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de Paula Couto MC, Rothermund K, Nakamura CA, Seward N, van de Ven P, Hollingworth W, Peters TJ, Araya R, Scazufca M. 'Does it matter how old I feel?' The role of subjective age in a psychosocial intervention for improving depressive symptomatology among older adults in Brazil (PROACTIVE). Aging Ment Health 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38660984 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2342959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that also often affects older adults. The PROACTIVE psychosocial intervention was developed to reduce depressive symptomatology among older adults within primary care settings in Brazil. An important psychological marker that affects individuals' aging experience relates to how old people feel. Known as subjective age, this marker has been shown to be a risk factor for experiencing greater depressive symptoms if individuals report feeling older than their (chronological) age. In this study, we perform secondary analyses of the PROACTIVE cluster-randomized controlled trial to examine the role of subjective age. METHOD The sample included 715 Brazilian older adults (74% female, Mage 68.6, SD = 6.9, age range: 60-94 years) randomized to intervention (n = 360, 74% female, Mage 68.4, SD = 6.6, age range: 60-89 years) or control (n = 355, 74% female, Mage 68.9, SD = 7.2, age range: 60-94 years) arms. Here our primary outcome was depressive symptoms at the 8-month follow-up assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a continuous variable. Our previous analyses demonstrated improved recovery from depression at follow-up in the intervention compared with the control arm. RESULTS Relevant main effects and interactions in regression models for PHQ-9 presented here found that those reporting older subjective age had worse depressive symptoms at follow-up but that they benefitted more from the intervention when initial levels of depression were high. For participants who reported younger subjective ages the intervention showed positive effects that were independent of initial levels of depression. CONCLUSION Our findings emphasize the importance of investigating possible underlying mechanisms that can help clarify the impact of mental health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carina A Nakamura
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nadine Seward
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Pepijn van de Ven
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - William Hollingworth
- Bristol Population Health Science Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tim J Peters
- Bristol Dental School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ricardo Araya
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marcia Scazufca
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Velaithan V, Tan MM, Yu TF, Liem A, Teh PL, Su TT. The Association of Self-Perception of Aging and Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad041. [PMID: 37029753 PMCID: PMC10943510 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Self-perception of aging is an important psychosocial factor that can influence quality of life in older age. This review aimed to synthesize findings on the association between self-perception of aging and quality of life among older adults aged 60 and above. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A systematic search was conducted in 4 electronic databases (Ovid Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science). Studies conducted in English and including measures on the perception of aging and quality of life were included in this review. A total of 32 observational studies (21 cross-sectional, 8 longitudinal, 2 mixed-method, and 1 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria. Outcomes reported in the included studies were quality of life, physical health and functioning, psychological health, mental health, and general well-being. RESULTS Overall, 20 quantitative studies indicated a strong association between positive perception of aging and increased quality of life. Similarly, 9 quantitative studies demonstrated that negative perception of aging is associated with lower quality of life. Results of the mixed-method and qualitative studies indicated that older adults with higher morale and good physical capability had more positive perceptions of health. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that promoting a positive perception of aging and a self-care attitude would help to enhance older adults' quality of life and should be incorporated into future health promotions and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vithya Velaithan
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Min-Min Tan
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Ting-Fai Yu
- School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Andrian Liem
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Pei-Lee Teh
- School of Business, Gerontechnology Laboratory, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Tin Tin Su
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Gocieková V, Stašek A, Ševčíková A, Gore-Gorszewska G. The Role of Ageist Sexual Stereotypes in the Network of Sexual Difficulties, Sex and Relationship Satisfaction Among Adults Aged 50. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38329928 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2307441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
As people age, their sexual activity, including sexual and relationship satisfaction, may change due to the onset of health and sexual difficulties and the activation of internalized ageist sexual stereotypes. We studied whether ageist sexual stereotypes were relevant for the importance of sex for people aged 50+ and how sexual and relationship satisfaction are interlinked with health and sexual difficulties when ageist sexual stereotypes are considered. Data for the network analysis were collected from a sample of 897 Czechs and Slovaks aged 50-96 (52% men, mean age = 62.01). Two models were analyzed - with and without the inclusion of ageist sexual stereotypes. The findings indicated that ageist sexual stereotypes play an important role in the sexuality of women and men aged 50 + .The fewer ageist sexual stereotypes people had, the less sexual difficulties they reported and the more they perceived sex as important. The inclusion of stereotypes into the models, however, weakened the negative link between sexual difficulties and the importance of sex for both women and men. These findings show that the effect of ageist sexual stereotypes are likely complex in the sexual lives of people aged 50 +.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Gocieková
- The Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University
| | - Andrea Stašek
- The Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University
| | - Anna Ševčíková
- The Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University
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Weissberger GH, Lim AC, Mosqueda L, Nguyen AL, Fenton L, Han SD. Subjective Age Moderates the Relationship Between Global Cognition and Susceptibility to Scams. J Appl Gerontol 2024:7334648241229879. [PMID: 38323997 DOI: 10.1177/07334648241229879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the interactive effect of subjective age on the relationship between global cognition and susceptibility to scams. Sixty-five participants underwent an assessment of global cognition (Mini Mental State Examination; MMSE), reported their perceived age (i.e., subjective age), and responded to a self-report questionnaire assessing scam susceptibility. A main effect of global cognition on scam susceptibility was found (p = .028); there was no main effect of subjective age (p = .819). An interaction between global cognition and subjective age was found (p = .016). Examination of conditional effects demonstrated that the relationship between cognition and scam susceptibility was not significant amongst those with subjective ages below one standard deviation of the mean, but was significant for those whose subjective ages fell around or above the mean. Findings suggest that individuals with older subjective ages may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of lower cognition on scam susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron C Lim
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laura Mosqueda
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA
- USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Laura Fenton
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S Duke Han
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA
- USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Zhang A, Zhang Y, Meng Y, Ji Q, Ye M, Zhou L, Liu M, Yi C, Karlsson IK, Fang F, Hägg S, Zhan Y. Associations between psychological resilience and epigenetic clocks in the health and retirement study. GeroScience 2024; 46:961-968. [PMID: 37707649 PMCID: PMC10828333 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00940-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between psychological resilience and epigenetic clocks assessed by DNA methylation age predictions. We used data from 4018 participants in the Health and Retirement Study. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the association between psychological resilience and epigenetic clocks adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking status, and years of education. Thirteen epigenetic clocks were used in our analysis and were highly correlated with one another. A higher psychological resilience score was associated with slower DNA methylation age acceleration for the majority of epigenetic clocks after multivariable adjustment. These findings imply that people with a higher level of psychological resilience may experience slower DNA methylation age acceleration and biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijie Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yasi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaxian Meng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qianqian Ji
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meijie Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liqiong Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Yi
- Department of Chronic Disease Control, Guangming Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ida K Karlsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Hägg
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yiqiang Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Fernández-Ballbé Ó, Martin-Moratinos M, Saiz J, Gallardo-Peralta L, Barrón López de Roda A. The Relationship between Subjective Aging and Cognition in Elderly People: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3115. [PMID: 38132005 PMCID: PMC10743019 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11243115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence on the effects of subjective aging on health, well-being and quality of life. This review aims to synthesize findings about the link between subjective aging and cognition and cognitive decline. Furthermore, it provides an examination of variation sources such as subjective aging construct, cognitive domains, measures employed, age and moderator variables. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Science, as well as grey literature searches in Google Scholar, OpenGrey, WorldCat and NDLTD, which resulted in 59 reports being included. Subjective aging is a relevant construct in the explanation and prediction of cognitive aging and cognitive decline in elderly adults. More positive views about own aging and self-perceptions of aging, as well as a younger subjective age, were consistently related to better cognition and lower risk of cognitive decline. However, there were differences due to subjective aging subdimensions and cognitive domains, as well as an effect of age. Additionally, there were concerns about the content validity of some measures employed, such as the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale for subjective aging and the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognition. Further studies should employ longitudinal designs with a process-based approach to cognition and precise subjective aging measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Fernández-Ballbé
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (J.S.); (L.G.-P.); (A.B.L.d.R.)
| | | | - Jesus Saiz
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (J.S.); (L.G.-P.); (A.B.L.d.R.)
| | - Lorena Gallardo-Peralta
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (J.S.); (L.G.-P.); (A.B.L.d.R.)
| | - Ana Barrón López de Roda
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (J.S.); (L.G.-P.); (A.B.L.d.R.)
