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A Middle-Range Theory of Social Isolation in Chronic Illness

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Iovino

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Ercole Vellone

    (Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
    Department of Nursing and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Nadia Cedrone

    (Unità di Medicina Interna, Ospedale S. Pertini, 00157 Rome, Italy)

  • Barbara Riegel

    (School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
    Center for Home Care Policy & Research, VNS Health, New York, NY 10017, USA)

Abstract

Chronic illnesses and social isolation are major public phenomena that drive health and social policy worldwide. This article describes a middle-range theory of social isolation as experienced by chronically ill individuals. Key concepts include social disconnectedness, loneliness, and chronic illness. Antecedents of social isolation include predisposing factors (e.g., ageism and immigration) and precipitating factors (e.g., stigma and grief). Outcomes of social isolation include psychosocial responses (e.g., depression and quality of life), health-related behaviors (i.e., self-care), and clinical responses (e.g., cognitive function and health service use). Possible patterns of social isolation in chronic illness are described.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Iovino & Ercole Vellone & Nadia Cedrone & Barbara Riegel, 2023. "A Middle-Range Theory of Social Isolation in Chronic Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4940-:d:1094206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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