Week 4

Question 1

What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary social isolation?

Answer 1

Voluntary - actively chosen by the client

Involuntary - Often negatively viewed; the need for contact is not being met; not actively chosen by the client

Question 2

What are the four patterns of social isolation?

Answer 2

Integrated throughout life
Early isolate
Recent isolate
Lifelong isolate

Question 3

What are the four levels of impact of social isolation?

Answer 3

Person, community, organizational, confidantes

Question 4

Is social isolation subjective or objective?

Answer 4

Objective because it is a measure of contact with others

Question 5

What are some different components of alienation?

Answer 5

Powerlessness, normlessness, isolation (only one part of alienation), self estrangement, and meaninglessness

Question 6

What is loneliness?

Answer 6

An alienation of self

Question 7

What are some potential needs for clients who are experiencing social isolation?

Answer 7

Transportation, someone to talk to, needing to be heard and validated

Question 8

What are some demographic categories that can affect social isolation?

Answer 8

Socioeconomic status, gender, marital status

Question 9

How does socioeconomic status affect social isolation?

Answer 9

Affects the level of education, ability to access outside resources, and ability to gain employment

Question 10

How does gender impact social isolation?

Answer 10

Women are more likely to be caregivers, women have increased social networks which decreases their likelihood of becoming socially isolated

Question 11

How does marital status affect social isolation?

Answer 11

Couples spend more time together, men have increased psychological issues after the death of a spouse

Question 12

What are the four identity levels of self in chronic illness?

Answer 12

Supernormal – client expects to retain all activity

Restored – client expects to return to their normal self

Contingent – client is not at terms with a future self but they acknowledge that they will not return to their previous self

Salvaged – client develops a new identity

Question 13

What are some ways to increase social interaction?

Answer 13

Encourage participation in support groups, interact with peer counselors, help the client to rebuild their social networks, and help the client facilitate spiritual well-being

Question 14

What are some desired outcomes for interventions in social isolation?

Answer 14

The development of empowering relationships, advocacy for a policy change, understanding of the unique needs of clients

Question 15

What are some other potential interventions for social isolation that were not discussed in depth during lecture?

Answer 15

Pet therapy, various community resources, communication technologies

Question 16

Describe the isolation process.

Answer 16

The illness becomes apparent
The clients self perception changes based on the management of their disease and their internalized views of the illness
Potentially facing their own mortality

Question 17

What are some factors that predispose people to developing social isolation?

Answer 17

Visibility of the illness, public perceptions of the illness, geographic and demographic information, culture