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Hajek A, König HH. Sexual satisfaction and aging satisfaction among middle-aged and older adults. Evidence from a nationally representative study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 115:105102. [PMID: 37418821 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM To examine the association between sexual satisfaction and aging satisfaction (also stratified by sex and age group). METHODS We used data from the German Ageing Survey (year 2008, n = 5,418 individuals). This is an established, nationally representative sample of individuals living in private households aged 40 years and over in Germany. The widely used "Attitudes Toward Own Ageing" (ATOA) subscale of the established Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale was used to quantify aging satisfaction. It was adjusted for several covariates in regression analysis. RESULTS After adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, multiple linear regressions still showed that higher sexual satisfaction was associated with higher aging satisfaction in the total sample (β = 0.06, p < .001). This association was also present among both sexes (men, β = 0.07, p < .001; women, β = 0.06, p < .001) as well as among both age groups (middle-aged adults: β = 0.07, p < .001; older adults: β = 0.06, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Even after adjusting for several covariates, there is a clear link between sexual satisfaction and aging satisfaction. Such knowledge may assist in maintaining satisfaction with aging and may thus contribute to successful aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany.
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Germany
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8
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Gitlitz T, Ayalon L. The mediating role of self-directed ageism in sexual health among Jewish-Israeli older people. Geriatr Nurs 2023; 54:341-349. [PMID: 37952297 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
This article examines the relationships between physical health, personal resilience and healthy sexuality in older adults, and the mediating role of self-directed ageism in these relationships. Healthy sexuality, which encompasses sexual partnership satisfaction, sexual behaviors, successful sexual functioning, few negative changes, and few sexual health concerns, is important in old age. Five hundred Jewish-Israeli women and men, aged 60 years and over, participated in the study. Five questionnaires were administered that examined the number of diseases, level of resilience, self-perceptions of aging, and sexual relationships and activities. The data were analyzed using multiple linear and logistic regressions, and path analysis for the mediating role of self-directed ageism. The results showed that higher levels of resilience were positively related to aspects of sexual health, while reporting more diseases and higher self-directed ageism were negatively related to sexual health. Self-directed ageism mediated the relationships between resilience and number of diseases and sexual health. The findings supported the biopsychosocial model of healthy sexuality. It was concluded that sexual health in older age may be promoted by fostering resilience, promoting good health, and reducing self-directed ageism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liat Ayalon
- School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Israel
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Cohn-Schwartz E. Expanding the Scope of PTSD Predictors: The Role of Community Involvement and Aging Perceptions - A Commentary. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 31:902-904. [PMID: 37407384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ella Cohn-Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Huxhold O, Henning G. The Risks of Experiencing Severe Loneliness Across Middle and Late Adulthood. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1668-1675. [PMID: 37431978 PMCID: PMC10561886 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES From a theoretical point of view, older adults may not necessarily face a greater risk of becoming lonely than middle-aged adults but are more likely at a disadvantage in fighting loneliness. Therefore, in this study, we differentiate between the risk of becoming lonely and the risk of remaining lonely. METHODS A large longitudinal data set representative of the German noninstitutionalized population from 40 to 85 years of age (N = 15,408; 49% female participants) was used in the analysis. Lagged logistic regression models were estimated to investigate the effect of earlier experiences of severe loneliness on the risk of being lonely after three years across middle age and late adulthood. Individual differences in health, views on aging, and social activities were taken into account to explore their role in age differences in the risk of remaining lonely. RESULTS The analysis revealed marginal age differences in the risk of becoming lonely but a marked age gradient regarding the risk of remaining lonely. Lonely older adults who were older than 75 years of age were more likely to remain lonely after three years than lonely middle-aged adults. Controlling for individual differences in health, views on aging as social loss, and social activities accounted for this age difference. DISCUSSION Interventions against loneliness may prioritize older age groups because losses in capacities, shifts in motivations, and a degraded opportunity structure render it increasingly less likely that older adults leave a state of loneliness on their own accord.
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Shimizu Y, Hashimoto T, Karasawa K. Reducing negative attitudes toward older adults and increasing advocacy for policies to support older adults: Bayesian analysis approach. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2023; 239:103995. [PMID: 37536010 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.103995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As the world's population is aging, it is necessary to create societies in which older adults and young people can live together comfortably. Reducing young people's negative attitudes toward older adults is a pressing issue. Given the unique characteristics of older adults, which most people will eventually become, we focused on how long people believe it will be before they become older adults (i.e., the subjective time of becoming older). To examine our hypotheses, we performed a Bayesian analysis, which has attracted considerable attention in psychological research in recent years. In Studies 1 and 2, even after controlling for variables such as youth identity and aging anxiety, those with a longer subjective time of becoming older had more negative attitudes toward older adults and lower advocacy for policies to support older adults. In Study 3, we examined the effect of shortening the participants' subjective time of becoming older by presenting an explanatory text on the stereotype embodiment theory and several related empirical findings. We observed decreased negative attitudes toward both the young-old and old-old groups and increased advocacy for policies to support older adults. In the supplemental experiment, the experimental manipulation used in Study 3 reduced participants' aging anxiety. Future studies should elaborate on the negative attitudes toward a broad subgroup of older adults, and examine the perceived relative importance of policies to support older adults compared with policies in other areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Shimizu
- The University of Tokyo, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan.
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Nehrkorn-Bailey AM, Rodriguez D, Forsyth G, Braun B, Burke K, Diehl M. Change in Views of Aging, Physical Activity, and Physical Health Over 8 Weeks: Results From a Randomized Study. J Aging Phys Act 2023; 31:666-678. [PMID: 36708712 PMCID: PMC10559658 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2022-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The AgingPLUS program targets motivational barriers, including negative views of aging, as mechanisms to increase adult physical activity. A pilot study was conducted to test the efficacy of this new program against a generic successful aging program. Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned to the AgingPLUS group, and 60 participants were assigned to the active control group. Repeated-measures multivariate analyses of variance assessed changes in views of aging, physical activity, blood pressure, and hand-grip strength from pretest (Week 0) to delayed posttest (Week 8). The Condition × Occasion interactions were nonsignificant; however, significant main effects for condition and occasion were found. Follow-up tests showed that views of aging were more positive, and physical activity had significantly increased at Week 8 for all participants. In addition, in the treatment group, elevated blood pressure had significantly decreased and hand-grip strength had significantly increased at Week 8. Despite the nonsignificant multivariate findings, the main effect findings provided partial support for the efficacy of the AgingPLUS program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Rodriguez
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO,USA
| | - Garrett Forsyth
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO,USA
| | - Barry Braun
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO,USA
| | - Kimberly Burke
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO,USA
| | - Manfred Diehl
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO,USA
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Sabatini S, Turner S, Brooker H, Ballard C, Corbett A, Hampshire A. Physical and mental health conditions account for variability in awareness of age-related changes. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1152177. [PMID: 37539325 PMCID: PMC10394239 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1152177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The concept of Awareness of Age-Related Changes captures people's perceptions of the positive (AARC-gains) and negative (AARC-losses) age-related changes they experience in several life domains, including their health. We investigated the cross-sectional associations of number and type of physical and mental health conditions with AARC-gains and AARC-losses. Methods The sample comprised 3,786 middle-aged and older adults (mean age = 67.04 years; SD = 6.88) participating to the UK PROTECT study. We used hierarchical regression models to analyze whether after having included sociodemographic variables (model 1), number of physical (model 2) and of mental (model 3) health conditions explained a significant additional amount of variance in AARC-gains and AARC-losses, and whether the association between number of conditions and AARC depended on participants' age. We used multiple regression models to analyze the associations of types of physical and mental health conditions with AARC-gains and AARC-losses. Results A higher number of physical health conditions was associated with higher AARC-gains and higher AARC-losses, but the association did not depend on participant age. After controlling for the number of physical health conditions, a higher number of mental health conditions was associated with higher AARC-losses but not with AARC-gains, and the association was stronger among older participants. Small effects were found between greater AARC-gains and current cancer and between greater AARC-losses and diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, arthritic condition, cancer in full remission, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disorder. The remaining health conditions were either negligibly or non-statistically related to AARC-losses. Conclusion Middle-aged and older adults having more physical health conditions and more mental health conditions may be at higher risk of negative views on their own aging. However, specific physical health conditions, such as arthritis, and certain mental health conditions, such as depression, may make adults particularly vulnerable to negative age-related perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Sabatini
- School of Medicine, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Shelbie Turner
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Helen Brooker
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Ecog Pro Ltd, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Ballard
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Corbett
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Hampshire
