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Birditt KS, Newton NJ, Turkelson A, Polenick CA, Zhou Z, Fingerman KL. Daily Rumination Among Older Men and Women: The Role of Perceived Family and Nonfamily Social Partner Life Stress. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbae027. [PMID: 38430639 PMCID: PMC11003536 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women tend to ruminate more than men, and are generally more hypervigilant to the emotions of others in order to maintain positive social ties. Thus, compared to men, women may ruminate more when their social partners have greater life stresses. However, the literature on stressful events typically focuses on individuals' experiences and perceptions of stressors experienced by specific social ties such as spousal partners and adult children. The purpose of this study was to examine links between perceptions of a broad array of family and nonfamily social partner stresses and daily rumination among older men and women. METHODS Adults aged 65 and older (N = 293, 55% women) completed baseline assessments of family and nonfamily life stressors and 5-6 consecutive nightly assessments regarding rumination, interpersonal tensions, worries, and support provision. RESULTS Multilevel structural equation models revealed that perceptions of greater family and nonfamily life stressors were associated with greater rumination. The links between family stress and rumination varied by gender: family stress was related to greater rumination among women and not men. Moreover, among women, family and nonfamily stress-rumination links were accounted for by greater daily worries about others, and among men, the nonfamily stress-rumination link was due to greater interpersonal tensions as well as daily worries. DISCUSSION These findings may be due in part to gender role socialization and women's greater kin-keeping and investment in family ties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Birditt
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicky J Newton
- Psychology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Turkelson
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Zexi Zhou
- Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Karen L Fingerman
- Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Newton NJ, Davey J, Alpass F. Work Preferences, Control, and Independence among Midlife and Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2024:914150241240116. [PMID: 38515304 DOI: 10.1177/00914150241240116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In 2023, current life expectancy for adults aged 65 and over in Aotearoa/New Zealand ranged from 84.6 to 89.2 years. Mandatory retirement has been abolished, but pension age eligibility remains at age 65. However, some older adults prefer to continue working, often experiencing a mismatch between current and preferred work statuses. The current study used data drawn from the 2020 wave of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study (HWR; N = 3,916; Mage = 66.84) to examine associations between work preferences and perceptions of control and independence. We found that those not working but who preferred to work reported the lowest levels of perceived control and independence. Conversely, work preference match and higher levels of perceived control and independence were positively related to life satisfaction. The current study adds to our understanding of the centrality of work status, perceived control, and perceived independence among midlife and older adults, particularly in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Fiona Alpass
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Hytman L, Hemming M, Newman T, Newton NJ. Future Time Perspective and Psychological Well-Being for Older Canadian Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Adult Dev 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37361381 PMCID: PMC9992910 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-023-09445-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Relevant literature indicates that one's perception of future time is related to their psychological well-being, particularly for older adults. However, more research is needed to understand this relationship in the context of COVID-19. Older adults may be especially vulnerable to the psychological impacts of the pandemic, but findings on their psychological well-being during COVID-19 are mixed. The current study examines relationships between Future Time Perspective (FTP), COVID-19 impact, and Psychological Well-Being, and how these variables change over 8 months during the earlier period of the pandemic. The current study explored these relationships in a sample of older women in Ontario, Canada, at two time points (Mage = 70.39 at T1), who completed online Qualtrics surveys. We used hierarchical linear regressions to test our expectations that COVID-19 impact would be negatively associated with psychological well-being, whereas FTP would be positively associated with psychological well-being, and that FTP would moderate the relationship between COVID-19 impact and psychological well-being. We found partial support for these hypotheses. Our knowledge of the relationship between FTP and psychological well-being would benefit from research that continues to explore different contexts and diverse samples, to enhance understandings of important differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hytman
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maya Hemming
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Tal Newman
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Nicky J. Newton
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
