Asha Behrman
Title/s: Combating Geriatric Isolation: Mental Health and Social Practice in Elderly Women of Chicago
Title/s: Combating Geriatric Isolation: Mental Health and Social Practice in Elderly Women of Chicago
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
While research has frequently studied the physical and memory decline of the elderly, scarce research addresses their mental health. Many factors contribute to poor mental health among elders, but a large driver is geriatric isolation, a growing epidemic in the US. While social practices have been found to help combat isolation, the most effective practices for promoting mental well-being need to be discovered.
Psychologist Carol Gilligan’s, female-centric moral development scale helps better understand the mental well-being of elderly women. In Gilligan-development, aging women value relationships founded on care. Thus, finding social practices that best deter isolation and promote elderly women’s well-being is crucial.
This project will use a multi-dimensional method to interview 50-100 anatomical females living within assisted communities. Interviews will gather insight into social practice engagements, perceptions, and facility support. The UCLA Loneliness Scale will measure feelings of loneliness and social isolation quantitatively in residents.
I will conduct a correlational analysis from these two data sources to discover the relationship and presentation of social practices and their effectiveness in promoting mental well-being.
This research will address elderly mental health and find specific social solutions for women. Dr. Marcy Wilroy is my mentor who will assist in planning, collecting, and analyzing my findings.