An observational study in Geriatric Assessment and Patients Over 65 Years Old, sponsored by University Hospital Center of Martinique. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Martinique. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-15.
Sponsored by University Hospital Center of Martinique · Observational
Social isolation and loneliness are common among older adults. They are associated with high morbidity and mortality, with an impact comparable to that of other known risk factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, etc.
To date, there is no tool to measure social isolation and loneliness for patients living in the French West Indies. Applying unadapted and unvalidated tools to them without taking into account local ethnocultural realities would be risky.
The investigators believe it is necessary to adapt the scales used to measure social isolation and loneliness for a population living in the French West Indies.
Through this study, the investigators propose adapting the Lubben Social Network Scale, a social isolation questionnaire, for this population and conducting its psychometric validation.
Social isolation and loneliness are common among older adults. They are associated with high morbidity and mortality, with an impact comparable to that of other known risk factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, etc.
Loneliness is a subjective concept of social relationships, most often reflecting a negative feeling.
Social isolation, on the other hand, is an objective concept of social relationships and refers to infrequent or rare contact with family and friends and can also include living alone.
The feeling of loneliness is linked to social isolation, although the association is only partial.
Indeed, some socially isolated people do not always experience loneliness; and some people living alone are not always socially isolated.
Two theories of loneliness argue that a mismatch between expectations and realities of social contact (cognitive theory) and a lack of intimate or social relationships (deficit theory) can lead to feelings of social or emotional loneliness.
A meta-analysis showed that the risk of premature death was 26% higher in people experiencing loneliness, 29% higher in those who were socially isolated, and 32% higher in the group living alone.
Another meta-analysis examined the effects of loneliness and social isolation on (among other things) mortality. The results showed that loneliness and social isolation were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality.
The authors conclude that further research is needed to confirm whether loneliness and social isolation have a direct impact on mortality, or whether the association is indirect via the cardiovascular system and psychological health.
To date, there is no tool to measure social isolation and loneliness for patients living in the French West Indies. Applying unsuitable and unvalidated tools to them without taking into account local ethnocultural realities would be risky.
The investigators believe it is necessary to adapt the scales used to measure social isolation and loneliness for a population living in the French West Indies.
Through this study, the investigators propose adapting the Lubben Social Network Scale, a social isolation questionnaire, for this population and conducting its psychometric validation.
University Hospital Center of Martinique is the lead sponsor of 79 studies on the registry; 21 are open to participants now.
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Patients aged of 65 or older
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Exclusion Criteria:
For the transcultural validation, a french version of the Lubben Social Network Scale questionnaire will be produced. For the psychometric validation, 150 patients aged of 65 or older will pass the questionnaire. The Duke Health Profile questionnaire will be also passed by the subject, for the convergent validity.
Other: Self-assessment questionnaire
150 patients aged of 65 or older will pass the Lubben Social Network Scale questionnaire. The Duke Health Profile questionnaire will be also passed by the subject, for the convergent validity.
Transcultural validation of the Lubben Social Network Scale questionnaire
It will be a question of obtaining a version translated into French. The translated version tested on a small group of patients (15-40) will be submitted to the author of the original version of the tool, along with a report highlighting and explaining all the modifications and difficulties noted by a group of experts.
Time frame: 1 month
Psychometric validation of the Lubben Social Network Scale questionnaire
Questionnaire will be passed by 150 subjects. Following parameters will be measured: feasibility and acceptability, validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change.
Time frame: 24 months
Plan to share: No
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University Hospital Center of Martinique