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Rolison JJ, Lamarche VM. Do older adults construct more emotionally gratifying social environments than younger adults? Evidence from a social network decision task. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDo older adults construct more emotionally gratifying social environments than younger adults? According to socioemotional selectivity theory (SST), older adults actively construct their social environments to satisfy emotional goals, drawing closer to gratifying close others and pruning less rewarding persons. Yet, there is a scarcity of direct evidence showing that older adults indeed construct more gratifying social environments by pruning negative persons and by drawing closer to positive persons. We employed a novel social network decision task to study age-related differences in the emotional composition of social environments that people construct and associations with emotional experience. In three studies, participants spanning the adult age range constructed hypothetical social environments, choosing among players according to their performance on word search puzzles and valenced feedback provided by the players about the participants’ own performance. Positive valence players always provided positive feedback, whereas negative valence players always provided negative feedback. Our findings partially support SST but draw a theoretically important distinction between pruning existing social environments and constructing new social environments. When pruning an existing social environment, older adults maintained more positive as well as more negative valence players. Conversely, when required to include players to construct their social environment, older adults produced more positive social environments by excluding negative valence players. The social environment participants constructed was associated with their emotional experience, but our findings suggest that emotion drives gratifying social choices rather than vice versa. Implications for lifespan theory of motivation are discussed.
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Greffin K, Muehlan H, Tomczyk S, Suemnig A, Schmidt S, Greinacher A. In the Mood for a Blood Donation? Pilot Study about Momentary Mood, Satisfaction, and Return Behavior in Deferred First-Time Donors. Transfus Med Hemother 2021; 48:220-227. [PMID: 34539315 DOI: 10.1159/000514016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction To maintain a sufficient donor pool, deferred first-time donors (FTD) should be motivated to return for blood donation. This pilot study investigates how deferral affects momentary mood, satisfaction with the donation process, and subsequent return behavior to examine their potential for motivating (deferred) FTD. Methods All of the subjects (n = 96) completed a first questionnaire (A1) before pre-donation assessment. Deferred FTD (n = 22) were asked to complete a second questionnaire (A2) immediately after deferral, while non-deferred FTD (n = 74) filled in the second questionnaire (A3) after blood donation. The impact of deferral, momentary mood, and satisfaction with the donation process on return behavior within 12 months was tested by calculating two path analyses, controlling for sex and age. Results Mood (p < 0.001) and satisfaction with social aspects of the donation process (p = 0.01) were decreased after deferral. Deferred FTD were less likely than non-deferred FTD to return to the blood donation center within 12 months (60.8 vs. 36.4%; p = 0.043). However, path analyses revealed that deferral effects on mood and satisfaction were not connected to return behavior. Instead, age had a significant influence on return behavior (p < 0.05) such that, overall, non-returning FTD were older than returning FTD, regardless of their deferral status. Conclusion Our findings suggest that mood and satisfaction with the donation process are directly affected by deferral but not clearly responsible for low return rates. It seems promising to embed these variables in established health behavior models in further studies to increase the return rates of deferred FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Greffin
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Holger Muehlan
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Samuel Tomczyk
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Silke Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andreas Greinacher
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Marchiondo LA, Fisher GG, Cortina LM, Matthews RA. Disrespect at Work, Distress at Home: A Longitudinal Investigation of Incivility Spillover and Crossover Among Older Workers. WORK, AGING AND RETIREMENT 2020; 6:153-164. [PMID: 32685181 PMCID: PMC7348587 DOI: 10.1093/workar/waaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of workplace mistreatment toward older adults is well-documented, yet its effects are understudied. We applied the strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI) to hypothesize that, despite its low intensity, workplace incivility has numerous deleterious outcomes for older employees over time. Specifically, we investigated whether and how incivility relates to well-being outside of work, among both targeted employees and their partners. We drew on affective events theory to examine how incivility "spills over" to older targets' personal lives. We also tested whether incivility is potent enough to "crossover" to the well-being of older targets' partners at home. Based on longitudinal data from a national study of older workers (N = 598; 299 couples), results demonstrate that workplace incivility related to decrements in targets' affective well-being, which in turn, was associated with life dissatisfaction, interference with work, and lower overall health. Workplace incivility also predicted declines in partner well-being, although these crossover effects varied by gender: Men's postincivility affective well-being predicted their female partners' life satisfaction but not vice versa. However, women's uncivil experiences directly related to the affective well-being of their male partners. These results suggest that for both older workers and their partners, the harms of incivility eventually extend beyond the organizations where they originate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gwenith G Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan
