Date

4-26-2024

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rachel Piferi

Keywords

social isolation, older adults, geographic location

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Population aging is a worldwide trend linked to scientific developments such as vaccinations and medical advancements, including improvements in cancer treatment and a lower fertility rate than experienced by previous generations. This phenomenon is poised to instigate one of the biggest social revolutions of the twenty-first century. The consequences of an aging population affect housing, transportation, labor markets, and the demand for goods and services. It also influences interpersonal relationships, including family structures and friendships. This upward drift of improved longevity increases the possibility of developing physical and psychological ailments that can contribute to lifestyle changes and subsequently increase the probability of social isolation. Social isolation has similar adverse effects to loneliness, and the two constructs have often been studied in correlations. However, the parameters have been identified as separate, and this study explores social isolation apart from loneliness. Extensive reports have examined the effects of social isolation in association with gender, culture, and lifestyle choices, but little research is available on the impact of physical location. This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experience of social isolation in older adults through the lens of geographic location. The experience of social isolation is compared between rural, suburban, and urban locations. The findings suggest that geographic area may have little to do with social isolation measured in quantitative values. However, there are significant differences between themes that present themselves when discussing the lived experience and a person's relationship with their geographic location.

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