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Turner JR, Hill NL, Bhargava S, Madrigal C, Almeida DM, Mogle J. Age Discrepancies Across Two Decades: Desiring to be Younger Is Associated with Daily Negative Affect Over Three Waves of Assessment. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2023; 24:901-910. [PMID: 35614369 PMCID: PMC10824247 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Negative perceptions of aging and older adulthood, including the idealization of youth, are common in the United States. Past work has found that holding negative perceptions of aging is closely associated with poor mental and physical health consequences, yet few studies have examined how these perceptions impact day-to-day experiences. The current study had two objectives: (1) investigate whether age discrepancy (specifically desiring to be younger than one's chronological age) was related to daily negative affect and (2) examine whether this relationship changed as participants aged over time. We utilized the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) diary study, a longitudinal measurement burst study with three waves of 8-day daily diaries indexing approximately 20 years. Participants (N = 2398; Mage [baseline] = 46.85, SD = 12.24; 54.7% women; 92.4% White) reported their desired age as well as daily negative affect at each wave. Using multilevel modeling, we examined whether age discrepancy predicted daily negative affect across 3 waves of observation. Results supported a significant relationship between age discrepancy and daily negative affect. However, no interactions among age discrepancy and baseline age or time across study were found. This suggests that the relationship between age discrepancy and daily negative affect was consistent across waves and participants over a 20-year period and provides evidence for the pernicious effect of deidentifying with one's real age on daily life. Daily experiences can act as potential risk or protective factors and shape developmental trajectories. Reducing ageism through societal interventions or increasing personal acceptance of aging through targeted interventions are two potential pathways of promoting health and well-being across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Turner
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, 314 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Nikki L Hill
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sakshi Bhargava
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Madrigal
- Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David M Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Mogle
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, 314 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Ambrens M, Stanners M, Valenzuela T, Razee H, Chow J, van Schooten KS, Close JCT, Clemson L, Zijlstra GAR, Lord SR, Tiedemann A, Alley SJ, Vandelanotte C, Delbaere K. Exploring Older Adults' Experiences of a Home-Based, Technology-Driven Balance Training Exercise Program Designed to Reduce Fall Risk: A Qualitative Research Study Within a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Geriatr Phys Ther 2023; 46:139-148. [PMID: 34292258 DOI: 10.1519/jpt.0000000000000321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE With an aging population, falls have become an increasing public health concern. While face-to-face exercise programs have demonstrated efficacy in reducing falls, their effectiveness is hampered by low participation and adherence. Digital technologies are a novel and potentially effective method for delivering tailored fall prevention exercise programs to older adults. In addition, they may increase the reach, uptake, and sustainability of fall prevention programs. Therefore, understanding older adults' experiences of using technology-driven methods is essential. This study explored the user experience of StandingTall , a home-based fall prevention program delivered through a tablet computer. METHODS Fifty participants were recruited using purposive sampling, from a larger randomized controlled trial. Participants were selected to ensure maximum variability with respect to age, gender, experience with technology, and adherence to the program. Participants undertook a one-on-one structured interview. We followed an iterative approach to develop themes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Eight themes were identified. These fall under 2 categories: user experience and program design. Participants found StandingTall enjoyable, and while its flexible delivery facilitated exercise, some participants found the technology challenging. Some participants expressed frustration with technological literacy, but most demonstrated an ability to overcome these challenges, and learn a new skill. Older adults who engaged in a technology-driven fall prevention program found it enjoyable, with the flexibility provided by the online delivery central to this experience. While the overall experience was positive, participants expressed mixed feelings about key design features. The embedded behavior change strategies were not considered motivating by most participants. Furthermore, some older adults associated the illustrated characters with gender-based stereotypes and negative views of aging, which can impact on motivation and preventive behavior. CONCLUSION This study found digital technologies are an effective and enjoyable method for delivering a fall prevention program. This study highlights that older adults are interested in learning how to engage successfully with novel technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Ambrens
- School of Health, Medicine and Applied Science, Appleton Institute, CQUniversity, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Melinda Stanners
- Public Health, Health Faculty, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Trinidad Valenzuela
- Physical Activity, Lifestyle, Ageing and Wellbeing Faculty Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Exercise Science Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
| | - Husna Razee
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jessica Chow
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
| | - Kimberley S van Schooten
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
| | - Jaqueline C T Close
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lindy Clemson
- Centre for Excellence in Population Ageing Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - G A Rixt Zijlstra
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen R Lord
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
| | - Anne Tiedemann
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephanie J Alley
- School of Health, Medicine and Applied Science, Appleton Institute, CQUniversity, Rockhampton North, Australia
| | - Corneel Vandelanotte
- School of Health, Medicine and Applied Science, Appleton Institute, CQUniversity, Rockhampton North, Australia
| | - Kim Delbaere
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
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16
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Manzi C, Adorni R, Giannella VA, Steca P. How to Age More Positively? Analyzing Determinants that Shape Attitudes Towards Aging. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10804-023-09447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
AbstractA considerable amount of research has illustrated that negative attitudes toward one’s own aging can directly hinder mental and physical well-being or lead to maladjustment in later stages of life (Swift et al. in Social Issues Policy Rev 11(1):195–231, https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12031, 2017). Research so far has focused on the analysis of individual factors related to attitudes toward aging, often related to personality traits. Our study proposes and tests a model of positive contact with aging (PCA). It analyses both individual and social antecedents of attitudes towards one’s own aging, hypothesizing that individual health self-efficacy directly affects attitudes towards one’s own aging and that the quality and quantity of contact with older adults indirectly impacts on attitudes towards one’s own aging through attitudes towards older adults. The model was tested in a wide sample of the Italian population (N = 753) with a varied age range. The PCA model tested showed excellent fit to the data, explaining a moderate amount of variance in attitudes toward one’s own aging (12%). This model promises to offer implications for active policies that can improve attitudes towards one’s own aging, promoting educational strategies to increase intergenerational exchanges and foster health-related self-efficacy.
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17
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Martínez-Angulo P, Muñoz-Mora M, Rich-Ruiz M, Ventura-Puertos PE, Cantón-Habas V, López-Quero S. "With your age, what do you expect?": Ageism and healthcare of older adults in Spain. Geriatr Nurs 2023; 51:84-94. [PMID: 36921397 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ageism could influence the relationship between older patients' meeting needs and healthcare professionals' answers. AIMS To highlight the experience of older adults with healthcare systems, how they perceive ageism from their healthcare providers, and to explore the relationship between perceived ageism and self-perception of aging (SPA). METHODS We conducted an exploratory qualitative study. The participants were 14 women over 65 who lived alone in their homes. RESULTS Professional responses ignored the expression of preferences of the older patients and excluded them from decision-making processes. These answers influenced older patients' use of health services. Moreover, the negative aspects predominated in a SPA influenced by the internalization of stereotypes and a relationship weighed down by ageist behaviors on the part of health professionals. CONCLUSION Explicit situations of ageism influence an imbalance in power relations between older patients and healthcare professionals, a misuse of health services, and a negative SPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Martínez-Angulo
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Group in Discourse Analysis (HUM380), University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14071, Spain
| | - Margarita Muñoz-Mora
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía (HURS), Córdoba 14004, Spain
| | - Manuel Rich-Ruiz
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Ciber Fragility and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Madrid 28029, Spain; Nursing and Healthcare Research Unit (Investén-isciii), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Pedro E Ventura-Puertos
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Group in Discourse Analysis (HUM380), University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14071, Spain
| | - Vanesa Cantón-Habas
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology, and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14004, Spain; Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba 14004, Spain
| | - Salvador López-Quero
- Interdisciplinary Research Group in Discourse Analysis (HUM380), University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba 14071, Spain; Department of Language Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Andalucía 14003, Spain
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18
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Schafer MH, Upenieks L. Do Sexual Expectations Matter for Older Men and Women? Anticipated Sexual Futures and Late-Life Sexuality Over Two Decades. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2023; 63:240-250. [PMID: 35592883 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Expectations across a variety of life domains appear to shape the aging process, giving weight to the role of self-fulfilling prophecies in later life. Sexuality is one area where the power of expectations is not well-understood. We investigated whether 10-year sexual expectations were associated with sexual satisfaction and sexual frequency a decade on among older heterosexual coupled adults. We further examined whether sexual expectations could offset the sex-constraining impact of functional limitation onset. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used 3 waves of the Midlife Development in the United States study (1995, 2005, 2014), a nationally representative panel survey. Analyses consider adults aged 45+ in 1995 who had a spouse or romantic partner at 2 consecutive waves. Associations between sexual expectations and eventual sexual satisfaction and frequency were estimated with multivariable generalized estimating equations. Moderation analyses examined whether between-wave onset of functional limitations had less influence on sexuality outcomes when combined with a high initial level of sexual expectations. RESULTS Sexually optimistic participants reported more sexual satisfaction and higher sexual frequency a decade later. Though the onset of functional limitations tended to suppress sexual frequency for women, the probability of having weekly sex was significantly higher among such women if they had high rather than low sexual expectations. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Results suggest that, similar to other life domains, expectations shape the sexual experience of older adults. Clinicians and care providers may consider ways to help foster realistic optimism about sexuality among older men and women.
