation in older adults with anorexia of aging and/or sarcopenia with respect to long-term mortality using a nationally representative cohort study. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA), with a sample size of 3,762 study participants aged 50 years and older. Data from 1999 (wave 4) to 2015 (wave 9) were analyzed. The TLSA questionnaire was used to define social isolation, anorexia, and sarcopenia. Logistic regressions were employed to explore the associations between social isolation, anorexia, and sarcopenia. The Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to examine the synergistic effects of social isolation and anorexia or sarcopenia on 16-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic information and comorbidities, older adults with social isolation were significantly associated with anorexia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.46 [95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.12, p=0.0475]) and sarcopenia (aOR 1.35 [95% CI: 1.12-1.64, p=0.0021]). Furthermore, the synergistic effects of social isolation with anorexia (aOR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.25-2.18, p=0.0004]) or sarcopenia (aOR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.42-1.92, p<0.0001]) were both significantly associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality, while social isolation alone revealed borderline statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that social isolation is closely linked to anorexia and sarcopenia among middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, social isolation significantly exacerbates the long-term mortality risk associated with anorexia of aging and sarcopenia. However, social isolation alone appears to have borderline long-term mortality risk in this cohort. These findings underscore the importance of addressing social isolation in older adults with anorexia and/or sarcopenia to optimize their health outcomes and mitigate long-term mortality risk.

Depression among older adults in an urban slum of Raipur city - a community based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults are at risk of chronic, silent depressive changes and the vulnerability of older adults in urban slums of India is rarely exposed. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression among the older adults in the urban slums of India and to study the factors associated with it. METHODS: This was a community based analytical cross-sectional study conducted in Urban Field Practice Area of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chhattisgarh, India among older adults more than or equal to 60 years of age selected using two stage, simple random sampling. The data was collected in a sample of 400 older adults by face-to-face interview using self-designed, semi-structured and pretested proforma that included validated Hindi version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and analyzed using SPSS v23. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression among older adults was 51.5% in the present study; with 27%, 12.8% and 11.8% having mild, moderate and severe depression respectively. Number of family members, living status of spouse, emotional attachment to family members, conflict in family, loneliness, social isolation, marginal friendship ties, functional status, physical exercise, active complains and diastolic BP were independent predictors of depression in older adults. CONCLUSION: Early identification of depression in older adults using GDS-15 and incorporation of social isolation and functionality assessment routinely by healthcare providers for all older adults attending the outpatient departments is the need of the hour. A holistic approach to care of older adults is vital as healthcare providers seek to understand the impact of multiple, complex, interconnected factors on overall health and well-being of older adults.

Social-ecological factors influencing loneliness and social isolation in older people: a scoping review.

There are growing calls from researchers and policy makers to redefine loneliness and social isolation (SI) as public health issues, and to move towards a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach, due to their association with significant health risks, particularly in older people. Research about loneliness and SI in older people has typically adopted a narrow focus, evaluating effects of individual and inter-personal factors on these experiences. Less is known about the community and societal influences that may be used to inform public health interventions. We conducted a scoping review applying Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the social-ecological model framework in order to: i) identify the available evidence for the influence of the community and societal factors on loneliness and SI as experienced by older people; ii) examine how quantitative research about community- and societal-level factors of loneliness and SI in the older population is conducted; and iii) identify current knowledge gaps in relation to the use of the social-ecological model in this area. A total of 52 articles from 30 countries met the inclusion criteria, including 33 observational studies, primarily cross-sectional (88%), and 19 interventions, mostly (89%) pre-post evaluations. The majority of included articles measured loneliness only (n = 34, 65%), while 11 measured both loneliness and SI (21%). To measure these outcomes validated scales were frequently used. Eighteen community/societal factors were investigated in relation to loneliness and/or SI, most commonly neighbourhood safety, access to public third-places and cultural practices. Three societal-level interventions were found: two campaigns to reduce ageism and one which explored the impact of free public transport. Community-based interventions were either educational or enlisted volunteers to foster connections. There is a need for longitudinal studies to better understand the mechanisms through which community- and societal- level factors affect loneliness and SI, which in turn will guide interventions that utilise the social-ecological framework for these issues.

Association between social isolation and loneliness with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional internet survey.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between social isolation and loneliness, increasingly recognised but neglected social determinants of health, with being unvaccinated against COVID-19. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A representative cohort of 22 756 individuals (aged 15-81 years) from the general Japanese population who responded to both the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey 2021 and Japan Society and New Tobacco Internet Survey 2022. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We calculated the ORs of remaining unvaccinated against COVID-19 in 2022, attributable to social isolation as assessed by the Lubben Social Network Scale, or loneliness as evaluated by the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale version 3. Reasons for abstaining from vaccination were solicited from the unvaccinated respondents. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted with adjustments for demographic variables. Propensity score-matched comparisons were conducted as part of the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Individuals with social isolation were more likely to be unvaccinated (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.60), while individuals with loneliness were not (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.05). Socially isolated individuals were significantly less likely to receive information from people who had been vaccinated (11% vs 15%) and less likely not to trust the vaccine approval process (19% vs 27%) compared with those who were not socially isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not harbouring negative perceptions of the vaccine, socially isolated individuals exhibited lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination. Socially isolated individuals are important targets to reach to increase the number of vaccinated individuals.

