The contribution of hope to the quality of life among aging African Americans: 1980-1992

Hope and healthy lifestyle behaviors in older adulthood

OBJECTIVES

Hope has been associated with better health and social well-being outcomes, including emotional adjustment, positive affect, life satisfaction, reduced risk of all-cause mortality, and increased physical activity, yet how hope as a construct impacts these health benefits in older adults is not very well-understood. This study examined: (1) the relationship between hope and health behaviors in older adults; (2) how this relationship may differ across different socio-demographic groups; and (3) how hope relates to perceived future selves among older adults.

METHODS

The study used cross-sectional data from 711 community-dwelling adults aged ≥55 years (280 men, 431 women). Survey measures included the Snyder Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS) and the Herth Hope Index (HHI), a health behaviors checklist, self-reported health, and a future self-scale. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multiple regressions.

RESULTS

Hope was positively associated with healthy behaviors in older adults. Participants with higher levels of hope also reported more positive future selves and better health. The associations were similar across different racial/ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study fills an important gap in our understanding of hope and its association with health behaviors in community-dwelling older adults. These findings highlight a need to promote hope in older adults in order to enhance their sense of well-being.

Hope, Purpose, and Religiosity: The Impact of Psychosocial Resources on Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Blacks

Objective: We assessed the effects of hope, purpose in life, and religiosity on trajectories of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Blacks, with a focus on age differences in these associations. Methods: Data come from 1906 respondents from the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Linear mixed models were estimated and included interactions between age and time and between age and each psychosocial resource. Results: Depressive symptoms decreased for Blacks ages 51-64, did not change for those 65-74, and increased among Blacks age 75+. Hope and purpose in life were inversely associated with symptom levels but were not associated with change over time in symptomology. Associations were stronger among the youngest age group and weakest among the oldest. Religiosity was unrelated to depressive symptoms. Discussion: Psychosocial resources protect against depressive symptoms in age-dependent ways among middle-aged and older Blacks. Differences in these effects may be related to aging, cohort, and selection effects.

The relationship between spiritual well-being and hope, and adherence to treatment regimen in patients with diabetes

Background

Adherence to treatment regimen is one of the behaviors related to diabetes, which has predicted successful control of the disease and reduced its intensity as well as negative consequences. This study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being and hope, and adherence to treatment regimen in patients with type II diabetes referred to diabetes clinics.

Methods

In this descriptive-correlational study, 227 diabetic patients referred to healthcare centers and diabetes clinics affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected via cluster sampling (clinics) followed by convenience sampling (patients). The study data were collected using a demographic information form, spiritual well-being scale developed by Ellison and Paloutzian, Herth hope scale, and adherence to treatment regimen questionnaire. Then, the data were entered into the statistical software and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The results indicated that most participants had moderate spiritual well-being, high hope, and low adherence to treatment regimen. Additionally, spiritual well-being was directly associated with hope and reversely related to adherence to treatment. A significant reverse correlation was also observed between hope and adherence to treatment.

Conclusion

Considering the fact that spiritual well-being and hope were reversely associated with adherence to treatment regimen, further studies should be done in this field. Also patients' image of God and their interpretations of being sick might not be appropriate and need correction.

Baseline Body Mass Predicts Average Depressive Symptoms over the Next Two Decades for White but Not Black Older Adults

Background: Although obesity and depression have a bidirectional association, this link may vary based on race. The current study tested racial variation in bidirectional links between depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI) over 24 years of follow-up in older adults over the age of 50 in the United States. We hypothesized weaker bidirectional links in Blacks compared to Whites. Methods: Data came from waves 1 to 12 (1990 to 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), an ongoing state-of-the-art national cohort. The study followed a representative sample of Americans (n = 15,194; 2,200 Blacks and 12,994 Whites) over the age of 50. Dependent variables were average depressive symptoms and BMI over 24 years, based on measurements every other year, from 1990 to 2014. Independent variables included baseline depressive symptoms and BMI. Covariates included age, gender, marital status, veteran status, and activities of daily living. Structural equation models were fitted to the data for data analysis. Results: In the pooled sample, bidirectional associations were found between BMI and depressive symptoms as baseline BMI predicted average depressive symptoms over time and baseline depressive symptoms predicted average BMI over 24 years. Racial differences were found in the bidirectional association between BMI and depressive symptoms, with both directions of the associations being absent for Blacks. For Whites, baseline BMI predicted average depressive symptoms over the next 24 years. Conclusion: Reciprocal associations between BMI and depressive symptoms over a 24-year period among individuals over the age of 50 vary for Blacks and Whites. As these associations are stronger for Whites than Blacks, clinical and public health programs that simultaneously target comorbid obesity and depression may be more appropriate for Whites than Blacks.

Sustained Obesity and Depressive Symptoms over 6 Years: Race by Gender Differences in the Health and Retirement Study

Background: Although obesity and physical activity influence psychosocial well-being, these effects may vary based on race, gender, and their intersection. Using 6-year follow-up data of a nationally representative sample of adults over age of 50 in the United States, this study aimed to explore race by gender differences in additive effects of sustained high body mass index (BMI) and physical activity on sustained depressive symptoms (CES-D) and self-rated health (SRH).