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Mavragani A, Yan RJ, Harkin LJ, Katz D, Stevenson C, Mehta V, Giles E, Talbot C, Gooch D, Bennasar M, Self T, Nuseibeh B, Price B. Digital Intervention in Loneliness in Older Adults: Qualitative Analysis of User Studies. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e42172. [PMID: 36705962 PMCID: PMC9919429 DOI: 10.2196/42172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is a significant well-being issue that affects older adults. Existing, commonly used social connection platforms do not contain facilities to break the cognitive cycle of loneliness, and loneliness interventions implemented without due processes could have detrimental effects on well-being. There is also a lack of digital technology designed with older adults. OBJECTIVE We aimed to iteratively design a user-centered smartphone app that can address loneliness in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the loneliness-related psychological processes that our conceptual smartphone app promotes. We also identified the emergent needs and concerns that older adults raised regarding the potential benefits and detriments of the app. METHODS We used technology probes to elicit older adults' reflections on the concept of using the app in 2 studies as follows: concept focus groups (n=33) and concept interviews (n=10). We then conducted a prototype trial with 1 week of use and follow-up interviews (n=12). RESULTS Thematic analysis explored the experiences and emergent challenges of our app through the design process. This led to the development of 4 themes as follows occurring in all 3 qualitative data sets: reflection on a digital social map is reassuring; app features encourage socializing; the risk of compounding loneliness; and individuals feel more control with mutual, socially beneficial activities. CONCLUSIONS Smartphone apps have the potential to increase older adults' awareness of the richness of their social connections, which may support loneliness reduction. Our qualitative approach to app design enabled the inclusion of older adults' experiences in technology design. Thus, we conclude that the older adults in our study most desired functionalities that can support mutual activities and maintain or find new connections rather than enable them to share an emotional state. They were wary of the app replacing their preferred in-person social interaction. Participants also raised concerns about making the user aware of the lack of support in their social network and wanted specific means of addressing their needs. Further user-centered design work could identify how the app can support mutual activities and socializing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronnie Jieru Yan
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia Jo Harkin
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dmitri Katz
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Clifford Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vikram Mehta
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie Giles
- Graphic Design, School of Arts and Communication, Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Talbot
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Gooch
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed Bennasar
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Tara Self
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bashar Nuseibeh
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.,Lero - The Irish Software Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Blaine Price
- Computing and Communications, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
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20
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Watanabe A, Katano S, Yano T, Nagaoka R, Numazawa R, Honma S, Yamano K, Fujisawa Y, Ohori K, Kouzu H, Ishigo T, Katayose M, Hashimoto A, Furuhashi M. Loss of perceived social role, an index of social frailty, is an independent predictor of future adverse events in hospitalized patients with heart failure. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1051570. [PMID: 36606289 PMCID: PMC9807608 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1051570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Although the impact of physical frailty on prognosis and the effect of cardiac rehabilitation in HF patients has been well established, data for the prognostic impact of social frailty (SF) in HF patients are limited. In addition, the relative importance of each SF domain in clinical outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to get a new insight into the associations of SF with clinical outcomes in elderly hospitalized HF patients. Methods A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from 310 in-hospital HF patients aged ≥ 65 years (mean age of 78 ± 8 years; 49% women). Makizako's five questions, a self-reported questionnaire, were used to define SF. The primary outcome was composite events defined by all-cause death and cardiovascular events. Results Of the 310 elderly HF patients, 188 patients (61%) had SF. Seventy-five patients (24%) had composite events during a mean follow-up period of 1.93 ± 0.91 years. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with SF had a significantly higher composite event rate than patients without SF. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, SF was independently associated with a higher composite event rate after adjusting for prognostic markers [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.78; p = 0.04]. Of the 5 questions for defining SF, an answer of yes to the question about not feeling helpful toward friends or family, which indicates loss of perceived social role, was an independent predictor of composite events (adjusted HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.36-3.82; p < 0.01). Inclusion of loss of perceived social role into the baseline prognostic model improved both the continuous net reclassification improvement (0.562; 95% CI, 0.298-0.827; p < 0.01) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.031; 95% CI, 0.006-0.056; p = 0.02). Conclusion Loss of perceived social role is associated with increased adverse event risk and provides additive prognostic information in elderly HF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Watanabe
- Division of Nursing, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Katano
- Division of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan,*Correspondence: Satoshi Katano,
| | - Toshiyuki Yano
- Department of Cardiovascular, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryohei Nagaoka
- Division of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryo Numazawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Suguru Honma
- Department of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Cardiovascular Hospital, Sapporo, Japan,Second Division of Physical Therapy, Sapporo Medical University School of Health Science, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Yamano
- Division of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fujisawa
- Division of Rehabilitation, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Ohori
- Department of Cardiovascular, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo, Japan,Department of Cardiology, Hokkaidō Cardiovascular Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Kouzu
- Department of Cardiovascular, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ishigo
- Division of Hospital Pharmacy, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masaki Katayose
- Second Division of Physical Therapy, Sapporo Medical University School of Health Science, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Cardiovascular, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo, Japan,Division of Health Care Administration and Management, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masato Furuhashi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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21
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Park C, Xin Y, Jeong M. Self-Perceptions of Aging Among Young Adults Who Had Close Contact with a Grandparent. JOURNAL OF INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15350770.2022.2150739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cherrie Park
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yitong Xin
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mijin Jeong
- School of Social Welfare, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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22
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Age integration in later life social networks and self-perceptions of aging: examining their reciprocal associations. Eur J Ageing 2022; 19:1145-1153. [PMID: 36692745 PMCID: PMC9729448 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-022-00688-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Relying on the age segregation theory (limited contact between age groups), this study examined the temporal reciprocal associations between age integration-the inclusion of older and younger people in one's personal network-and one's self-perceptions of aging (SPA). Data came from the 2014 and 2017 waves of the German Ageing Survey and focused on adults aged 60 and above (N = 5239). Age composition of the network was assessed as the number of kin and non-kin in the social network who are either more than 10 years older or more than 10 years younger than the respondent. A latent change score model assessed the bidirectional associations. The results showed that adults who had younger social network members, both kin and non-kin, had better SPA 3 years later. A positive SPA at baseline also predicted a higher number of younger non-kin and older non-kin relationships over time. These results stress the role of SPA in adults' social network as well as the role of age integration in shaping adults' SPA. Practitioners and policy makers should encourage connections between people of different ages and should strive to decrease the age segregation in society.
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Psychological factors substantially contribute to biological aging: evidence from the aging rate in Chinese older adults. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:7206-7222. [PMID: 36170009 PMCID: PMC9550255 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a deep learning aging clock using blood test data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, which has a mean absolute error of 5.68 years. We used the aging clock to demonstrate the connection between the physical and psychological aspects of aging. The clock detects accelerated aging in people with heart, liver, and lung conditions. We demonstrate that psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to 1.65 years to one’s biological age, and the aggregate effect exceeds the effects of biological sex, living area, marital status, and smoking status. We conclude that the psychological component should not be ignored in aging studies due to its significant impact on biological age.
