An experimental study of social isolation of elderly people: Psychoendocrine and metabolic effects
Abstract
Psychoendocrine and metabolic effects of social isolation and understimulation in real life were examined in a controlled study of 60 elderly people representative of their age group. Together with the staff and the elderly, a social activation program was formed at a senior citizen apartment building. Half of the elderly were part of this activation program (experimental group). The other half constituted the control group. Blood sampling and psychosocial testing were performed immediately before and after 3 and 6 months of social activation. Social activation increased threefold in the experimental group. Height decreased in the control group compared to the experimental subjects. Plasma levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and estradiol increased significantly in the experimental group over the 6-month period compared to the control group. The most pronounced increase took place during the initial 3 months. Hemoglobin A1c decreased significantly in the experimental group over the 6-month period compared to the control group. In this preliminary study it is concluded that social isolation and understimulation may be associated with a wide range of psychophysiologic effects in elderly people.
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Research indicates that indices of social connectedness are modifiable among older adults using social interventions, including group psychotherapy, art/recreational therapy, and peer support.
“Research indicates that indices of social connectedness are modifiable among older adults using social interventions, including group psychotherapy [83], art/recreational therapy [84,85,86,87], and peer support [88].”
From A systematic review of social factors and suicidal behavior in older adulthood (2012) · cites this paper as [85]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Arnetz, B. B., Theorell, T., Levi, L., Kallner, A., & Eneroth, P.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Venue
- Psychosomatic Medicine
- Published
- 1983-10
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 395-406
- ISSN
- 0033-3174 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2327483418
- Cited by
- 140
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 0.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychosomatic Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- social isolation, older adults, social activation, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, HbA1c, metabolic effects, psychosocial interventions
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Blood Glucose, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Electrolytes, Estradiol, Female, Hormones, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Lipids, Male, Middle Aged, Prolactin, Social Environment, Social Isolation, Growth Hormone, Testosterone
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