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Newton NJ, Stewart AJ. Becoming Jane Barney: Developing a generative identity as an engaged citizen. J Pers 2023; 91:165-179. [PMID: 35686941 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We propose that analysis of the life of Jane Lockwood Barney provides insight into the notion of a "generative identity"-an integrated sense of self constructed around caring for others and the world. During her 104 years, the socially prescribed roles for women grew in range; Barney's own roles included minister's wife, mother of four, theological philosopher, social work student and professional, and community activist. We outline her life, focusing on three periods defined by her time at Parishfield, a Christian 'think tank' that focused on community-engaged advocacy for structural change, based in Brighton, Michigan. METHOD Using thematic analysis, we identify three main themes from documents written by and about Barney, as well as interviews conducted later in her life. RESULTS Consistent with Erikson's notion of epigenesis, these themes-belonging, self-reliance/self-expression and generative identity-are evident throughout Barney's adult life to varying degrees. However, we show that the first two themes, belonging and self-reliance/self-expression, act as precursors to the development of her generative identity. CONCLUSION Barney's experience at Parishfield in midlife was pivotal to her generative identity, acting as a sort of crucible and turning point; from that time forward the focus of her activities broadened to caring and working tirelessly for the underserved in her community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- Psychology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Abigail J Stewart
- Departments of Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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Abstract
Retirement can be a time of identity disruption for many older adults. Identity process theory (Whitbourne et al., 2002) states that age-related changes, such as retirement, can prompt an individual to incorporate new information about themselves into their personal identity using one of three identity process: assimilation, accommodation, and balance. Additionally, individual identity and the manner in which individuals retire-voluntary or involuntary-are associated with post-retirement well-being (Newton et al., 2018). The current study examined the relationship between identity processes, planned/unplanned retirement, and hedonic (life satisfaction) and eudaimonic (meaning in life) well-being in a sample of retired Canadians. Results indicated that identity accommodation and balance were associated with both types of post-retirement well-being, whereas unplanned retirement was consistently only related to life satisfaction. This study emphasizes the importance of including individual difference factors when examining older adults' well-being and the utility of measuring well-being in multiple ways.
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Newton NJ, Huo H, Hytman L, Ryan C. COVID-Related Perceptions of the Future and Purpose in Life Among Older Canadian Women. Res Aging 2022; 45:410-422. [PMID: 35503011 PMCID: PMC10133833 DOI: 10.1177/01640275221092177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Global events that prime thoughts of proximity to death (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) can compress individuals' perceptions of future time horizons, and previous studies have found that compressed time horizons can be beneficial for older adults' well-being. However, findings from recent studies are mixed, and studies of well-being during the early months of COVID-19 show that older adults have fared comparatively well. The current study examines relationships between Future Time Perspective (FTP), COVID-19 impact, and purpose in life (PIL) among older Canadian women (N = 190; ages 59+). We expected that total FTP would be positively associated with PIL but that FTP subscales would be associated with PIL in different ways; COVID-19 impact would not be associated with PIL, but COVID-19 impact would moderate the FTP-PIL relationship. We found partial support for these hypotheses, as well as prevalence of social connection themes in open-ended question responses regarding COVID-19 impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- 8431Psychology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Hua Huo
- 8431Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Cara Ryan
- 8431Yorkville University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
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Stewart AJ, Newton NJ. Devilish details: The importance of marginalia in personality research. Journal of Research in Personality 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2022.104189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Newton NJ. Reflections on Lifetime Journeys. The Gerontologist 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- Psychology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Lodi-Smith J, Ponterio EJ, Newton NJ, Poulin MJ, Baranski E, Whitbourne SK. The codevelopment of generativity and well-being into early late life. Psychol Aging 2021; 36:299-308. [PMID: 33829848 DOI: 10.1037/pag0000446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The current manuscript replicates and extends the few existing studies of generativity in later adulthood with regard to two aims: (a) to model individual differences in the development of generativity into early late life and (b) to examine the relationship between development in generativity and development in well-being into late midlife and early late life. Data from the Rochester Adult Longitudinal Study (RALS) are used to address these aims in a preregistered secondary analysis of existing RALS data (see https://osf.io/syp2u). Analyses quantify individual