Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SHAPINGENERATIONS (How changing social contexts shape solidarity and adjustment between generations)
Reporting period: 2019-09-01 to 2021-08-31
What is the problem/issue being addressed?
In less than four decades more than one third of the population in Europe will be aged over 60 and one quarter will be older than 65. The increase in the number and
proportion of older people in the UK population aged 65 and over has grown by 47% since mid-1974 to make up nearly 18% of the total population in mid-2014, while the
number of people aged 75 and over has increased by 89% and now makes up 8% of the population. In the case of Portugal, the proportion aged 60-plus will be one of the
most highly aged EU countries by 2025.
Why is it important for society?
These unprecedent demographic changes, combined with changes in family structures, norms and behaviours along with the current economic crisis that is affecting particularly south Europe, pose significant challenges to individuals, families and societies and place solidarity – one of the most important family and social resources that influences wellbeing – and the need of adjustment between generations as a priority in European states.
What are the overall objectives?
The overall objectives of the project were to identify new measures of social inclusion and loneliness. The aim of the research was firstly to validate the Portuguese language version of the full and shortened versions of the Social Inclusion Scale in a sample of adults, by establishing its internal consistency, convergent validity and test-retest reliability. If the measure demonstrates its suitability for use in this population, this will add to the evidence base for the Social Inclusion Scale and contribute towards establishing a “gold-standard” measure of social inclusion.
In less than four decades more than one third of the population in Europe will be aged over 60 and one quarter will be older than 65. The increase in the number and
proportion of older people in the UK population aged 65 and over has grown by 47% since mid-1974 to make up nearly 18% of the total population in mid-2014, while the
number of people aged 75 and over has increased by 89% and now makes up 8% of the population. In the case of Portugal, the proportion aged 60-plus will be one of the
most highly aged EU countries by 2025.
Why is it important for society?
These unprecedent demographic changes, combined with changes in family structures, norms and behaviours along with the current economic crisis that is affecting particularly south Europe, pose significant challenges to individuals, families and societies and place solidarity – one of the most important family and social resources that influences wellbeing – and the need of adjustment between generations as a priority in European states.
What are the overall objectives?
The overall objectives of the project were to identify new measures of social inclusion and loneliness. The aim of the research was firstly to validate the Portuguese language version of the full and shortened versions of the Social Inclusion Scale in a sample of adults, by establishing its internal consistency, convergent validity and test-retest reliability. If the measure demonstrates its suitability for use in this population, this will add to the evidence base for the Social Inclusion Scale and contribute towards establishing a “gold-standard” measure of social inclusion.
The aim of this study was to obtain new empirical evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the Social Inclusion Scale (SIS) in a large sample of Portuguese old people and the validation of a Portuguese version of the UCLA-6 Loneliness Scale in a Adult Sample. The aim of this study was to present new empirical evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) among a Portuguese adult sample. The study included 1,255 individuals (55% women and 45% men), aged 40–80 (M = 65.96; SD = 9.98). The psychometric properties of the ULS-6 were analysed by means of confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and criterion-related validity methods. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure of the measure with adequate values of various fit indices.
The ULS-6 presented satisfactory psychometric properties, with a high level of internal consistency. Furthermore, the ULS-6 showed a negative relationship with hope, satisfaction with life, and positive affect; and a positive relationship with negative affect. The results confirm that the ULS-6 provides a brief, psychometrically sound measure of loneliness that is appropriate for use among Portuguese adults, including older adults.
The factor structure, the reliability, test-retest reliability and the criterion-related validity of the Social Inclusion Scale were studied. The Social Inclusion Scale assesses multiple aspects of social inclusion, including psychological aspects (such as a sense of belonging), social aspects (such as relationships with family and friends), occupational aspects (such as engagement with culture and leisure activities), and physical aspects (such as security with one’s living environment). The present research study aimed to validate the Social Inclusion Scale for the first time in a sample of old adults, by establishing its internal consistency, convergent validity and test-retest reliability for Portuguese language.
It was firstly hypothesised that the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole, its three subscales, and the 12-item short-form version would demonstrate high internal consistency. As expected, the Social Inclusion Scale as whole (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80) the Social Relations subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.71) and the short-form version (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75) demonstrated high internal consistency. The Social Isolation (0.65) and Social Acceptance (0.54) subscales, however, did not demonstrate acceptable internal consistency. The Social Acceptance subscale (which showed the lowest internal consistency) did demonstrate improved internal consistency (0.63) with one item deleted.
As expected the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole, its three subscales and the short-form version demonstrated high test-retest reliability. As expected the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole was significantly positively correlated with related constructs and the correlation coefficients were >0.70. Scores on the Social Acceptance SIS subscale and the short-form version of the Social Inclusion Scale were significantly correlated (in expected directions) with all measures. The results demonstrate that the Social Inclusion Scale as whole has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and acceptable convergent validity.
