Befriending’s impact on the psychological well-being of single-dwelling elderly

• Main Author: Ng, Kaserlyn YanZhen
• Other Authors: Yu Wenxuan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71621
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper studies how befriending, as one of the measures commissioned by the state to combat elderly social isolation and loneliness, impacts the psychological well-being of the elderly. Psychological well-being, in this context, is assessed using Berkman’s model on how social networks impact health through a cascading process, with focus placed on the psychological pathways of self-efficacy, coping effectiveness and distress (Berkman et al., 2000). A total of twelve semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with elderly users of befriending services, aged 65 and above, from January to February 2017. Participants are sourced through Lion Befrienders Service Association. Results show that befriending contributes to improving elderly’s psychological well-being through enhancing the psychological pathways of coping effectiveness while reducing distress to elderly. However, the impact on improving the self-efficacy of elderly was less significant. Three subthemes of sense of security, meaningful and reciprocal relationships and connectedness emerged from the analysis.