Understanding evidence and provision of services around social isolation and loneliness of military widow/ers: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Whilst the uniqueness of loneliness and social isolation is now recognised for members of the Armed Forces Community, there is currently a lack of evidence examining these experiences within the Military Widow/er population. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to search and synthesise the current evidence base exploring experiences of loneliness and social isolation in this community. METHOD: Six databases were searched; ASSIA; CINAHL; ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global; PsycArticles; Medline; Web of Science. Any article type was included if they focused on UK or international Military Widows and loneliness and social isolation. In the absence of loneliness and social isolation, related aspects were included, for example, social support. RESULTS: A thematic synthesis was completed on the nine eligible papers, where key findings were coded and generated into four themes; Experiences of Loneliness and Social Isolation, The Uniqueness of the Military, Access to Social Support, and The Importance of Peer Support. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports the need for military-specific support services with peers who recognise the individuals' unique experiences of loneliness and social isolation. None of the available evidence focused specifically on social isolation, however this was often prevalent in the results. All of the studies were carried out in the USA and Israel, with none including the views of widowers. Further evidence is required, particularly relating to a UK-context.

In silico and in vivo analysis of the relationship between ADHD and social isolation in pups rat model: Implication of redox mechanisms, and the neuroprotective impact of Punicalagin.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has high incidence rate among children which may be due to excessive monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption and social isolation (SI). AIM: We aimed to explore the relationships between MSG, SI, and ADHD development and to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of Punicalagin (PUN). METHODS: Eighty male rat pups randomly distributed into eight groups. Group I is the control, and Group II is socially engaged rats treated with PUN. Groups III to VII were exposed to ADHD-inducing factors: Group III to SI, Group IV to MSG, and Group V to both SI and MSG. Furthermore, Groups VI to VIII were the same Groups III to V but additionally received PUN treatment. KEY FINDINGS: Exposure to MSG and/or SI led to pronounced behavioral anomalies, histological changes and indicative of ADHD-like symptoms in rat pups which is accompanied by inhibition of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/Glutathione (GSH) pathway, decline of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)/NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway. This resulted in elevated inflammatory biomarker levels, neuronal apoptosis, and disrupted neurotransmitter equilibrium. Meanwhile, pretreatment with PUN protected against all the previous alterations. SIGNIFICANCE: We established compelling associations between MSG consumption, SI, and ADHD progression. Moreover, we proved that PUN is a promising neuroprotective agent against all risk factors of ADHD.

Better together: isolation impedes memory formation for configural learning in Lymnaea stagnalis.

Social interactions play an important role in learning and memory. There is great variability in the literature regarding the effects of social isolation on cognition. Here, we investigated how memory formation was affected when Lymnaea stagnalis, our model system, were socially isolated at three different time periods: before, during or after the configural learning training procedure. Each group of snails underwent configural learning where we recorded and compared their feeding behaviour before and after the pairing of an appetitive food stimulus with predator kairomones (i.e. the training procedure). We found that isolating snails before the training procedure had no effect on their learning and memory. However, when snails were isolated either during the training procedure or immediately after the training procedure, they no longer formed memory. These data provide further insight into how isolation impacts cognitive functioning in the context of higher-order learning.

Life-course transitions and exclusion from social relations in the lives of older men and women.

There is increasing interest across European contexts in promoting active social lives in older age, and counteracting pathways and outcomes related to social isolation and loneliness for men and women in later life. This is evidenced within national and European level policy, including the 2021 Green Paper on Ageing and its concern with understanding how risks can accrue for European ageing populations in the relational sphere. Research indicates that life-course transitions can function as a source of these risks, leading to a range of potentially exclusionary impacts for the social relations of older men and women. Findings presented in this paper are drawn from the qualitative component of a larger European mixed-methods study on exclusion from social relations (GENPATH: A life course perspective on the GENdered PATHways of social exclusion in later life, and its consequences for health and well-being). We use data from 119 in-depth interviews from four jurisdictions: Austria, Czechia, Ireland and Spain. This research employed an approach that focused on capturing lived experienced insights related to relational change across the life course, the implications of these changes for multifaceted forms of exclusion from social relations and the role of gender in patterning these changes and implications. We focused on transitions that commonly emerged across those jurisdictions for older people: onset of ill-health, bereavement, retirement and relocation. We found that these transitions translate into multidimensional experiences of exclusion from social relations in the lives of older men and women by constraining their social networks, support networks, social opportunities and intimate relationships.