Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mehmet Kanbay, Cem Tanriover, Sidar Copur, Ibrahim B. B. Peltek, Ali Mutlu, Francesca Mallamaci, Carmine Zoccali
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness are often overlooked conditions that have a negative impact on quality of life, overall health, and mortality. This review discusses the health consequences of these conditions, including potential causes, pathophysiological processes, associations with non-communicable diseases, and effects on health-related behaviors. It also explores current and novel management strategies. Healthcare professionals should be knowledgeable about social isolation and loneliness, thoroughly assess patients, and provide education and treatment options through shared decision-making. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and improve treatment strategies for these conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Rosanne Freak-Poli, Joanne Ryan, Johannes T. Neumann, Andrew Tonkin, Christopher M. Reid, Robyn L. Woods, Mark Nelson, Nigel Stocks, Michael Berk, John J. McNeil, Carlene Britt, Alice J. Owen
Summary: Poor social health is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with social isolation and low social support being more important predictors than loneliness in healthy older adults. The study suggests that different social health domains should be considered in future cardiovascular risk prediction models.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nine E. Wolters, Lynn Mobach, Viviana M. Wuthrich, Peter Vonk, Claudia M. Van der Heijde, Reinout W. Wiers, Ronald M. Rapee, Anke M. Klein
Summary: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety. Social loneliness is mainly explained by social isolation, while emotional loneliness is most strongly explained by social anxiety and depression. General anxiety is related to loneliness through depression.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale, Htet Lin Htun, Jessie Hu, Lachlan L. Dalli, Michelle H. Lim, Barbara Barbosa Neves, J. R. Baker, Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo, Christopher M. Reid, Joanne Ryan, Alice J. Owen, Sharyn M. Fitzgerald, Rosanne Freak-Poli
Summary: Social health is closely related to cardiovascular disease, potentially mediated through its shared risk factors. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between social health and cardiovascular disease are poorly understood. Further research is needed to determine whether targeting certain social health constructs may directly improve cardiovascular disease risk factors.
ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Anna Schulze, Miriam Biermann, Konstantina Atanasova, Franziska Unterseher, Louisa Winkler, Martin Bohus, Stefanie Lis
Summary: Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often experience a lack of social belongingness and fear of exclusion. This study explores the relationship between social touch, social connectedness, and the burden of physical distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that BPD individuals have less liking and importance of social touch, which is associated with higher levels of loneliness. However, both BPD and healthy individuals report similar levels of burden through physical distancing.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jana Lieberz, Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory, Nira Saporta, Timo Esser, Ekaterina Kuskova, Birgit Stoffel-Wagner, Rene Hurlemann, Dirk Scheele
Summary: Loneliness is associated with decreased trust, larger social distances, and lower trustworthiness. Lonely individuals show reduced limbic and striatal activation, as well as weakened functional connectivity between the anterior insula and occipitoparietal regions during initial trust decisions.
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
June J. Pilcher, Logan L. Dorsey, Samantha M. Galloway, Dylan N. Erikson
Summary: This article provides a review of the relationship between social isolation and sleep, examining the impact of COVID-19 quarantines on sleep and sleep habits. The findings suggest that sleep was negatively impacted during the pandemic, although younger individuals were able to adapt their sleep patterns more easily. Understanding the effects of social isolation on sleep is crucial for individuals, work organizations, and governments.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Aparna Das, Kalpana P. Padala, Christina G. Crawford, Alan Teo, Diana M. Mendez, Olive A. Phillips, Benjamin C. Wright, Samuel House, Prasad R. Padala
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social isolation and loneliness, with the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale being the most commonly used in research studies on these constructs in the past two decades.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Crystal W. Cene, Theresa M. Beckie, Mario Sims, Shakira F. Suglia, Brooke Aggarwal, Nathalie Moise, Monik C. Jimenez, Bamba Gaye, Louise D. McCullough
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with worse cardiovascular and brain health outcomes, particularly coronary heart disease and stroke mortality. However, more research is needed to understand the associations with heart failure, dementia, and cognitive impairment, as well as the underlying mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Robert Fox, Joanna McHugh Power, Andrew N. Coogan, Aartjan T. F. Beekman, Theo G. van Tilburg, Philip Hyland
Summary: Loneliness has a detrimental impact on mental health in later life and may have a bidirectional relationship with psychopathology. This study examines the longitudinal association between different types of loneliness (social and emotional) and posttraumatic stress symptoms among older adults. The results suggest a small but significant increase in posttraumatic stress symptoms and emotional loneliness over time, highlighting the importance of addressing loneliness in the context of mental health in older adults.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xuan Wang, Hao Ma, Xiang Li, Yoriko Heianza, Vivian Fonseca, Lu Qi
Summary: This study aims to investigate the prospective associations between loneliness and social isolation scales with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in diabetes patients and compare their relative importance with traditional risk factors. The results show that loneliness, but not social isolation, is associated with a higher risk of CVD and has an additive interaction with the degree of risk factor control.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Joan Vicent Sanchez-Orti, Vicent Balanza-Martinez, Patricia Correa-Ghisays, Gabriel Selva-Vera, Joan Vila-Frances, Rafael Magdalena-Benedito, Constanza San-Martin, Victor M. Victor, Irene Escribano-Lopez, Antonio Hernandez-Mijares, Juliana Vivas-Lalinde, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro, Rafael Tabares-Seisdedos
Summary: Obesity and metabolic diseases are more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome components are associated with cognitive impairment and functional impairments. TG and FPG show the strongest associations with neurocognitive and social functioning.