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Cohn‐Schwartz E, Finlay JM, Kobayashi LC. Perceptions of societal ageism and declines in subjective memory during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal evidence from US adults aged ≥55 years. THE JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ISSUES 2022; 78:JOSI12544. [PMID: 36249550 PMCID: PMC9538955 DOI: 10.1111/josi.12544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The cognitive health of older adults since the COVID-19 pandemic onset is unclear, as is the potential impact of pandemic-associated societal ageism on perceived cognition. We investigated associations between perceptions of societal ageism and changes in subjective memory over a 10-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected longitudinal data from monthly online questionnaires in the nationwide COVID-19 Coping Study of US adults aged ≥55 from April 2020 to January 2021 (N = 4444). We analyzed the data using multivariable longitudinal multilevel models. We identified an overall decline in subjective memory, especially in the initial months of the pandemic. Adults who perceived that societal respect for older adults decreased during the pandemic experienced more rapid declines in their subjective memory. These findings suggest that aging adults perceived a decline in their memory, especially during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Societal interventions to combat ageism may help improve subjective memory and could decrease risk for cognitive decline among middle-aged and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Cohn‐Schwartz
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health SciencesFaculty of Health SciencesBen‐Gurion UniversityBeer‐ShevaIsrael
| | - Jessica M. Finlay
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population HealthDepartment of EpidemiologyUniversity of Michigan School of Public HealthAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Social Environment and Health ProgramSurvey Research CenterUniversity of Michigan Institute for Social ResearchAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Lindsay C. Kobayashi
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population HealthDepartment of EpidemiologyUniversity of Michigan School of Public HealthAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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25
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Weissberger G, Bergman YS. The association between subjective age and financial exploitation vulnerability among older adults: The moderating role of social support. J Elder Abuse Negl 2022; 34:314-324. [PMID: 35920779 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2022.2108181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Financial exploitation of older adults bears detrimental physical and psychological consequences. However, risk factors of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) remain elusive. In line with a growing awareness of the importance of subjective perceptions of the aging process for older adults' functioning and well-being, this study examined the connection between subjective age (feeling younger/older than one's chronological age) and FEV, and the moderating effect of social support on this connection. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 137 Israeli older adults (age range 60-89, M = 69.90, SD = 6.85), who completed scales of FEV, subjective age, and social support, as well as relevant socio-demographic information. Older subjective age was associated with increased FEV when social support was low, but not when social support was high. Results are discussed in line with Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory and provide initial information pertaining to the relevance of subjective age perceptions to FEV in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali Weissberger
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yoav S Bergman
- Faculty of Social Work, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel
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26
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Fawsitt F, Dockray S, Setti A. Regulatory focus and perceptions of ageing: exploring the connections. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:1451-1459. [PMID: 34282679 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1952550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objectives:Perceptions of ageing can become a self-fulfilling prophecy for older adults, with those who hold more negative views of ageing experiencing more negative consequences of the ageing process, including poorer health and cognitive declines. Exposure to negative stereotypes about their group can also affect older adults performance in cognitive tests, as they are more likely to adopt a prevention focus to avoid mistakes, therefore, performing poorly in tasks requiring them to adopt a gains-oriented focus. Based on regulatory focus theory, we hypothesised that negative perceptions of ageing and stereotype threat may be connected, specifically we hypothesised that those with more negative perceptions of ageing would also have a stronger trait prevention focus.Method: Two hundred adults aged 60+ took part in an online questionnaire examining their perceptions of ageing and their trait regulatory focus.Results and Conclusion: Results indicated that negative perceptions of ageing were predictive of a stronger trait prevention focus in a hierarchical multiple regression model. This provides evidence that older adults with more negative perceptions of ageing may adopt a stronger prevention focus, potentially influencing psychological attitudes to everyday tasks and behaviours. Perceptions of ageing and regulatory focus can have implications for the efficacy of health messaging for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feargus Fawsitt
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Samantha Dockray
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Annalisa Setti
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Kim E, Bolkan C. Attitudes toward aging as a psychological resource among caregivers of persons living with dementia. Geriatr Nurs 2022; 44:60-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Weissberger GH, Bodner E, Palgi Y, Kavé G, Shmotkin D, Shrira A. The Association Between Views of Aging and Subjective Cognitive Complaints in Older Adults: Findings From Two Samples. Res Aging 2022; 44:531-544. [PMID: 35229687 DOI: 10.1177/01640275211065150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined whether views of aging (VoA) relate to subjective cognitive complaints in two separate cohorts of older adults. Ageist attitudes, attitudes to aging (psychological loss, physical change, and psychological growth), subjective age, and subjective successful aging were examined. A moderating effect of chronological age was also examined. Samples included 572 adults aged 50 or older (Sample 1; mean age = 67.63, SD = 11.39, 49.4% female) and 224 adults aged 65 or older (Sample 2; mean age = 81.50, SD = 6.61, 75.3% female). More negative VoA (higher ageist attitudes, lower psychological growth, lower physical change, older subjective age, and less successful aging) were associated with more subjective cognitive complaints after controlling for covariates. An increase in chronological age strengthened some of these associations. Findings suggest that improving dimensions of VoA may have a complementary positive effect on subjective cognitive complaints in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali H Weissberger
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, 26731Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ehud Bodner
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, 26731Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yuval Palgi
- 26748Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Israel
| | - Gitit Kavé
- Department of Education and Psychology, 42715The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
| | - Dov Shmotkin
- School of Psychological Sciences, 26731Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amit Shrira
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, 26731Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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The effects of being informed about chemotherapy-related cognitive symptoms with and without self-affirmation on perceived cognitive symptoms of breast cancer patients: a randomized prospective, longitudinal study. Clin Breast Cancer 2022; 22:439-454. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Frías-Luque MD, Toledano-González A. Determinants of quality of life and well-being in cognitively unimpaired older adults: a systematic review. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12900. [PMID: 35186486 PMCID: PMC8841035 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It is important to know the psychological variables that are related to quality of life and well-being in healthy elderly people. The main objective of the present review is to analyse which factors, through psychological variables, are determinant on the adaptive processes that acquire relevance in the last stage of life. DATA SOURCES An electronic search was conducted in WOS, Science Direct, PsycARTICLES, Psychology Database and Psycinfo. STUDY SELECTION The search terms used were derived from the combination of the following search string: (("Emotional Factors" OR "Emotional Effects") AND ("Emotional Intelligence" OR "Emotional Regulation") AND ("Quality of Life" OR "Personal Satisfaction") AND ("Healthy Old People" OR "Healthy Old Adults") AND ("Healthy Aging" OR "Successful Aging")). DATA EXTRACTION 11th April 2021. DATA SYNTHESIS In total, 13 articles were selected. CONCLUSIONS The articles showed the importance of social support, proactive coping strategies (emotional regulation) and emotional intelligence as key factors in the elderly population for their positive influence on variables such as quality of life and well-being. PROSPERO ID CRD42021224789
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abel Toledano-González
- Neurological Disabilities Research Institute, Albacete, Spain,Department of Psychology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Castilla La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain
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Nakamura JS, Hong JH, Smith J, Chopik WJ, Chen Y, VanderWeele TJ, Kim ES. Associations Between Satisfaction With Aging and Health and Well-being Outcomes Among Older US Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2147797. [PMID: 35138398 PMCID: PMC8829664 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.47797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Researchers and policy makers are expanding the focus from risk factors of disease to seek potentially modifiable health factors that enhance people's health and well-being. Understanding if and to what degree aging satisfaction (one's beliefs about their own aging) is associated with a range of health and well-being outcomes aligns with the interests of older adults, researchers, health systems, and politicians. OBJECTIVES To evaluate associations between changes in aging satisfaction and 35 subsequent health and well-being outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a national, diverse, and longitudinal sample of 13 752 US adults older than 50 years, to evaluate if changes in aging satisfaction (between combined cohorts from 2008 and 2010 and 4 years later, in 2012 and 2014) were subsequently associated with 35 indicators of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health and well-being in 2016 and 2018. Statistical analysis was conducted from July 24, 2020, to November 6, 2021. EXPOSURE Aging satisfaction. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES A total of 35 physical (eg, stroke), behavioral (eg, sleep problems), and psychosocial (eg, depression) outcomes were evaluated using multiple linear and generalized linear regression models. Data from all participants, irrespective of how their levels of aging satisfaction changed from the prebaseline to baseline waves, were incorporated into the overall estimate, which was conditional on prior satisfaction. RESULTS During the 4-year follow-up period, participants (N = 13 752; 8120 women [59%]; mean [SD] age, 65 [10] years; median age, 64 years [IQR, 56-72 years]; 7507 of 11 824 married [64%]) in the highest (vs lowest) quartile of aging satisfaction had improved physical health (eg, 43% reduced risk of mortality [risk ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.46-0.71]), better health behaviors (eg, 23% increased likelihood of frequent physical activity [risk ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.34]), and improved psychosocial well-being (eg, higher positive affect [β = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.44-0.58] and lower loneliness [β = -0.41; 95% CI, -0.48 to -0.33]), conditional on prebaseline aging satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study suggests that higher aging satisfaction is associated with improved subsequent health and well-being. These findings highlight potential outcomes if scalable aging satisfaction interventions were developed and deployed at scale; they also inform the efforts of policy makers and interventionists who aim to enhance specific health and well-being outcomes. Aging satisfaction may be an important target for future interventions aiming to improve later-life health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S. Nakamura
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joanna H. Hong
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jacqui Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Ying Chen
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tyler J. VanderWeele
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eric S. Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Hu RX, Li LW. Social Disconnectedness and Loneliness: Do Self-Perceptions of Aging Play a Role? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:936-945. [PMID: 35085397 PMCID: PMC9071429 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Research suggests that self-perceptions of aging (SPA) have effects on physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional well-being among older adults. Few studies have examined the effects of SPA on social well-being. This study investigates the association of SPA with trajectories of social disconnectedness and loneliness in older Americans and explores mechanisms linking SPA and the 2 forms of social isolation. METHODS We conducted Latent Growth Curve Modeling and path analysis using 3-wave data spanning 8 years (2008/2010-2016/2018) from the Health and Retirement Study. The sample included respondents aged 65 and older (N = 3,597) at baseline (2008/2010). SPA was measured by the Attitudes Toward Own Aging Scale. Social disconnectedness was an index including 6 indicators of social networks and social engagement. Loneliness was measured using the 11-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS Older adults with more negative SPA at baseline were more lonely but had slower rates of increase in loneliness during the 8-year study period. More negative SPA also predicted greater social disconnectedness but was not significantly related to the rate of change in social disconnectedness over time. The effects of SPA on social disconnectedness were primarily indirect through loneliness, whereas SPA had direct effects on loneliness. Overall, SPA had a stronger association with loneliness than with social disconnectedness. DISCUSSION The results suggest that older adults with negative SPA are at risk of loneliness which then leads to social disconnectedness. Asking about SPA during individual assessment with older adults may help to discern issues with loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Xiaochen Hu