development of generativity in a sample of 271 RALS participants who completed the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS; McAdams & de St. Aubin, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1992, 62, p. 1003) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB; Ryff, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1989a, 57, p. 1069) during the most recent two waves of the RALS (2000-2012). Generativity demonstrated substantial rank-order stability but no mean-level change. There was substantial variability in both stability and change. Dual score change models showed a robust concurrent relationship between generativity and well-being at the first assessment and meaningful correlated change over time. While demographic and social role covariates were not associated with study findings, one of the most important limitations of the RALS is the racial and ethnic homogeneity of the sample, which constrains generalizability and potentially may restrict the range of these variables. Results are discussed in the context of our current understanding of the development and impact of generativity in later adulthood, and directions for future research in this area are identified. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Newton NJ, Ottley KM, Williams SK, Hill T. Women coming to terms with aging: the importance of psychosocial factors. J Women Aging 2021; 34:123-137. [PMID: 33417514 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2020.1855049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies concerning the process of aging for women tend to focus on age-related physical changes and their correlates, often overlooking the psychosocial aspects of aging. The current study aims to understand women's experiences of aging, while also validating recently developed separate Q-sort scales of ego integrity and despair. Data drawn from a larger study of older college-educated women were used to examine relationships between health, concern about aging, ego integrity, despair, and well-being. Hierarchical linear regression results indicate that despair - but not ego integrity - was related to well-being over and above health status and levels of aging concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Samantha K Williams
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taylor Hill
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Birditt KS, Newton NJ, Cranford JA, Webster NJ. Chronic Stress and Negative Marital Quality Among Older Couples: Associations With Waist Circumference. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2019; 74:318-328. [PMID: 27664418 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbw112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective More than a third of the U.S. population of older adults is obese. The present study tests the Dyadic Biopsychosocial Model of Marriage and Health, which hypothesizes that, among married couples, individual and partner chronic stress predicts increased waist circumference and these links are exacerbated in negative quality marriages. Method Participants were from the nationally representative longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS). A total of 2,042 married individuals (in 1,098 married couples) completed psychosocial and waist circumference assessments in 2006 and 2010. Analyses examined whether negative marital quality and chronic stress in Wave 1 (2006) were associated with changes in waist circumference over time. Results Actor-partner interdependence models revealed that greater partner stress, rather than individuals' own reports of stress, was associated with increased waist circumference over time. Higher perceived negative marital quality among husbands and lower negative marital quality among wives exacerbated the positive link between partner stress and waist circumference. Discussion Consistent with the Dyadic Biopsychosocial Model of Marriage and Health, partner stress has direct associations with waist circumference among couples and this link is moderated by negative marital quality. Thus, dyadic perceptions of stress and negative marital quality are important to consider for understanding marriage and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Birditt
- Life Course Development Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Nicky J Newton
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jim A Cranford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Noah J Webster
- Life Course Development Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Newton NJ. OLDER WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF AGING: THE PHYSICAL, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND THE SOCIAL. Innov Aging 2019. [PMCID: PMC6845080 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the life course perspective (Settersten, 2003), major life transitions are embedded in contexts shaped by personal history and social circumstances “as natural as the changing seasons” (Miller, 2010, p.663). Aging itself is perhaps the epitome of all transitions: a relatively measured movement through a series of situations, conditions, and social roles (Hettich, 2010); a transition that particularly lends itself to a life course approach. In this qualitative interview study, 37 women (Mage = 72.27) responded to questions regarding their experiences of the physical, psychological and social aspects of aging. While themes of inevitability and physical health were evident, the highly-personalized nature of aging was also underscored through individual themes of invisibility, freedom from expectations, fear of cognitive decline, and the quality and maintenance of friendships. Similarities and differences in women’s experience of aging are compared; the need to contextualize aging within the life course is discussed.
