Description

Social connectedness is consistently found to be one of the most important predictors of mental and physical well-being across cultures and across the lifespan (Cornwell & Waite, 2009; Fiori, Antonucci, & Akiyama, 2008; Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010; National Opinion Research Center (NORC), 2005). Although many people are living longer, older people remain more likely to become socially isolated (Nielsen & Mather, 2011). Concurrently, the geographic and residential mobility of modern society poses challenges for maintaining social integration. Notably, however, there is enormous variation in how individuals respond to such socialdemographic challenges, which is critically predictive of well-being (Oishi & Schimmack, 2010). It is important, therefore, that we understand the mechanisms by which social disconnectedness and perceived isolation arise. Whether these mechanisms are distinct from mechanisms which underpin the development and maintenance of connectedness and perceived integration is a central theme of this thesis.