It is important to acknowledge some limitations of the present research study. Firstly, the sample is not nationally representative. One further limitation is that not all
participants who completed questionnaire pack 2 completed and returned it within 14 days. However, results remained unchanged with the nine participants who exceeded
the 14 days removed from the analysis.
In conclusion, the Social Inclusion Scale demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties in a sample of Portuguese adults. The establishment of the Social Inclusion Scale as a “gold-standard” measure of social inclusion is progressing. If the Social Inclusion Scale continues to be demonstrated as a reliable and valid measure, it will serve as a useful tool in outcome evaluation of intergenerational projects.
In the second part on loneliness the aim was to present new empirical evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) among
Portuguese adult sample. The study included 1,255 individuals (55% women and 45% men), aged 40–80 (M = 65.96; SD = 9.98). The psychometric properties of the ULS-6
were analysed by means of confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and criterion-related validity methods. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure of the measure with adequate values of various fit indices.
The ULS-6 presented satisfactory psychometric properties, with a high level of internal consistency. Furthermore, the ULS-6 showed a negative relationship with hope, satisfaction with life, and positive affect; and a positive relationship with negative affect. The results confirm that the ULS-6 provides a brief, psychometrically sound measure of loneliness that is appropriate for use among Portuguese adults, including older adults.
2 working papers finalised before the fellow left. The psychometric properties of two scales were examined for validation to the Portuguese population. “Validation of a Portuguese version of the Social Inclusion Scale in an Adult Sample” “Validation of a Portuguese version of the UCLA-6 Loneliness Scale in a Adult
Sample”. Both papers were prepared while at Oxford to be submitted to peer-review international Journals
The ULS-6 presented satisfactory psychometric properties, with a high level of internal consistency. Furthermore, the ULS-6 showed a negative relationship with hope, satisfaction with life, and positive affect; and a positive relationship with negative affect. The results confirm that the ULS-6 provides a brief, psychometrically sound measure of loneliness that is appropriate for use among Portuguese adults, including older adults.
The factor structure, the reliability, test-retest reliability and the criterion-related validity of the Social Inclusion Scale were studied. The Social Inclusion Scale assesses multiple aspects of social inclusion, including psychological aspects (such as a sense of belonging), social aspects (such as relationships with family and friends), occupational aspects (such as engagement with culture and leisure activities), and physical aspects (such as security with one’s living environment). The present research study aimed to validate the Social Inclusion Scale for the first time in a sample of old adults, by establishing its internal consistency, convergent validity and test-retest reliability for Portuguese language.
It was firstly hypothesised that the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole, its three subscales, and the 12-item short-form version would demonstrate high internal consistency. As expected, the Social Inclusion Scale as whole (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80) the Social Relations subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.71) and the short-form version (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75) demonstrated high internal consistency. The Social Isolation (0.65) and Social Acceptance (0.54) subscales, however, did not demonstrate acceptable internal consistency. The Social Acceptance subscale (which showed the lowest internal consistency) did demonstrate improved internal consistency (0.63) with one item deleted.
As expected the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole, its three subscales and the short-form version demonstrated high test-retest reliability. As expected the Social Inclusion Scale as a whole was significantly positively correlated with related constructs and the correlation coefficients were >0.70. Scores on the Social Acceptance SIS subscale and the short-form version of the Social Inclusion Scale were significantly correlated (in expected directions) with all measures. The results demonstrate that the Social Inclusion Scale as whole has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and acceptable convergent validity.
It is important to acknowledge some limitations of the present research study. Firstly, the sample is not nationally representative. One further limitation is that not all
participants who completed questionnaire pack 2 completed and returned it within 14 days. However, results remained unchanged with the nine participants who exceeded
the 14 days removed from the analysis.
In conclusion, the Social Inclusion Scale demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties in a sample of Portuguese adults. The establishment of the Social Inclusion Scale as a “gold-standard” measure of social inclusion is progressing. If the Social Inclusion Scale continues to be demonstrated as a reliable and valid measure, it will serve as a useful tool in outcome evaluation of intergenerational projects.
In the second part on loneliness the aim was to present new empirical evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) among
Portuguese adult sample. The study included 1,255 individuals (55% women and 45% men), aged 40–80 (M = 65.96; SD = 9.98). The psychometric properties of the ULS-6
were analysed by means of confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and criterion-related validity methods. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure of the measure with adequate values of various fit indices.
The ULS-6 presented satisfactory psychometric properties, with a high level of internal consistency. Furthermore, the ULS-6 showed a negative relationship with hope, satisfaction with life, and positive affect; and a positive relationship with negative affect. The results confirm that the ULS-6 provides a brief, psychometrically sound measure of loneliness that is appropriate for use among Portuguese adults, including older adults.
2 working papers finalised before the fellow left. The psychometric properties of two scales were examined for validation to the Portuguese population. “Validation of a Portuguese version of the Social Inclusion Scale in an Adult Sample” “Validation of a Portuguese version of the UCLA-6 Loneliness Scale in a Adult
Sample”. Both papers were prepared while at Oxford to be submitted to peer-review international Journals