Methods: Data came from waves 7, 8, and 10 (2004–2010) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), an ongoing national cohort started in 1992. The study enrolled a representative sample of Americans (n = 19,280) over the age of 50. Latent factors were used to calculate sustained high BMI and physical activity (predictors) and sustained poor SRH and high depressive symptoms (outcomes) based on measurements in 2004, 2006, and 2010. Age, education, and income were confounders. Multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the additive effects of BMI and physical activity on depressive symptoms and SRH, where the groups were defined based on race by gender.

Results: Group differences were apparent in the direction and significance of the association between sustained high BMI and depressive symptoms. The association between sustained high BMI and depressive symptoms was positive and significant for White women (B = 0.03, p = 0.007) and non-significant for White men (B = −0.03, p = 0.062), Black men (B = −0.02, p = 0.564) and Black women (B = 0.03, p = 0.110). No group differences were found in the paths from sustained physical activity to depressive symptoms, or from physical activity or BMI to SRH.

Conclusion: Sustained high BMI and high depressive symptoms after age 50 are positively associated only for White women. As the association between sustained health problems such as depression and obesity are not universal across race and gender groups, clinical and public health interventions and programs that simultaneously target multiple health problems may have differential effects across race by gender groups.

Hope and Life Satisfaction in Black College Students Coping With Race-Related Stress

This exploratory study examined the effects of hope and coping with race-related stress on life satisfaction in Black college students. Findings indicated that students with high hope had greater coping efficacy and used more problem-focused coping than students with low hope. Neither coping nor hope had a direct effect on life satisfaction. However, six of the nine Coping × Hope interactions were significant. Contrary to expectations, the pattern of interactions suggested that for students with high hope, life satisfaction was associated with less frequent use of active coping strategies, and for students with low hope, life satisfaction was associated with greater use of active coping strategies. We suggest future directions for research on the role of hope and coping in Black individuals dealing with race-related stress.

Factors Contributing to Optimal Human Functioning in People of Color in the United States

Many conceptualizations of optimal human functioning are based on Western European notions of healthy and unhealthy development and daily living. When applied to people of color in the United States, however, these conceptualizations may prove inapplicable because of their Western culture–bound nature. The authors explore the role that cultural values, beliefs, and practices play in definitions of optimal functioning and describe how overcoming adverse circumstances has resulted in the development of adaptive assets for people of color.

Hope as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Interpersonal Predictors of Suicide and Suicidal Thinking in African Americans

Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death of African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Possible risk factors of suicidal ideation for this population include the two interpersonal constructs of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Past research has demonstrated that hope is negatively associated with each of these two constructs of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and suicidal ideation. The aim of the current study was to investigate hope as a moderator between both thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation in a sample of 107 African American college students. Results supported the hypotheses, as hope moderated the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation and perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation. This study suggests that African Americans who endorse high levels of hope are at a lower risk for suicidal thoughts when having perceptions of being a burden and not belonging. Clinical implications are discussed.

Quality of Life, Perceptions of Change, and Psychological Well-Being of the Elderly Population in Small Rural Towns in the Midwest

This study examines the quality of life of the elderly residents of two rural Nebraska towns, both having experienced a large increase in population. The study examines how the residents' perception of changes in the community affect their view of quality of life, and identifies determinants of psychological well-being for these elderly residents. The results are compared to the non-elderly residents of these two communities for purposes of contrast. A face-to-face survey of the residents addressed physical, social/cultural, economic, and service issues. Both correlation and regression were used to analyze the data. The quality of life of the elderly residents in our study, in terms of satisfaction with the various components of general well-being–home and neighborhood, accessibility and adequacy of services (including transportation), health and safety–were very positive or satisfactory; this applies equally to the non-elderly population, with the exception of access to public transportation.

The Great Black Hope: Hope and its relation to suicide risk among African Americans

Positive psychology has garnered considerable scholarly interest recently and has been suggested to hold promise in the application to suicide research and prevention; however, empirical research has lagged behind these suggestions. This is the first study to examine the relationship between hope and a specific theory of suicide in African Americans. It was hypothesized that (1) hope would negatively predict the interpersonal suicide risk factors of burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness; and positively predict acquired capability to enact suicide; (2) hope would negatively predict suicidal ideation; and (3) the interpersonal suicide risk factors would predict suicidal ideation. Results were primarily as predicted. Implications for hope theory and Joiner's theory of suicidal behavior are discussed, as well as implications for clinical practice.

The relationship between clustering health-promoting components of lifestyle and bone status among middle-aged women in a general population

OBJECTIVE

The association between clustering health-promoting components of lifestyle and bone status was examined among middle-aged women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2007. A total of 305 middle-aged women (mean age 55.2 years) participated. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II was used to assess health-promoting components of lifestyle. Participants' bone status was examined using quantitative ultrasonic calcaneal measurement.

RESULTS

A total of 139 participants (45.6%) were defined as having low bone stiffness. In the low bone stiffness group, the mean age was significantly higher, and prevalence of interpersonal relationships score over 3.0 was lower than that in the normal bone stiffness group. There were significant trends in the prevalence of low bone stiffness, each health-promoting component of lifestyle, and presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, based on the number of frequently selected health-promoting components of lifestyle. The number of frequently selected health-promoting components of lifestyle correlated negatively with the prevalence of low bone stiffness in both crude and adjusted results.

CONCLUSION

This research is particularly important as we suggest health-promotion strategies for the prevention of osteoporosis. A synthetic approach, which includes health responsibility, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management, and physical activity and nutrition, may be effective and complement traditional strategies.