School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, USA.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2022 May 5;77(5):919-929. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab078.
The aim of this study was to determine substance use among older adults based upon their social isolation and loneliness profiles.
Data were derived from the New Jersey Older Adult Survey on Drug Use and Health. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to determine the profiles of older adults (N = 801) based on 5 dimensions of social isolation and loneliness. Logistic and generalized ordered logistic regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between the latent profiles and substance use.
LPA identified 5 social isolation/loneliness profiles. The "connected and active" group had the lowest odds of cigarette use. The "alone but not lonely" group had the highest odds of cigarette use, alcohol use, and high-risk drinking. The "alone and lonely" group had the highest odds of nonmedical drug use.
In working with older adults who are using substances, it is important to inquire about their social isolation and loneliness. Cognitive behavioral therapy for the "alone and lonely" group may be beneficial, as it has been deemed effective in reducing loneliness and enhancing social networks.
本研究旨在根据老年人的社会隔离和孤独程度来确定其物质使用情况。
数据来自新泽西州老年药物使用和健康调查。采用潜在剖面分析（LPA），根据社会隔离和孤独的 5 个维度确定老年人（N=801）的特征。采用逻辑回归和广义有序逻辑回归来评估潜在剖面与物质使用之间的关系。
LPA 确定了 5 种社会隔离/孤独特征。“联系紧密且活跃”组吸烟的可能性最低。“孤独但不寂寞”组吸烟、饮酒和高危饮酒的可能性最高。“孤独且寂寞”组非医疗用药的可能性最高。
在与使用物质的老年人合作时，询问他们的社会隔离和孤独程度非常重要。针对“孤独且寂寞”组的认知行为疗法可能是有益的，因为它已被证明能有效减少孤独感并增强社交网络。