| | - Lilia M Cortina
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan
- Department of Women’s Studies, University of Michigan
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Lwi SJ, Casey JJ, Verstaen A, Connelly DE, Merrilees J, Levenson RW. Genuine Smiles by Patients During Marital Interactions are Associated with Better Caregiver Mental Health. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 74:975-987. [PMID: 29385515 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbx157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Providing care for a spouse with dementia is associated with an increased risk for poor mental health. To determine whether this vulnerability in caregivers is related to the expression of positive emotion, we examined 57 patients with Alzheimer's disease and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and their spouses as they discussed a marital conflict. METHOD Facial behavior during the discussion was objectively coded to identify Duchenne (i.e., genuine) smiles and non-Duchenne (i.e., polite) smiles. Caregiver mental health was measured using the Medical Outcomes Survey. RESULTS Greater expression of Duchenne smiles by patients was associated with better caregiver mental health, even when accounting for covariates (i.e., diagnosis, patient cognitive functioning, and caregiver marital satisfaction). Greater expression of non-Duchenne smiles by patients was associated with worse caregiver health, but only when covariates were entered in the model. Expression of Duchenne and non-Duchenne smiles by caregivers was not associated with caregiver mental health. DISCUSSION Patients' expression of Duchenne and non-Duchenne smiles may reveal important aspects of the emotional quality of the patient-caregiver relationship that influence caregiver burden and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy J Lwi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - James J Casey
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Alice Verstaen
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Dyan E Connelly
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
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Ren D, Wesselmann ED, van Beest I. Seeking Solitude After Being Ostracized: A Replication and Beyond. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2020; 47:426-440. [PMID: 32515281 PMCID: PMC7897794 DOI: 10.1177/0146167220928238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Individuals may respond to ostracism by either behaving prosocially or antisocially. A recent paper provides evidence for a third response: solitude seeking, suggesting that ostracized individuals may ironically engage in self-perpetuating behaviors which exacerbate social isolation. To examine this counterintuitive response to ostracism, we conceptually replicated the original paper in three studies (N = 1,118). Ostracism experiences were associated with preference for solitude across four samples (Study 1), and being ostracized increased participants’ desires for solitude (Studies 2 and 3). Extending beyond the original paper, we demonstrated that only the experience of being ostracized, but not ostracizing others or the feeling of conspicuousness, triggered the desire for solitude. Diverging from the original paper, trait extraversion did not moderate the effect of ostracism on solitude desires. Taken together, the current research provides additional and stronger empirical evidence that solitude seeking is a common response to ostracism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongning Ren
- Department of Social Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ilja van Beest
- Department of Social Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
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Marchiondo LA, Gonzales E, Williams LJ. Trajectories of Perceived Workplace Age Discrimination and Long-Term Associations With Mental, Self-Rated, and Occupational Health. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2019; 74:655-663. [PMID: 28977664 PMCID: PMC6460336 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbx095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study addresses older employees' trajectories of perceived workplace age discrimination, and the long-term associations among perceived age discrimination and older workers' mental and self-rated health, job satisfaction, and likelihood of working past retirement age. We evaluate the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model. METHOD Three waves of data from employed participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 3,957). Latent growth modeling was used to assess relationships between the slopes and the intercepts of the variables, thereby assessing longitudinal and cross-sectional associations. RESULTS Perceived workplace age discrimination tends to increase with age, although notable variance exists. The initial status of perceived age discrimination relates to the baseline statuses of depression, self-rated health, job satisfaction, and likelihood of working past retirement age in the expected directions. Over time, perceived age discrimination predicts lower job satisfaction and self-rated health, as well as elevated depressive symptoms, but not likelihood of working past retirement age. DISCUSSION This study provides empirical support for the SAVI model and uncovers the "wear and tear" effects of perceived workplace age discrimination on older workers' mental and overall health. We deliberate on social policies that may reduce age discrimination, thereby promoting older employees' health and ability to work longer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Marchiondo