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Chenxi Zhou, Fan Wu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) among older adults in China. Loneliness is positively associated with incident MCR among female older adults in China, while social isolation is not significantly associated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Haifen Liao, Ping Fan, Hengfang Ruan, Ni Gong, Wei Qiu, Yiheng Zhang, Xinxin Li, Huijuan Li, Meifen Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the experience of social isolation in patients with NMOSD and found that social isolation is mainly influenced by physiological, cognitive-psychological, and environmental factors, impacting patients physically, psychologically, and in family-society aspects. Comprehensive interventions should be carried out based on these multidimensional influencing factors.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Sara J. Czaja, Jerad H. Moxley, Wendy A. Rogers
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health issues associated with negative health outcomes among older adults. The relationships among social network size, social support, social isolation, and loneliness are complex and have significant impacts on the wellbeing of older populations. Future interventions should focus on promoting social connectivity, especially for older adults with smaller social networks and greater physical impairments.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alan E. Kazdin, Chi-Shin Wu, Irving Hwang, Victor Puac-Polanco, Nancy A. Sampson, Ali Al-Hamzawi, Jordi Alonso, Laura Helena Andrade, Corina Benjet, Jose-Miguel Caldas-de-Almeida, Giovanni de Girolamo, Peter de Jonge, Silvia Florescu, Oye Gureje, Josep M. Haro, Meredith G. Harris, Elie G. Karam, Georges Karam, Viviane Kovess-Masfety, Sing Lee, John J. McGrath, Fernando Navarro-Mateu, Daisuke Nishi, Bibilola D. Oladeji, Jose Posada-Villa, Dan J. Stein, T. Bedirhan Ustun, Daniel V. Vigo, Zahari Zarkov, Alan M. Zaslavsky, Ronald C. Kessler
Summary: Antidepressant medications (ADMs) are widely used for a variety of conditions, not only depression and anxiety. The usage rate of ADMs is higher in high-income countries compared to low- and middle-income countries, and newer ADMs are more frequently used in high-income countries. Among users, 58.8% perceive ADMs to be very effective and 28.3% perceive them to be somewhat effective, with these proportions being higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Rebecca J. Bennett, Elise Cumming-Potvin, Robert H. Eikelboom, Vinaya Manchiah, Johanna C. Badcock, De Wet Swanepoel
Summary: This study explored the changes in self-reported mental well-being (anxiety, depression, and loneliness) in audiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that levels of depression decreased, anxiety levels remained low, and loneliness levels remained high. Younger audiologists had lower levels of mental well-being. Clear guidelines on COVID-19 workplace restrictions, workplace flexibility, and mental health support through employee assistance programs can help support audiologists during this pandemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Maria K. Christensen, John J. McGrath, Natalie Momen, Nanna Weye, Esben Agerbo, Carsten Bocker Pedersen, Oleguer Plana-Ripoll, Kim M. Iburg
Summary: The aim of this study was to estimate the annual healthcare cost for individuals with a mental disorder who also have comorbid mental and somatic disorders. The study found that the annual healthcare cost per case was higher for individuals with a greater number of comorbid mental and somatic disorders, but the nationwide annual cost was lower.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Margarita Panayiotou, Johanna C. Badcock, Michelle H. Lim, Michael J. Banissy, Pamela Qualter
Summary: This study examined the age measurement invariance of loneliness measures and found that many of the tested measures had poor or inconsistent structures. Although some structures achieved measurement invariance, it cannot be assumed that all loneliness measures have age measurement invariance.
Article
Psychiatry
India Kelsall-Foreman, Romola S. Bucks, Michael Weinborn, Johanna C. Badcock
Summary: This study examined the relationships between loneliness, social isolation, and anomalous perceptions in community-dwelling older adults. The findings showed that higher levels of loneliness were associated with more anomalous body-centred self-experiences and anomalous external experiences. The results also indicated that social disconnection from a religious group and being married/living with a partner were related to different types of anomalous perceptions.
COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Xiaoqin Liu, Oleguer Plana-Ripoll, John J. McGrath, Liselotte V. Petersen, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Natalie C. Momen
Summary: This population-based cohort study aimed to estimate the bidirectional associations between asthma and 10 broad types of mental disorders. The results showed bidirectional associations between asthma and various mental disorders, suggesting possible shared etiological factors or pathophysiologic processes.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Ole Kohler-Forsberg, Sussie Antonsen, Carsten B. Pedersen, Preben Bo Mortensen, John J. McGrath, Ole Mors
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the incidence rates of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and the diagnostic transition between these disorders over time. The study found that the incidence rates of schizophrenia remained stable, while the rates for schizoaffective disorder decreased and the rates for schizotypal disorder increased. Most patients experienced early diagnostic stability, but a substantial proportion of individuals initially diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were subsequently diagnosed with schizotypal disorder.
