Health and Well-Being among Older Adults: Current Trends and Future Challenges

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing in Lisbon (ESEL), 1600-190 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: gerontogeriatrics; technological development; aging

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: psychometrics; quality of life; aging

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3000-232 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: psychometrics; functional capacity; aging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the global population continues to age, the complexities surrounding the health and well-being of older adults become increasingly significant. This Special Issue of the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education explores the physical, mental, cultural, and social dimensions of health among older adults, aiming to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse in gerontogeriatrics and related fields.

Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and opinion pieces that align with the themes of this Special Issue. We particularly welcome studies that explore the topic in light of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More specifically, authors should consider submitting articles on the following topics:

  • Physical Resilience and Aging: exploring the physiological changes associated with aging and their impact on overall health and longevity.
  • Mental Health in Later Life: focusing on cognitive health, psychological resilience, and interventions that support positive mental health outcomes in aging populations.
  • Social and Cultural Connectedness: exploring the role of social relationships, community engagement, and support networks in promoting the overall well-being of older adults.
  • Healthcare Innovations for Aging Populations: studying the advancements in healthcare technologies, interventions, and policies that address the unique health needs of older adults.
  • Cultural and Ethical Perspectives on Aging: focusing on the various viewpoints regarding cultural, societal, and ethical considerations associated with aging.

Best regards,

Dr. Paulo Santos-Costa
Dr. Manuela Vilar
Dr. Liliana B. Sousa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • older adults
  • aging
  • mental health
  • social connectedness
  • healthcare innovation

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
Association between Levels of Loneliness, Laboratory Measurements, and Behavioral Aspects in a Primary Care Setting in Crete, Greece
by Panagiotis Volkos, Manolis Linardakis, Panagiotis Stachteas, Foteini Anastasiou, Athina Tatsioni, Marilena Kampa and Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(4), 1055-1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14040069 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 524
Abstract
This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged [...] Read more.
This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years. Routine laboratory test results upon study initiation and six months before were used. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Loneliness Scale (Version 3), blood glucose, serum lipids, Fibrosis-4 index, and Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) were assessed through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Based on full model (3rd) analysis, those who were engaged in an individual sport or activity or had contacts with more friends presented significantly lower odds for increased loneliness levels (odds ratio (OR): 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.91], p = 0.034 and OR: 0.76 [95%CI 0.66–0.88], p < 0.001, respectively). The consumption of alcohol was associated with increased loneliness (OR: 5.55 [95%CI 1.42–21.63], p = 0.014). Elevated triglyceride levels were linked with moderate or no loneliness (OR: 0.20 [95%CI 0.05–0.83], p = 0.026), while an increased LDL/HDL atherosclerotic index was related to increased subjective loneliness (OR: 4.50 [95%CI 1.12–18.13], p = 0.035). The need for holistic approaches—involving primary care personnel—in understanding and addressing loneliness, recognizing its multifaceted nature as well as the diverse factors that contribute to this issue, is considered challenging. Full article

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Insomnia in the elderly: prevalence, causes, consequences and adapted treatment.
Authors: M. Lancel; E. Meijer; G.J. Boersma:
Affiliation: Centre of Expertise on Sleep and Psychiatry, GGZ Drenthe Mental Health Institute Assen, Netherlands, Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Netherlands
Abstract: Sleep is essential for optimal physical, mental and cognitive functioning and lack of sleep adversely affects quality of life and longevity. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder with prevalence rates in the general population between 6%-10%. Older adults are more vulnerable to insomnia and their prevalence rate ranges between 12%-20%. Non-pathological sleep changes across the lifespan are normative but increase insomnia susceptibility. Furthermore, risk factors in the elderly population such as retirement-related lifestyle changes, comorbid physical and psychiatric diseases, polypharmacy and psychosocial changes contribute to the occurrence of insomnia. With this paper we aim to provide an overview of age-related sleep changes, prevalence of insomnia, possible underlying factors, consequences as well as methods for objective assessment of sleep in vulnerable, institutionalized older adults. Finally, tailored treatment options for insomnia in the elderly population will be discussed and illustrated with case descriptions.

Title: Psychological well-being in older adults: the crucial role of family dynamics and loneliness in Peruvian community contexts
Author: VELARDE-CAMAQUI
Highlights: - Family dynamics significantly influenced (54.2%) the psychological well-being of older adults. - 34% reported high levels of family violence, and 83% experienced moderate loneliness, highlighting the magnitude of the issue in this population. - 67% exhibited low to moderate levels of psychological well-being, emphasizing the vulnerability of this group in terms of mental health.

Back to TopTop