- Anderson School of Management, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
| | | | - Larry J Williams
- College of Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Amarnani RK, Restubog SLD, Bordia P, Abbasi AA. Age as double‐edged sword among victims of customer mistreatment: A self‐esteem threat perspective. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/hrm.21949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv K. Amarnani
- Centre for Sustainable HRM & Well‐Being, Peter Faber Business SchoolAustralian Catholic University Melboune VIC Australia
- Management and Organizations DepartmentUWA Business School, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - Simon Lloyd D. Restubog
- School of Labor and Employment Relations and Department of PsychologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign IL
- UQ Business School at the University of Queensland Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Prashant Bordia
- Research School of ManagementThe Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Ayeesha A. Abbasi
- Research School of ManagementThe Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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Rook KS, Charles ST. Close social ties and health in later life: Strengths and vulnerabilities. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 72:567-577. [PMID: 28880103 DOI: 10.1037/amp0000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The world is aging at an unprecedented rate, with older adults representing the fastest-growing segment of the population in most economically developed and developing countries. This demographic shift leaves much uncharted territory for researchers who study social relationships and health. Social relationships exert powerful influences on physical health in later adulthood, a critical consideration given age-related increases in the prevalence of chronic health conditions and physical disability. A large body of research indicates that older adults report greater satisfaction with their social networks than do younger adults, and that they often take measures to minimize their exposure to negative social encounters. These emotionally satisfying and generally positive social ties afford some health protection against a backdrop of mounting physical limitations and play an important role when juxtaposed with the potentially health-damaging frictions that sometimes emerge in older adults' social relationships. Although most older adults report that they are satisfied with their social ties, some older adults experience frequent conflicts or ambivalent exchanges with members of their social networks, and these experiences detract from their health. In addition, many older adults will experience the loss of one or more close relationships during the course of their lives, with ramifications for their health and, often, for the reorganization of their social lives over time. Understanding how both the strengths and vulnerabilities of close social relationships affect health and well-being in later life is an important goal, particularly in view of the accelerating rate of population aging worldwide. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen S Rook
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
| | - Susan T Charles
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
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La Fleur CG, Salthouse TA. Which Aspects of Social Support Are Associated With Which Cognitive Abilities for Which People? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2017; 72:1006-1016. [PMID: 26783016 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the relations between 11 aspects of social support and five cognitive abilities (vocabulary, reasoning, spatial visualization, memory, and speed of processing) and to determine whether these relations between social support and cognition are moderated by age or sex. Method A sample of 2,613 individuals between the ages of 18 and 99 years completed a battery of cognitive tests and a questionnaire assessing aspects of social support. A measure of general intelligence was computed using principal components analysis. Multiple regressions were used to evaluate whether each aspect of support and/or its interactions with age or sex predicted each cognitive ability and g. Results Several aspects of social support were significantly related to all five cognitive abilities and to g. When g was included as a predictor, there were few relations with specific cognitive abilities. Age and sex did not moderate any of the relations. Discussion These results suggest that contact with family and friends, emotional and informational support, anticipated support, and negative interactions are related to cognition, whereas satisfaction with and tangible support were not. In addition, these aspects of support were primarily related to g, with the exception of family contact. Social support- cognition relations are comparable across the life span and the sexes.
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