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Introduction: Social isolation is not uncommon in a population that has undergone life altering surgery. The extent to which social isolation is permanent may influence physical and mental well being. This study investigates social isolation prevalence in the general population of ostomates in North America and the UK (n= 2,068).
Methods: The data is derived from the Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment1, and Hawthorne’s Friendship Scale, an index of social isolation2. Both assessment tools are validated and reliable instruments.
Results and Discussion: Social isolation, as indexed by Hawthorne ranges from “very socially isolated” to “very socially connected”. Twenty percent of study subjects demonstrate low levels of social support, or being very socially isolated. For those 24 months or less post surgery, 21 percent demonstrate this. Of those more than 24 months post surgery, 19 percent are so categorized. Overall, no significant differences are noted in the isolation index for those less than 24 months post surgery, or those greater. However, when categorized by geographic location, North American respondents indicate 24 percent of those less than 24 months post surgery as having low levels, or being very socially isolated, compared with 16 percent of those greater than 24 months post surgery (p=0.0031). ForUK respondents this is 17 percent and 21 percent respectively (no significant difference).
The data indicates that social isolation can occur in those with immediate social support networks available.
Conclusions: Social isolation in a population that has undergone life altering surgery can impact mental and physical health. The extent that it occurs in the ostomy population is not well documented. This study finds that it occurs in approximately 20 percent of all ostomates. This may be the first time that the prevalence of social isolation in this population has been documented in a large study.
Methods: The data is derived from the Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment1, and Hawthorne’s Friendship Scale, an index of social isolation2. Both assessment tools are validated and reliable instruments.
Results and Discussion: Social isolation, as indexed by Hawthorne ranges from “very socially isolated” to “very socially connected”. Twenty percent of study subjects demonstrate low levels of social support, or being very socially isolated. For those 24 months or less post surgery, 21 percent demonstrate this. Of those more than 24 months post surgery, 19 percent are so categorized. Overall, no significant differences are noted in the isolation index for those less than 24 months post surgery, or those greater. However, when categorized by geographic location, North American respondents indicate 24 percent of those less than 24 months post surgery as having low levels, or being very socially isolated, compared with 16 percent of those greater than 24 months post surgery (p=0.0031). For
The data indicates that social isolation can occur in those with immediate social support networks available.
Conclusions: Social isolation in a population that has undergone life altering surgery can impact mental and physical health. The extent that it occurs in the ostomy population is not well documented. This study finds that it occurs in approximately 20 percent of all ostomates. This may be the first time that the prevalence of social isolation in this population has been documented in a large study.