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Address correspondence to: Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. E-mail:
| | - Lydia W Li
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Sheffler P, Rodriguez TM, Cheung CS, Wu R. Cognitive and metacognitive, motivational, and resource considerations for learning new skills across the lifespan. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2021; 13:e1585. [PMID: 34783458 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Across the lifespan, learners have to tackle the challenges of learning new skills. These skills can range from abilities needed for survival, such as learning languages, learning to walk during infancy, and learning new software for a job in adulthood, to abilities related to leisure and hobbies. As the learner progresses through novice to expert stages, there are cognitive and metacognitive, motivational, and resource considerations for learning new skills. In terms of cognitive considerations, fluid and crystallized abilities as well as executive functions interact to help the learner process and retain information related to the skills. In terms of metacognitive considerations, knowing what to learn and how to learn are important for novel skill learning. In terms of motivational considerations, changes in individuals' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation throughout the lifespan impact their pursuit of novel skill learning, and declines in motivation can be buffered through the cultivation of grit, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and other personal factors. In terms of resource considerations, there are many tools that learners can use to acquire new skills, but allocation and availability of these resources differ based on life stage and socioeconomic status. Taken together, these considerations may provide learners with the best chance at acquiring new skills across the lifespan. Further research investigating these three factors, particularly among older adult learners, and their interactive effects could help increase our understanding of their impacts on skill learning and inform future cognitive interventions that can be tailored to learners' unique needs. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Cognitive Development Psychology > Development and Aging Psychology > Learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Sheffler
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Tania M Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Cecilia S Cheung
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Rachel Wu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
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Stereotypes about very old people and perceived societal appreciation in very old age. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 54:93-100. [PMID: 34599385 PMCID: PMC8551093 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-021-01971-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background People in very old age (VOA) are expected to be confronted with particularly negative stereotypes. These influence societally shared behavior towards and judgements about them. Such external evaluations of individuals’ lives are considered a crucial part of their quality of life (QoL). Objective The present study elaborated a) the societal appreciation perceived by people in VOA and b) the stereotypes about people in VOA held by stakeholders from key societal areas. The aim was to discuss possible connections between these external standards and individual life results. Material and methods A parallel mixed methods design was employed. Cross-sectional data from a representative survey of people aged 80 years and older (n = 1863) were analyzed by means of χ2-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests to examine differences in perceived societal appreciation (PSA) by characteristics of the person, their biography, and current lifestyle. Linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of these characteristics on PSA. Regarding stereotypes about people in VOA, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from key societal areas (n = 22) were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The quantitative and qualitative findings were juxtaposed for comparison. Results PSA was predicted by health-related variables and productive activities. Several societal stakeholders highlighted that age-related losses pose challenges on very old individuals, their families, and society, whereas remaining potentials in VOA can and should be used for the benefit of others; however, stakeholders‘ perceptions differed by the extent of their professional contact with (very) old people. Different pathways were proposed through which the observed stereotypes and determinants of PSA might be connected (e.g., stereotype internalization). Conclusion Our study illustrates the relevance of external standards for individual QoL and highlights the need for a normative perspective in the discussion about QoL and its enhancement. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s00391-021-01971-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. The article and the supplementary material are available in the electronic full-text archive at https://www.springermedizin.de/zeitschrift-fuer-gerontologie-und-geriatrie. You will find the supplementary material at the end of the article.
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Schwartz E, Ayalon L, Huxhold O. Exploring the Reciprocal Associations of Perceptions of Aging and Social Involvement. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:563-573. [PMID: 31950185 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Positive perceptions of aging are known to have beneficial effects for older adults' health and well-being, but less is known regarding their social correlates. The current study aimed to disentangle the bidirectional associations of perceptions of aging with informal and formal social involvement. METHOD Data for this study came from the 2008 and 2014 waves of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). Informal social involvement was assessed as the frequency of providing advice and emotional support to others. Formal social involvement was measured as the number of groups and organizations one participates in and the frequency of attending them. A latent change score model was used to assess the bidirectional links between the constructs. RESULTS Adults with more positive aging perception at baseline were likely to become more informally and formally socially involved over time. Informal social involvement predicted better perceptions of aging, but not formal social involvement. These trends were consistent across age groups. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that having positive expectations regarding one's aging might encourage adults to maintain a more engaged and socially productive lifestyle. In addition, informal social involvement, characterized by the provision of advice and support to others, is beneficial for experiencing the aging process more positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Schwartz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva.,Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Klusmann V, Gow AJ, Robert P, Oettingen G. Using Theories of Behavior Change to Develop Interventions for Healthy Aging. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:S191-S205. [PMID: 34515775 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy aging requires people to adopt and maintain beneficial behaviors in all stages of the life span. Supporting behavior change, including via the motivation to make and maintain those changes, is therefore important for the promotion of healthy aging. The aim of this overview is to introduce theoretical frameworks from the psychology of motivation that lend themselves to the development of effective interventions promoting behavior change conducive to healthy aging. We discuss theoretical frameworks referring to the determinants, properties, and functionality of goals aimed at behavior change, and consider the implications of the various theories for designing interventions to support healthy aging. We first consider theories that focus on beliefs and attitudes as determinants of goals, then we address theories that focus on the structure and content as important properties of goals, and, finally, we examine theories drawing on conscious and nonconscious processes underlying the functionality of these goals. We will present if-then planning and mental contrasting, as well as nudging and boosting, that is, novel strategies of behavior change that support the creation of scalable interventions for healthy aging across the life span. Against this background, new perspectives emerge for modern, state-of-the-art, and individually tailored interventions with the aim of enhancing older people's healthy living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Klusmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Germany.,Department of Psychology and Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alan J Gow
- Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences and Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philippe Robert
- CoBTEK Lab, IA Association, University Côté d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Gabriele Oettingen
- Department of Psychology and Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, New York University, USA
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Luo MS, Li L. Changes in depressive symptoms from pre- to postretirement over a 20-year span: The role of self-perceptions of aging. J Affect Disord 2021; 292:1-8. [PMID: 34087632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retirement-related changes in depressive symptoms are not clear. This research examined short- and long-term changes in older adults' depressive symptoms before, upon, and after retirement. It also tested if and how changes in depressive symptoms varied by different levels of negative self-perceptions of aging (nSPA) in men and women. METHODS We analyzed longitudinal data from individuals who retired between 1994 and 2016 in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9027). Using fixed-effect regression models, we examined changes in depressive symptoms from the 10-year preretirement phase through the 10-year postretirement phase. We also examined how changes in depressive symptoms during the retirement transition varied across four groups: low nSPA men, low nSPA women, high nSPA men, and high nSPA women. RESULTS Both male and female retirees experienced increased short- and long-term depressive symptoms after retirement. However, the pattern of change varied by nSPA and gender. For both low nSPA men and women, there were no significant changes in depressive symptoms across different retirement phases. Adults with high nSPA showed important changes in depressive symptoms, but there were gender differences-High nSPA men experienced increases in depressive symptoms mainly in preretirement years and during the year of retirement; high nSPA women experienced symptoms increase during the year of retirement and the years after retirement. LIMITATIONS The use of self-report measures may lead to recall bias. Studies are needed to understand mechanisms behind the protective role of low nSPA. CONCLUSIONS The findings attest to the health benefits of low nSPA during later-life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Sha Luo
- Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Lydia Li
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US
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Cohn-Schwartz E, Ayalon L. Societal Views of Older Adults as Vulnerable and a Burden to Society During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Results From an Israeli Nationally Representative Sample. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:e313-e317. [PMID: 32882025 PMCID: PMC7499733 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To examine the factors associated with older adults' perceptions of ageism in society during the COVID-19 outbreak, in particular the portrayal of older people as a burden and as vulnerable Methods Data are based on a nationally-representative survey of adults aged 50+ in Israel, conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak (N=888). Regression models predicted perceptions of societal ageism. The independent variables were dying anxiety, experiences of age-based discriminations and social resources Results Participants who believed older adults were perceived as a burden during the COVID-19 outbreak had higher dying anxiety and reported more age-based discrimination. Living with children and contact with family were protective against perceptions of adults as a burden. Participants who believed older adults were perceived as vulnerable had higher dying anxiety and were less likely to live with children Discussion The daily lives of older adults can impact their perceptions of societal ageism during the COVID-19 outbreak
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Cohn-Schwartz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Zhang W, Radhakrishnan K, Becker H, Acton GJ, Holahan CK. Self-Regulation Strategies Among Community-Dwelling People Aging With Arthritis and Multimorbidity. J Gerontol Nurs 2021; 47:35-45. [PMID: 33377983 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20201209-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Self-regulation strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation (SR-SOC) have been found to predict arthritis self-efficacy and quality of life among community-dwelling people aging with arthritis and multimorbidity. The current study aimed to describe the health resources and chronic disabling symptom characteristics of community-dwelling people aging with arthritis and multimorbidity and investigate how these characteristics influence and predict SR-SOC strategies in managing arthritis multimorbidity after controlling for demographics and comorbidities. One hundred forty individuals aged >50 years completed surveys on demographics, comorbidities, health resources, symptoms, and SR-SOC strategy use frequencies. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics. Correlations and multivariate hierarchical stepwise regressions were used to examine the associated characteristics and predictors for SR-SOC strategy use frequency. Lower health literacy, health care provider communication quality, and smaller social network were reported less often than arthritis in general. Significant predictors of SR-SOC strategy use were physical symptoms, health care provider communication quality, and age (p < 0.05). Better symptom management and health care provider communication quality could help promote self-regulation. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(1), 35-45.].