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Y. R. Feng, G. M. Valuri, Vera A. Morgan, D. B. Preen, Colleen M. O'Leary, E. Crampin, A. Waterreus
Summary: Engagement with secondary mental health services following emergency department presentation for suicidal behaviors is crucial for reducing the risk of repeat attempts. A systematic review of studies between 2000 and 2020 found that, on average, 44.8% of young people were referred and 33.7% had contact with secondary mental health services within 4 weeks of discharge. In comparison, in adult/all ages studies, the percentages were 27.1% and 26.2% respectively. Limited data on older adults showed contact proportions ranging from 49.0% to 86.0%.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
A. Waterreus, P. Di Prinzio, T. Ambrosi, Vera A. Morgan
Summary: For people with psychotic disorders, discontinuing cannabis use may lead to improved clinical outcomes. In a 3-5-year longitudinal study on 371 individuals, those who discontinued cannabis after baseline assessment showed lower odds of hallucinations and improved functioning compared to continuing users. There were no significant differences in severity of negative symptoms. This study fills gaps in the evidence-base regarding the symptomatic and functional outcomes for individuals with established psychotic disorders who continue or discontinue cannabis use.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clara Albinana, Zhihong Zhu, Andrew J. Schork, Andres Ingason, Hugues Aschard, Isabell Brikell, Cynthia M. Bulik, Liselotte V. Petersen, Esben Agerbo, Jakob Grove, Merete Nordentoft, David M. Hougaard, Thomas Werge, Anders D. Borglum, Preben Bo Mortensen, John J. McGrath, Benjamin M. Neale, Florian Prive, Bjarni J. Vilhjalmsson
Summary: The authors have developed a multi-polygenic score framework that increases prediction accuracy for complex diseases and traits. This framework leverages a large library of polygenic scores and is well-suited for emerging biobank data. By utilizing genetically correlated phenotypes, the sample size can be effectively increased without the need for costly and time-consuming collection of additional samples.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emil M. Pedersen, Esben Agerbo, Oleguer Plana-Ripoll, Jette Steinbach, Morten D. Krebs, David M. Hougaard, Thomas Werge, Merete Nordentoft, Anders D. Borglum, Katherine L. Musliner, Andrea Ganna, Andrew J. Schork, Preben B. Mortensen, John J. Mcgrath, Florian Prive, Bjarni J. Vilhjalmsson
Summary: The authors propose a computationally efficient time-to-event model, called ADuLT, for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to analyze genetic associations. Simulation results demonstrate that the ADuLT model outperforms Cox regression GWAS and standard case-control GWAS in the presence of ascertainment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Oleguer Plana-Ripoll, Nanna Weye, Ann Kristin Knudsen, Christian Hakulinen, Kathrine Bang Madsen, Maria Klitgaard Christensen, Esben Agerbo, Thomas Munk Laursen, Merete Nordentoft, Allan Timmermann, Harvey Whiteford, Simon overland, Kim Moesgaard, John McGrath
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the association between different types of mental disorders and working years lost. The findings highlight the substantial impact of mental disorders on workforce participation, emphasizing the need to invest in programs that reduce the burden of lost working years and assist individuals with mental disorders in returning to the workforce.
Article
Psychiatry
Philip J. Batterham, Aliza Werner-Seidler, Bridianne O'Dea, Alison L. Calear, Kate Maston, Andrew Mackinnon, Helen Christensen
Summary: Screening for psychological distress in adolescents is important, and the Distress Questionnaire-5 (DQ5) is a reliable measure for this purpose. The study found that DQ5 had good fit to a unidimensional construct, strong criterion and predictive validity, and sensitivity to change. The brevity and ease of interpretation of DQ5 make it suitable for screening in schools.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaotong Wang, Valentin Hivert, Shiane Groot, Ying Wang, Loic Yengo, John J. McGrath, Kathryn E. Kemper, Peter M. Visscher, Naomi R. Wray, Joana A. Revez
Summary: The study investigates the complex relationship between vitamin D levels, skin colour, and ancestral background, and identifies new genetic determinants of vitamin D levels. The findings suggest shared genetic mechanisms underlying the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D across diverse ancestry groups. Additionally, the study reveals genetic variants that influence both skin colour and vitamin D levels, with variants showing different effects in individuals with different complexions.
Review
Psychiatry
John J. Mcgrath, Carmen C. W. Lim, Sukanta Saha
Summary: The study found an association between broadly defined cat ownership and an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders. The unadjusted analysis showed an odds ratio of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.38-4.01), while the adjusted analysis showed an odds ratio of 2.24 (95% CI: 1.61-3.12). The estimates for PLE outcomes could not be aggregated due to the wide range of measures.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2023)