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Newton NJ, Stewart AJ, Vandewater EA. “Age is opportunity”: Women’s personality trajectories from mid- to later-life. Journal of Research in Personality 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Newton NJ, Chauhan P, Antonucci TC. CONTEXTS AND CULTURES: CHANGING NEIGHBORHOODS, SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND RETIREMENT. Innov Aging 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.2791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N J Newton
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario
| | - P Chauhan
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener, Ontario
| | - T C Antonucci
- Survey Research Center Institute for Social Research University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Newton NJ. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONTEXT, IDENTITY NEGOTIATION, AND WELL-BEING IN RETIREMENT. Innov Aging 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.2792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N J Newton
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Newton NJ. COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN LATER LIFE: ONE WOMAN’S ROLE AS AN “ENGAGED CITIZEN”. Innov Aging 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.2337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N J Newton
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Newton NJ, Pladevall-Guyer J, Gonzalez R, Smith J. Activity Engagement and Activity-Related Experiences: The Role of Personality. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2018; 73:1480-1490. [PMID: 27520061 PMCID: PMC6178970 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbw098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The associations of personality with activity participation and well-being have been well studied. However, less is known concerning the relationship between personality and specific aspects of activity engagement in older adults. We conducted a fine-grained examination of the effects of extraversion and conscientiousness on reported activity engagement-which we define as participation, time allocated, and affective experience-during 8 everyday activities. Method Data were obtained using a day reconstruction measure from a subgroup of participants in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS: N = 5,484; mean age = 67.98 years). Results We found mixed support for hypotheses suggesting that specific personality traits would be associated with activity participation, time allocated, and activity-affective experience. For example, extraverts were more likely to socialize and experienced higher socializing-related positive affect, but did not spend more time socializing. Discussion Results are discussed in light of the value of including personality in, and its contribution to, studies of activity engagement in later life. In addition, the need to acknowledge the complexity of the concept of activity engagement in future research is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jacqui Smith
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Newton NJ, Chauhan PK, Spirling ST, Stewart AJ. Level of choice in older women's decisions to retire or continue working and associated well-being. J Women Aging 2018; 31:286-303. [PMID: 29498596 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2018.1444947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Retirement is a complex life transition. Women's retirement, like their work lives, may be further complicated, for example, by family or financial obligations; they may feel forced to retire or to continue working or feel they have the choice to do so. This study examines the role of voluntary versus involuntary retirement or continued work participation among retirement-age women; specifically, the relationships between choice, work status, and well-being. Compared to women forced to retire, women who chose retirement or continuing to work had higher levels of life satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of examining retirement within the life course context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada
| | - Preet K Chauhan
- a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada
| | - Shauna T Spirling
- a Department of Psychology , Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada
| | - Abigail J Stewart
- b Department of Psychology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