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Schneider A, Riedlinger D, Pigorsch M, Holzinger F, Deutschbein J, Keil T, Möckel M, Schenk L. Self-reported health and life satisfaction in older emergency department patients: sociodemographic, disease-related and care-specific associated factors. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1440. [PMID: 34289829 PMCID: PMC8296655 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-reported health (SRH) and life satisfaction (LS) are patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that independently predict mortality and morbidity in older adults. Emergency department (ED) visits due to serious health problems or accidents might pose critical life events for patients. This study aimed (a) to characterize older patients' SRH and LS during the distinct event of an ED stay, and (b) to analyze concomitant associations of PROs with ED patients' sociodemographic, disease-specific and care-related variables. METHODS Study personnel recruited mostly older ED patients from three disease groups during a two-year period (2017-2019) in eight EDs in central Berlin, Germany, in the context of the health services research network EMANet. Cross-sectional data from the baseline patient survey and associated secondary data from hospital information systems were analyzed. Multilevel linear regression models with random intercept were applied to assess concomitant associations with SRH (scale: 0 (worst) to 100 (best)) and LS (scale: 0 (not at all satisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied)) as outcomes, including sensitivity analyses. RESULTS The final sample comprised N = 1435 participants. Mean age was 65.18 (SD: 16.72) and 50.9% were male. Mean ratings of SRH were 50.10 (SD: 23.62) while mean LS scores amounted to 7.15 (SD: 2.50). Better SRH and higher LS were found in patients with cardiac symptoms (SRH: β = 4.35, p = .036; LS: β = 0.53, p = .006). Worse SRH and lower LS were associated with being in need of nursing care (SRH: β = - 7.52, p < .001; LS: β = - 0.59, p = .003) and being unemployed (SRH: β = - 8.54, p = .002; LS: β = - 1.27, p < .001). Sex, age, number of close social contacts, and hospital stays in the previous 6 months were additionally related to the outcomes. Sensitivity analyses largely supported results of the main sample. CONCLUSIONS SRH and LS were associated with different sociodemographic and disease-related variables in older ED patients. Nursing care dependency and unemployment emerged as significant factors relating to both outcomes. Being able to identify especially vulnerable patients in the ED setting might facilitate patient-centered care and prevent negative health outcomes. However, further longitudinal research needs to analyze trajectories in both outcomes and suitable intervention possibilities in the ED setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION EMANet sub-studies were registered separately: German Clinical Trials Register (EMAAge: DRKS00014273, registration date: May 16, 2018; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00014273; EMACROSS: DRKS00011930, registration date: April 25, 2017; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011930); ClinicalTrials.gov (EMASPOT: NCT03188861, registration date: June 16, 2017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03188861?term=NCT03188861&draw=2&rank=1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schneider
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Dorothee Riedlinger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Emergency Medicine, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mareen Pigorsch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Holzinger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of General Practice, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Deutschbein
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Keil
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin, Germany.,University of Wuerzburg, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Wuerzburg, Germany.,State Institute of Health, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Martin Möckel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Emergency Medicine, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Liane Schenk
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Berlin, Germany
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Blawert A, Krumpoch S, Freiberger E, Wurm S. Domain-specific self-perceptions of aging are associated with different gait patterns in older adults: a cross-sectional latent profile analysis. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:392. [PMID: 34187372 PMCID: PMC8243892 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have pointed to the impact of self-perceptions of aging (SPA) on self-reported physical function in later life. However, less is known about associations of SPA with objectively measured physical function, especially gait. Research that examined other psychological variables and objectively measured gait has focused on single gait parameters such as gait speed, which seems to fall short for the complexity of this movement. Some approaches have proposed ways to identify gait patterns in specific patient groups, but not in community samples. Our goal was (a) to identify gait patterns based on a combination of important gait parameters in a community sample, and (b) to investigate differential associations of gain- and loss-related SPA with these gait patterns. Methods The study used an electronic walkway to assess gait parameters of 150 community dwelling adults aged 71–93 years (61.0% women) at their usual and maximum gait speed. SPA were assessed with a questionnaire. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify groups exhibiting distinct gait patterns and binary logistic regression to investigate associations of SPA with these groups, controlling for personality traits, number of illnesses, age, gender, and education. To compare overall function between groups, a t-test for scores in the Short Physical Performance Battery was used. Results LPA revealed two distinct groups in both gait speed conditions. The fit group exhibited a stable, well-coordinated and faster gait pattern, while the functionally limited group’s gait pattern was less stable, less coordinated and slower. The odds of belonging to the functionally limited group were increased by loss-related SPA at usual gait speed, while the odds of belonging to the fit group were increased by gain-related SPA at individual maximum speed. Conclusions The findings (a) suggest LPA as a useful approach to investigate complex gait patterns considering several gait parameters simultaneously, and (b) provide first evidence for differential associations of gain- and loss-related SPA with gait patterns at usual and maximum gait speed. Intervention studies addressing gait in older adults should additionally address gain-related views on aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Blawert
- Department of Prevention Research and Social Medicine, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Krumpoch
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Ellen Freiberger
- Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Wurm
- Department of Prevention Research and Social Medicine, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
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Kornadt AE, Albert I, Hoffmann M, Murdock E, Nell J. Ageism and older people's health and well-being during the Covid-19-pandemic: the moderating role of subjective aging. Eur J Ageing 2021; 18:173-184. [PMID: 33948107 PMCID: PMC8085090 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00624-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Covid-19 pandemic, being older means being in a special focus: Probabilities for severe infections and mortality rise with increasing age and protective measures for this population group have been increased. This was accompanied by public discourse that portrayed older adults stereotypically as vulnerable and frail but also highlighted the hardships younger people have to endure to protect them. Given the possibly detrimental effects of ageism on individuals and societies, we were interested in older adults’ perception of ageism in the Corona-crisis and its relation to their health and well-being. Furthermore, we were interested in subjective aging variables as moderators in the ageism–health relationship. In June 2020, N = 611 independently living people aged 60 + from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were recruited via a survey research institute and interviewed online or by phone. They reported on perceived ageism in different contexts, their life satisfaction, subjective health, subjective age and self-perceptions of aging. Depending on context, ageism was perceived by around 20% of participants, and overall negatively related to subjective health and life satisfaction after the onset of the pandemic. Moderated hierarchical regressions showed that a younger subjective age buffered the negative effect of ageism on subjective health, while perceiving aging as social loss increased its effect on life satisfaction. We discuss the importance of addressing and reducing ageism (not only) in times of crisis and the consequences for individuals and societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Kornadt
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 11, Porte des Sciences, 4366 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Isabelle Albert
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 11, Porte des Sciences, 4366 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | | | - Elke Murdock
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 11, Porte des Sciences, 4366 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Josepha Nell
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 11, Porte des Sciences, 4366 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Adaptation to Athletic Retirement and Perceptions About Aging: A Qualitative Study of Retired Olympic Athletes. J Aging Phys Act 2021; 29:828-842. [PMID: 33652415 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2020-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Self-perceptions about aging have implications for health and well-being; however, less is known about how these perceptions influence adaptation to major life transitions. The goal of this study was to examine how high-performance athletes' perceptions about aging influenced their adaptation to athletic retirement. In-depth interviews conducted with 24 retired Olympic athletes using thematic analysis yielded three key themes: (a) perceptions about aging influenced participants' postretirement exercise habits, (b) perceptions about aging motivated participants to engage in civic activities, and (c) participants who lacked formative perceptions about aging associated their athletic retirement with their own lost sense of purpose. These findings provide evidence that perceptions about aging influence athletes' adaptation to retirement by directing their subsequent engagement in postretirement activities. Furthermore, this research highlights theoretical implications for the literature regarding embodied processes, retirement transitions, role models, and adaptation to new physical states.
