Social support and sense of loneliness in solitary older adults

Older people are vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. Solitary seniors are more likely to suffer the feelings of loneliness with inadequate social networks. Based on a face-to-face questionnaire survey with 151 community-dwelling solitary seniors, the present study examined the associations between social support and the sense of loneliness among solitary older adults in Hong Kong. The results showed that poor mental health status, financial inadequacy and weak social support networks were significantly associated with the sense of loneliness of solitary older adults, with social support being the most prominent risk factor. Frequent contacts with siblings, relatives or friends were found to be important sources of social support to combat loneliness. Policy and service implications are discussed

Scientific production on workplace bullying/harassment in dissertations and theses in the Brazilian scenario

OBJECTIVE To analyze scientific production about workplace bullying and harassment in dissertations and theses in Brazil, with emphasis on the year of publication; educational institution; area of knowledge; professional and academic background of the authors; keywords used; and concept map organization. METHOD Bibliometric study with a quantitative approach with a sample consisting of 57 papers, 5 theses and 52 dissertations, published between 2002 and 2012. RESULTS It was found that 2012 was the year with the highest number of publications in this topic area. The region that stood out was the Southeast. The institution with the highest number of publications was the Federal University of Santa Catarina. There was a predominance of dissertations and most publications were produced by researchers focused on a multidisciplinary perspective. CONCLUSION Expanding the views regarding bullying in order to disseminate scientific production was proposed, promoting further advancement of debates and raising pertinent questions

Quando e onde se acidentam e morrem os motociclistas em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Resumo O objetivo foi analisar a tendência dos acidentes de transporte terrestre com motociclistas em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, de 2007 a 2011, e identificar aglomerados e interseções das vias públicas de maior risco. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados da Polícia Militar e do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU). Para identificar as interseções críticas foram calculadas as taxas de severidade dos acidentes. Utilizou-se duas técnicas de estatística espacial para analisar os aglomerados de acidentes: análise de kernel e estatística Scan (modelo de Poisson contínuo). Os aglomerados de risco de acidentes foram detectados na Região Central e nos corredores de tráfego. O risco de acidentes, inclusive fatais, foi maior em segmentos que nas interseções. As interseções críticas são rotas de acesso para as regiões da Grande Belo Horizonte. As taxas de mortalidade e de acidentes apresentaram duas tendências distintas. Além disso, a maioria dos óbitos ocorreu à noite. Justifica-se a importância da melhoria das rotas para os motociclistas e do transporte público