Browsing by Author "Koroļeva, Ilze"

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    Effects of social isolation on mental health during Covid-19 in the context of ageing
    (2021) Koroļeva, Ilze; Sniķere, Sigita; Aleksandrovs, Aleksandrs; Reine, Ieva; Trapencieris, Marcis; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Lubkina, Velta; Apsite-Berina, Elina; Znotina, Daina; Vindaca, Olga; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the usual rhythm of life. Reduced opportunities to meet with family members and friends in a situation of heightened stress leads to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation, as well as increases the risk of mental health problems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of social contacts on the changes in psychoemotional states in the elderly population in Latvia during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis draws upon quantitative data collected by the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe within Wave 8 in Latvia (n=1207). Measurements of the frequency of social contacts were used to construct social isolation indexes. Changes of psychoemotional state, characterized by sleeping problems, nervousness, frustration during the pandemic were included as dependent variables in multinomial logistic regression models that were run to identify the effect of social isolation on psychoemotional health in the context of other factors: age, gender, perceived health status, affluence and feelings of loneliness. The results show that in the group of those aged 50+, close to one-fifth of respondents experienced the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on their mental health. The link between reduced social contacts and changes in psychoemotional states proved to be statistically significant. In the group with the highest level of social isolation, irregularities in psychoemotional health are three times higher compared to other groups.
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    MENTAL HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND THE USE OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES AMONG OLDER LATVIAN DIASPORA
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2022-05) Reine, Ieva; Koroļeva, Ilze; Goldmanis, Māris; Ušča, Svetlana; Danilāne, Līga; Laganovska, Karīne; Znotiņa, Daina; Statistics Unit
    Abstract.Mental health factors play a crucial role in the well-being pattern of migrants, and how the social security is being used. The aim of the study was to investigate, how the mobility across Europe and other regions of the world for different patterns and transnational lifestyles relate to mental health, wellbeing and healthcare as a pillar for social security and overall wellbeing. We analysed personal characteristics, including self-rated health and pre-disposing factorsin order to reflect on the mental health differences for migrant groups.The study includes groups of 6242 respondents living outside Latvia who answered questions about their mental health as well as rated their overall health and assessed the use of the healthcare on a rotating basis in a 2019 survey “Research of Welfare and Social Integration in the Context of Liquid Migration:Longitudinal Approach”. Comprehensive data on migrants from manycountries all over the world allowed to perform multiple regression analysis on stratified groups by migration patterns, including both individual and contextual level variables. Results of theanalysis showed that older migrants tended to have less psychological symptoms compared to younger persons. Moreover, those who were born or had lived in another country seemed to bemore confident in the use of healthcare system in the country of residence. The results showed that individual factors like age, gender, language of communication and education level are strongly related to the use of the healthcare system of the country of origin and better health.Keywords:ageing, education level, general health,healthcareservices, language, migration, psychological symptoms.
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    Overcoming Social Isolation with Digital Technologies Among Ageing Populations During Covid-19
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021-05-28) Reine, Ieva; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Mieriņa, Inta; Gehtmane-Hofmane, Ilona; Koroļeva, Ilze; Lubkina, Velta; Laganovska, Karīne; Kaupužs, Aivars; Statistics Unit; Institute of Public Health
    During Covid-19 social isolation has become more common worldwide, however, some groups, especially elderly people, might have experienced dramatically limited communication due to the lack of skills and access to digital technologies. In this paper, we examined if education was associated with the use of digital technologies to maintain contacts with a family, friends, other social networks and services. The survey was conducted in June-August 2020 by doing 1089 computer-assisted telephone interviews. The questions examined how people aged 50 years and older coped with socioeconomic and health-related impact of COVID-19.We used logistic regression analysis to study the association between the use of digital technologies and the level of education by gender and age. The higher the education was, the more it strongly associated with the use of digital technologies (OR 5.85; 95% CI 3.78-9.03). As expected, age was a strong explanatory factor, however, we did not find consistent age and gender differences. Among those who used digital technologies, analyses showed that overcoming social isolation was related to the education level. The conclusion of the study is that education has inevitable impact on the use of digital technologies and social contacts, however high education level is not crucial for the acquisition of information. It seems that digital technologies are important tools to prevent social isolation and are related to education that includes digital access and competencies. 
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    Social factors as the catalyst of emigration
    (EDP Sciences, 2022-01-11) Pranka, Maruta; Elksne, Ginta; Koroļeva, Ilze; Vilka, L.; Vike, J.; Rīga Stradiņš University
    The objective of the study is to address the factors contributing to emigration from Latvia, in particular by highlighting the importance of social factors in the emigration decision, using the theory of push and pull factors of migration as a theoretical basis. The role of the family and the desire to improve not only the economical, but also the social and psychological conditions of families are important factors in the decision-making process, while maintaining links with Latvia. The authors argue that social factors are essential to the migration decision alongside economic factors, and in particular the family situation. The family is a resource that helps to settle in the new country of residence. The family relationship is addressed in terms of both “ontological security” and a feeling of “social anchoring”. The family remains important in maintaining links with relatives in Latvia.
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    Unraveling the dynamics of loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region : a comparative analysis in the wake of COVID-19
    (2024-04-22) Reine, Ieva; Miķelsone, Madara; Tomsone, Signe; Guðmundsson, Helgi; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Guðmundsson, Halldór S; Koroļeva, Ilze; Statistics Unit; Department of Rehabilitation
    INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of this study is to thoroughly investigate the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among older adults in the Baltic-Nordic region. Utilizing high-quality data sources and employing a methodologically rigorous approach, the study endeavors to enhance our understanding of how loneliness manifests and varies across different cultural and socio-economic contexts within these regions. By identifying key factors influencing loneliness, including demographic, social, and economic variables, the research seeks to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge on loneliness and inform targeted public health strategies and interventions tailored to the unique needs of older adults in the Baltic and Nordic countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research, centered on older adults aged 67 and above within the Baltic-Nordic region, draws upon data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), specifically its eighth wave conducted between June and August 2020. The demographic analysis of this study covers a diverse sample of 5,313 participants from the Baltic and Nordic regions. Specifically, the sample includes 2,377 participants from Nordic countries, namely Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, and 2,936 from the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The investigation extends to the financial well-being of households, involving an analysis of 3,925 individuals, with 1,748 from Nordic countries and 2,177 from Baltic countries. Although Iceland is categorized as a Nordic country, the analysis within this study is conducted separately due to the unavailability of SHARE data for this region. Instead, the HL20 study, focusing on the health and well-being of the older adult population in Iceland, contributes data for 1,033 respondents. This methodological distinction allows for a comprehensive understanding of regional differences, highlighting the importance of specialized approaches to examine the intricate dynamics of loneliness and well-being across the Baltic-Nordic region. RESULTS: The study reveals significant regional variations in loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) reporting a lower prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland). Iceland, while grouped with the Nordic countries, was analysed separately. Employment emerges as a key factor in reducing loneliness across all regions, suggesting the benefits of social interactions and structured routines. Gender and marital status significantly influence loneliness, with notable disparities in the Baltic region and smaller gaps in the Nordic countries, reflecting the impact of societal and cultural norms. Additionally, educational attainment and health status show varied associations with loneliness, highlighting the complex interplay of individual and societal factors in these regions.