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Diehl M, Wettstein M, Spuling SM, Wurm S. Age-related change in self-perceptions of aging: Longitudinal trajectories and predictors of change. Psychol Aging 2021; 36:344-359. [PMID: 33539148 DOI: 10.1037/pag0000585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Using data from the German Ageing Survey (Deutscher Alterssurvey, DEAS; N = 4,712), this study examined age-related change in three dimensions of self-perceptions of aging (SPA): perceptions of physical losses, social losses, and ongoing development. Participants ranged in age from 40 to 85 years at study entry (1996, 2002, or 2008) and were followed for up to 21 years. Time-invariant, context-specific and time-varying, person-specific predictors of the observed age-related changes were examined. Findings from longitudinal multilevel regression analyses showed significant nonlinear age-related change for all three dimensions. Specifically, starting at about age 65, participants showed age-related increases in perceptions of physical and social losses, with increases getting steeper in old age. Starting at about age 55, participants reported increasingly fewer perceptions related to ongoing development. The decline in perceptions of ongoing development also became increasingly steeper after age 70. Region of residence was a significant context-specific predictor of the intercepts of the three SPA dimensions. Health-related variables (i.e., number of chronic diseases, self-rated health), affective well-being (i.e., positive and negative affect), and measures of social integration (i.e., loneliness) were significant person-specific predictors. Health-related variables had their strongest association with perceptions of physical losses, whereas negative affect and loneliness had their strongest association with perceptions of social losses. Positive affect had its strongest association with perceptions of ongoing development. This study is the first one to describe age-related change trajectories in multiple dimensions of SPA and significant predictors of these change trajectories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Diehl
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University
| | | | | | - Susanne Wurm
- Department Social Medicine and Prevention, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine
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Relationship between self-perceptions of aging and 'living well' among people with mild-to-moderate dementia: Findings from the ideal programme. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 94:104328. [PMID: 33465539 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A primary goal for dementia research is to understand how to best support people to live well with dementia. Among cognitively healthy older individuals, more positive attitudes toward their own aging (ATOA) and/or feeling younger than their chronological age (i.e. having a younger subjective age: SA) are associated with better quality of life (QoL), satisfaction with life (SwL), and well-being (which are indicators of capability to live well), and fewer depressive symptoms. We tested whether people with dementia (PwD) with more positive ATOA and/or with a younger SA report better QoL, SwL, and well-being, and are less likely to experience depression. METHODS We used cross-sectional data from the IDEAL cohort baseline assessment (conducted between 2014 and 2016), comprising 1541 PwD residing in Great Britain [mean (range) age= 76.3 (43 to 98); 43.6% women]. RESULTS More positive ATOA was associated with better QoL, SwL, well-being, and less likelihood of depression. Younger SA was associated with better QoL, SwL, well-being, and less likelihood of depression. CONCLUSIONS More positive ATOA and younger SA may be beneficial psychological resources that enhance capability to live well with dementia. Promoting more positive perceptions of aging at the societal level may help to equip people with the resilience needed to cope well after a diagnosis of dementia, and enhance the support available to people with dementia. Focusing on retained abilities and achievable goals may help to counteract the impact of negative age-related stereotypes on people with dementia, and enhance person-centered care.
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Zhang X, Kamin ST, Liu S, Fung HH, Lang FR. Negative Self-perception of Aging and Mortality in Very Old Chinese Adults: The Mediation Role of Healthy Lifestyle. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 75:1001-1009. [PMID: 30445618 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous literature has consistently shown a positive association between negative self-perception of aging and mortality in middle-aged and older adults. However, two questions remain unsolved: (a) whether such association holds among very old people (i.e., the fourth age) and (b) the potential mediators that could contribute to the positive association. This study sought to fill in the research gap by examining the association between self-perception of aging and mortality in a group of very old Chinese participants (i.e., aged over 78 years). METHODS Four waves of data across a span of 8 years (2000-2008) were obtained from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, which measured a total of 9,683 participants' negative self-perception of aging, survival status, cognitive functioning, diet, as well as other demographic information. RESULTS Latent growth models with survival analysis were conducted, and the results replicated previous findings indicating an association between negative self-perceptions of aging and reduced survival. Moreover and more importantly, a potential mediator-healthy lifestyle (e.g., eating fresh vegetables and fruits, exercising regularly, and no smoking)-was identified, such that older adults with more negative self-perception of aging tended to engage in less healthy lifestyle, which could lead to increased risk of mortality. DISCUSSION The findings provided support for a longitudinal behavioral pathway of health, linking negative perceptions of aging to mortality, and also yielded important practical implications for older adults to reach longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Stefan T Kamin
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Songqi Liu
- Department of Managerial Sciences, J. Mack Robinson College of Business Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Helene H Fung
- Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Frieder R Lang
- Institute of Psychogerontology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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Abstract
Perceptions of age and perceptions of health have each been found to predict future health and well-being, yet surprisingly, studies typically focused on one or the other. Studies on perceived age suggested that its effects on longevity may be mediated by perceived health. Within each of these lines of research, the constructs have not been consistently operationalized, making it difficult to generalize across studies. We aimed to investigate the associations of different measures of perceptions of age and of health with one another and with longevity. Data collected at baseline from the 851 participants of the Rutgers Aging and Health longitudinal study (mean age 73) included perceptions of age and health, each assessed with four different single-item measures, sociodemographic, and health measures. Mortality was followed-up for 10 years. All four health perceptions and two of the age perceptions (Age-group identity and nearness-to-death) were associated with survival time. Age and health perceptions had similar independent effects in models that included measures of both types, controlling for demographics and chronic conditions, though not after controlling for age. In contrast with our hypothesis, health perceptions did not mediate the association between age perceptions and mortality. Findings regarding health perceptions were generally consistent across measures, whereas age perception measures differed in their associations with various outcomes, indicating that they assess different subjective age constructs. The findings correspond with proposed explanations for the predictive effect of age and health perceptions and support the significant though weaker independent effects of age perceptions compared with health perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Benyamini
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, 6997801 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Edith Burns
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
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Abstract
Views on ageing (VoA) have special relevance for the ageing process by influencing health, well-being, and longevity. Although VoA form early in life, so far, most research has concentrated on how VoA affect later middle-aged and older adults. In this theoretical article, we argue that a lifespan approach is needed in order to more fully understand the origins of VoA, how they change over ontogenetic time, and how they shape development across the full breadth of the lifespan. We begin by explicitly linking VoA to fundamental principles of lifespan development. We review existing theories of VoA and discuss their respective contributions and limitations. We then outline a lifespan approach to VoA that integrates existing theories and addresses some of their limitations. We elaborate on three core propositions of a lifespan approach to VoA: (1) VoA develop as the result of a dynamic, ongoing, and complex interaction between biological-evolutionary, psychological, and social-contextual factors; however, the relative importance of different sources changes across the lifespan; (2) VoA impact development across the whole lifespan; however, different outcomes, mechanisms, and time frames need to be considered in order to describe and understand their effects; and (3) VoA are multidimensional, multidirectional, and multifunctional throughout life, but their complexity, meaning, and adaptivity change across the lifespan. We conclude with recommendations for future lifespan research on VoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. Kornadt
- Fakultät für Psychologie und Sportwissenschaft, Differentielle Psychologie und Psychologische Diagnostik, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Eva-Marie Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Geropsychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Siemens Villa, Calandrellistraße 1-9, 12247 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Wurm
- Institut für Community Medicine, Abt. für Sozialmedizin und Prävention, Universität Greifswald, Walter-Rathenau-Str. 48, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Verena Klusmann
- Department of Psychology, Psychological Assessment and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, P.O. Box 47, 78457 Constance, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Public Health, University of Hamburg, Mollerstr. 10, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
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Giasson HL, Chopik WJ. Geographic patterns of implicit age bias and associations with state‐level health outcomes across the United States. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Giasson
- Department of Psychology Stanford University Stanford California USA
| | - William J. Chopik
- Department of Psychology Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
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Luo MS, Li LW, Hu RX. Self-perceptions of aging and domain-specific health outcomes among midlife and later-life couples. J Aging Health 2020; 33:155-166. [DOI: 10.1177/0898264320966263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: This study places the self-perceptions of aging (SPA)-health link in the couple context and examines how changes in one’s own and spouse’s SPA influence multiple health domains and how such associations differ by gender. Methods: Fixed-effects regression models were estimated. Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Survey ( N = 5972). Results: For both husbands and wives, almost all health domains declined when their own SPA became more negative. The spouse’s SPA were associated with one’s self-rated health, regardless of gender. Gender differences existed in some cross-spousal health effects; while the husband’s SPA were associated with his wife’s depressive symptoms, the wife’s SPA were associated with her husband’s physical disability, functional limitations, and chronic diseases. Discussion: The SPA–health association extends beyond the individual in married persons, demonstrating intertwined health trajectories in older couples. The detrimental effects of ageism might be underestimated if the spillover effects were not considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Sha Luo
- Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lydia W. Li
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rita Xiaochen Hu
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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