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Chopik WJ, Newton NJ, Ryan LH, Kashdan TB, Jarden AJ. Gratitude across the life span: Age differences and links to subjective well-being. J Posit Psychol 2017; 14:292-302. [PMID: 31105762 DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2017.1414296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gratitude has been described as an adaptive evolutionary mechanism that is relevant to healthy psychological and interpersonal outcomes. Questions remain as to whether the presence and benefits of gratitude are consistent from young adulthood to old age; prior research has yielded mixed evidence. We examined the magnitude and direction of age differences in gratitude in three samples (combined N = 31,206). We also examined whether gratitude was associated with greater/lesser well-being at different periods in the life course. We found that the experience of gratitude was greatest in older adults and least in middle aged and younger adults. Further, we found that the associations between gratitude and subjective well-being remained relatively constant across the lifespan. Findings are discussed from a developmental perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Chopik
- Michigan State University, and The Wellbeing and Resilience Center, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
| | - Nicky J Newton
- Wilfrid Laurier University, and The Wellbeing and Resilience Center, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
| | - Lindsay H Ryan
- University of Michigan, and The Wellbeing and Resilience Center, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
| | - Todd B Kashdan
- George Mason University, and The Wellbeing and Resilience Center, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
| | - Aaron J Jarden
- Flinders University and The Wellbeing and Resilience Center, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
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Abstract
Topical negative pressure is widely used in the management of superficial wounds. The use of this technology in the management of oesophageal perforations is becoming increasingly common. This systematic review aims to capture available evidence about its use in this setting. Medline and Embase were searched using MeSH terms and free text: esophageal perforation; esophageal injury; vacuum assisted closure; vacuum therapy device; esophagus; wounds penetrating; esophageal perforation; wound healing; negative pressure wound therapy. Searches were carried out between April and November 2015. Case series, cohort trials and controlled trials were included. Additional studies were found by hand searching reference lists. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria with 180 patients. Nine of the studies were case series and two were retrospective comparisons of negative pressure with stents or clips. Healing of the perforation occurred in 163/179 patients and the overall mortality was 12.8%. Compared with published data on mortality from oesophageal perforation, the application of negative pressure appears to be beneficial. The studies are, however, limited to case series and retrospective cohort studies. The number of patients in each study is small and in the absence of randomized trials demonstrating a lack of bias firm conclusions cannot be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Newton
- Gastrointestinal Services, University College Hospital, London
| | - A Sharrock
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies Imperial College, London
| | - R Rickard
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - M Mughal
- Gastrointestinal Services, University College Hospital, London
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Ryan LH, Newton NJ, Chauhan PK, Chopik WJ. Effects of Pre-Retirement Personality, Health and Job Lock on Post-Retirement Subjective Well-being. Transl Issues Psychol Sci 2017; 3:378-387. [PMID: 29430485 PMCID: PMC5805148 DOI: 10.1037/tps0000138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Retirement can be difficult, and experiences vary greatly. Although health, financial status, and family responsibilities have been associated with retirement adjustment, individual psychosocial characteristics may also play a role. Moreover, relatively little is known about the impact of perceived 'job lock'-the belief that retirement is impossible due to financial or health constraints-and its relationship with later retirement adjustment. The current study addresses these limitations in the literature by examining the retirement transition over four years in a large sample of U.S. adults, with a particular focus on the ways in which personality may affect this transition. Data collected at baseline (2008/2010) and again four years later (2012/2014) included the Big Five personality traits, pre-retirement job lock, self-rated health, and multiple indicators of post-retirement well-being, such as global and experienced well-being (anchored within activities in a single day). Participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 716; Mage = 61.9 at baseline). Results indicated that experienced positive affect was the only post-retirement well-being outcome with a significant association with job lock, although only for those with low conscientiousness. Findings also suggest that pre-retirement personality and subjective health play an important role for post-retirement well-being. Thus, the current study highlights the importance for researchers and practitioners to consider both pre-retirement personality and health when evaluating individuals' management of the retirement transition. Word Count: 224.
