ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION 1

Annotated Bibliography on Social Isolation

Student’s Name

Course Name

Instructor’s Name

Date
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

Annotated Bibliography on Social Isolation

Keen, A., Deike, L., & Haan, J. (2023). Combatting Social Isolation, Anxiety, and

Loneliness in Hospitalized Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study. JONA: The

Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(7/8), 385-391.

DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001304.

This article seeks to investigate the effectiveness of interventions for addressing the

problem of social isolation, anxiety, and loneliness in hospitalized patients. One of the article's

conclusions is that psychological distress characterized by anxiety, isolation, and loneliness is

likely to be experienced by hospitalized patients. This problem can be addressed through

different psychological interventions that improve the levels of human connectedness. The other

conclusion was that implementing connections did not statistically improve the psychological

symptoms of hospitalized patients. Still, patients reported benefiting from connections because

they filled their social void. In terms of the audience, the article addresses healthcare

practitioners working in families with hospitalized people, family members, and healthcare

policymakers. They are called to action in providing interventions that reduce isolation,

loneliness, and anxiety among hospitalized patients. The article is relevant to nursing practice

because it reminds me that patients are better when treated as people who need company and

human connection.

In terms of strengths, the article thoroughly reviewed the previous studies about the

problem of social isolation and loneliness experienced by hospitalized patients. This was

important in indicating the gaps in the literature, which is essential in guiding research in

nursing. It also had specific, measurable, attainable, and realistic objectives that could be

achieved within the time of the study. Finally, credible sources were reviewed, including peer-
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

reviewed journals and books related to nursing. The article also had some limitations. For

instance, the study was based on only one hospital, and the findings may be generalized in some

of the Midwest's healthcare systems. Also, the study focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, when

the cases of social isolation were worsened by the restrictions on visiting patients in hospitals.

Thus, the study may need to better fit in the post-pandemic era.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

Nash, T. (2014). Student life--When two worlds connect. Nursing standard (Royal College of

Nursing (Great Britain): 1987), 29(10), 66. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.10.66.s56

The article by Nash (2014) is about finding a solution to the health problem of isolation

and loneliness among young and older people and the contribution that nursing students can

make to address the issue. The study concluded that there was a common problem of negative

societal attitudes towards young and older people, contributing to isolation and sadness. The

other conclusion was that bringing people together to engage in a shared challenge, like walking

or climbing, can play a significant role in identifying social isolation problem and their causes

and guide the devising of a solution with expertise. The article targeted society in general,

nursing students, and health and social care professionals. It helps them to identify the health

problems of isolation and loneliness, the vulnerable group, and the possible solutions.

In terms of strength, the article addressed the matter by bringing together different

groups, including the community, nursing students, health and care professionals, and target

patients. It also involves nursing students developing solutions to the problems they will find in

their workplaces when they finish school. Further, the article is based on experiences happening

in real-life activities, which gives the researcher information firsthand. Besides the strengths, the

article has limitations too. The article did not have a literature review section, meaning its

findings may be limited in adoption due to a lack of relatedness to previous studies. The article is

also not peer-reviewed, meaning that other experts in the field have not scrutinized its scientific

and academic quality. This may limit the application of its findings in nursing practice. Another

limitation is that the article represents Nash’s observations of what happened in the project they

were carrying out but does not include a robust analysis of the information gathered. Thus,

scientific research may not be considered whose findings can be adopted in nursing practice.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

Feasibility, A. (2022). Cognitive Function and Loneliness among Older Adults: Dynamics of

Social Network and Perceived Social Support. Innovation in Aging, 6(S1), 825.

The article investigated the effects of different levels of cognitive functions on the extent

of loneliness that older people experience and how other means of social relationships influence

it. The article concluded that people with dementia and those with cognitive impairment (no

dementia) were likelier to experience cases of loneliness than those with no cognitive

impairment. Also, the levels of loneliness for the people with dementia who had spousal-

focused-ambivalent support were relatively lower. Spouses provided closer relations, which the

affected people needed most to overcome their vulnerability to loneliness. In terms of target

audience, the article is written for people who provide care to patients with different levels of

cognitive impairment, whether professional caregivers or family members. It calls for them to

understand the importance of close social relationships in dealing with feelings of loneliness in

cognitively impaired patients.

In terms of strengths, the article focuses on vulnerable older adults, especially those with

different cognitive functions. It identifies problems and solutions specific to this group, essential

to nursing practice. Further, the robustness of the study makes it credible and useful in nursing

practice. A rigorous examination of the issue makes it relevant to nursing practice. The article

also narrows down the focus to older people with dementia, those with cognitive improvement

but with no dementia, and those with no cognitive impairment. This means the study directly

contributes to studies about care for dementia and cognitively impaired persons.

The article also had limitations, one being that it did not review the literature and theories

guiding the study. This means the article's findings may have limited adoption without being

related to previous studies. The study also discussed social networks from which older people
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

may draw social support but did not include social workers or professional caregivers. It only

focused on family and friends and spousal support. The article is short, indicating that it does not

provide the reader with all the information about how the study was conducted.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SOCIAL ISOLATION

References

Feasibility, A. (2022). Cognitive Function and Loneliness among Older Adults: Dynamics of

Social Network and Perceived Social Support. Innovation in Aging, 6(S1), 825.

Keen, A., Deike, L., & Haan, J. (2023). Combatting Social Isolation, Anxiety, and

Loneliness in Hospitalized Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study. JONA: The Journal of

Nursing Administration, 53(7/8), 385-391. DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001304.

Nash, T. (2014). Student life--When two worlds connect. Nursing standard (Royal College of

Nursing (Great Britain): 1987), 29(10), 66. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.10.66.s56