Research proposal
Exploring factors associated with participation in social
isolation prevention programs among Dutch elderly with a
Turkish or Moroccan migration background: A
quantitative and qualitative study
Research Methods for Health Sciences
,Table of contents
Table of contents.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Loneliness affects healthy aging in Amsterdam................................................................................................................... 3
Loneliness is more prevalent among Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration background
................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Interventions against loneliness in Amsterdam may not be effective enough........................................................3
Qualitative research question...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Quantitative research question................................................................................................................................................... 4
Concepts, theories and model.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Method.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Qualitative research proposal..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Quantitative research proposal................................................................................................................................................ 11
Workplan....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Qualitative research...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Quantitative research................................................................................................................................................................... 15
References..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
2
, Introduction
Loneliness affects healthy aging in Amsterdam
Even though society is more connected than ever, fighting loneliness is one of the main priorities of
the Dutch municipal health institutions (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, 2021a).
Two types of loneliness are distinguished by a demographic study on health and wellness conducted
every four years in Amsterdam (Amsterdamse Gezondheidsmonitor). The two types are emotional
loneliness (the lack of intimate relationships), and social loneliness (the lack of social contacts) which
is synonymous with social isolation (GGD, 2020). Emotional loneliness appeared more frequently (in
36% of respondents) than social loneliness (33%) (GGD, 2020). Additionally, a clear desire for
increased social interaction was expressed by 26% of the citizens of Amsterdam suffering from severe
loneliness (GGD, 2020).
Social interaction is a core aspect of vital aging (BeterOud, 2022), as it is associated with reaching old
age as well as improved self-reported satisfaction in life (Umberson & Montez, 2010). Older adults
are more likely to suffer from feelings of loneliness as they are more often faced with risk factors such
as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss (CDC, 2021).
Loneliness is more prevalent among Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration
background
Among all communities of Dutch citizens, loneliness appears most frequently among Dutch elderly
with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration background. Research has shown that respectively 58% and
54% of Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish background report mild feelings of loneliness,
compared to 21% of Dutch elderly with no migration background (Fokkema & Das, 2021).
According to van Tilburg & Fokkema (2020) Dutch elderly with a migration background tend to have
more social contacts, but participate less (in society) compared to Dutch elderly without a migration
background. Moreover, they are less satisfied with their financial situation, experience reduced
agency and suffer more often from health issues including depressive symptoms (van Tilburg &
Fokkema, 2018).
Interventions against loneliness in Amsterdam may not be effective enough
The Ministry of Public Health has tried to fight loneliness through multiple interventions. In 2016, the
prevalence of emotional loneliness among elderly of 65 years and older was 9,5% (CBS Statline,
3
Exploring factors associated with participation in social
isolation prevention programs among Dutch elderly with a
Turkish or Moroccan migration background: A
quantitative and qualitative study
Research Methods for Health Sciences
,Table of contents
Table of contents.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Loneliness affects healthy aging in Amsterdam................................................................................................................... 3
Loneliness is more prevalent among Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration background
................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Interventions against loneliness in Amsterdam may not be effective enough........................................................3
Qualitative research question...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Quantitative research question................................................................................................................................................... 4
Concepts, theories and model.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Method.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Qualitative research proposal..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Quantitative research proposal................................................................................................................................................ 11
Workplan....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Qualitative research...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Quantitative research................................................................................................................................................................... 15
References..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
2
, Introduction
Loneliness affects healthy aging in Amsterdam
Even though society is more connected than ever, fighting loneliness is one of the main priorities of
the Dutch municipal health institutions (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, 2021a).
Two types of loneliness are distinguished by a demographic study on health and wellness conducted
every four years in Amsterdam (Amsterdamse Gezondheidsmonitor). The two types are emotional
loneliness (the lack of intimate relationships), and social loneliness (the lack of social contacts) which
is synonymous with social isolation (GGD, 2020). Emotional loneliness appeared more frequently (in
36% of respondents) than social loneliness (33%) (GGD, 2020). Additionally, a clear desire for
increased social interaction was expressed by 26% of the citizens of Amsterdam suffering from severe
loneliness (GGD, 2020).
Social interaction is a core aspect of vital aging (BeterOud, 2022), as it is associated with reaching old
age as well as improved self-reported satisfaction in life (Umberson & Montez, 2010). Older adults
are more likely to suffer from feelings of loneliness as they are more often faced with risk factors such
as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss (CDC, 2021).
Loneliness is more prevalent among Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration
background
Among all communities of Dutch citizens, loneliness appears most frequently among Dutch elderly
with a Moroccan- or Turkish migration background. Research has shown that respectively 58% and
54% of Dutch elderly with a Moroccan- or Turkish background report mild feelings of loneliness,
compared to 21% of Dutch elderly with no migration background (Fokkema & Das, 2021).
According to van Tilburg & Fokkema (2020) Dutch elderly with a migration background tend to have
more social contacts, but participate less (in society) compared to Dutch elderly without a migration
background. Moreover, they are less satisfied with their financial situation, experience reduced
agency and suffer more often from health issues including depressive symptoms (van Tilburg &
Fokkema, 2018).
Interventions against loneliness in Amsterdam may not be effective enough
The Ministry of Public Health has tried to fight loneliness through multiple interventions. In 2016, the
prevalence of emotional loneliness among elderly of 65 years and older was 9,5% (CBS Statline,
3