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Marsden MER, Sharrock AE, Hansen CL, Newton NJ, Bowley DM, Midwinter M. British Military surgical key performance indicators: time for an update? J ROY ARMY MED CORPS 2015; 162:373-378. [DOI: 10.1136/jramc-2015-000521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Birditt KS, Newton NJ, Cranford JA, Ryan LH. Stress and Negative Relationship Quality among Older Couples: Implications for Blood Pressure. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2015; 71:775-85. [PMID: 25852106 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The cardiovascular system may represent a significant pathway by which marriage and stress influence health, but research has focused on married individuals cross-sectionally. This study examined associations among chronic stress, negative spousal relationship quality, and systolic blood pressure over time among middle-aged and older husbands and wives. METHOD Participants were from the nationally representative longitudinal Health and Retirement Study. A total of 1,356 (N = 2,712) married and cohabitating couples completed psychosocial and biomeasure assessments in waves 2006 and 2010. Analyses examined whether Wave 1 (2006) relationship quality and stress were associated with changes in blood pressure over time. RESULTS The effects of stress and negative relationship quality were dyadic and varied by gender. Husbands had increased blood pressure when wives reported greater stress, and this link was exacerbated by negative spousal relationship quality. Negative relationship quality predicted increased blood pressure when both members of the couple reported negative quality relations. DISCUSSION Findings support the dyadic biopsychosocial model of marriage and health indicating: (a) stress and relationship quality directly effect the cardiovascular system, (b) relationship quality moderates the effect of stress, and (c) the dyad rather than only the individual should be considered when examining marriage and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Birditt
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
| | - Nicky J Newton
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - James A Cranford
- Addiction Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan
| | - Lindsay H Ryan
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Newton NJ, Ryan LH, King RT, Smith J. Cohort differences in the marriage-health relationship for midlife women. Soc Sci Med 2014; 116:64-72. [PMID: 24983699 PMCID: PMC4625785 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify potential cohort differences in midlife women's self-reported functional limitations and chronic diseases. Additionally, we examined the relationship between marital status and health, comparing the health of divorced, widowed, and never married women with married women, and how this relationship differs by cohort. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we examined potential differences in the level of functional limitations and six chronic diseases in two age-matched cohorts of midlife women in the United States: Pre-Baby Boomers, born 1933-1942, N = 4574; and Early Baby Boomers, born 1947-1956, N = 2098. Linear and logistic regressions tested the marital status/health relationship, as well as cohort differences in this relationship, controlling for age, education, race, number of marriages, length of time in marital status, physical activity, and smoking status. We found that Early Baby Boom women had fewer functional limitations but higher risk of chronic disease diagnosis compared to Pre-Baby Boom women. In both cohorts, marriage was associated with lower disease risk and fewer functional limitations; however, never-married Early Baby Boom women had more functional limitations, as well as greater likelihood of lung disease than their Pre-Baby Boom counterparts (OR = 0.28). Results are discussed in terms of the stress model of marriage, and the association between historical context and cohort health (e.g., the influence of economic hardship vs. economic prosperity). Additionally, we discuss cohort differences in selection into marital status, particularly as they pertain to never-married women, and the relative impact of marital dissolution on physical health for the two cohorts of women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky J Newton
- Foley Center for the Study of Lives, School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University, 2120 Campus Drive, Room 216, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Lindsay H Ryan
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Michigan Square Building, 330E. Liberty St Room 4035, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA.
| | - Rachel T King
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0232, USA.
| | - Jacqui Smith
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, MISQ 4010, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, USA.
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Abstract
Generativity, or providing for the next generation (Erikson, 1950), is usually associated with midlife, and related to parenting. However, the extent to which grandparenting or non-parenting are associated with generativity, especially within the context of race, is less well known. The current study uses narrative data from the Foley Longitudinal Study of Adulthood (FLSA; N = 150) to examine the relationship between generativity and parent status–parents, grandparents, as well as non-parents–in midlife African Americans and Whites. Responses to questions concerning future plans in Life Story narratives were coded for four subtypes of generative expression: general generativity, productive generativity, generative caring, and generative need to be needed; these subtypes of generativity were associated with parent status in different ways for middle-aged men and women of each race group. The findings highlight the importance of context, providing a glimpse of expressions of generativity at the intersection of parent status and race.
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Abstract
Key studies have established an association between women's social roles and their midlife personalities. The current research expands our understanding by examining personality traits in midlife women who followed normative or non-normative life paths. The normative/non-normative distinction was based on two kinds of social roles that college-educated women undertook until midlife: work and family. Gender-linked personality traits were compared between (1) women in high status professions and women in moderate status professions; (2) women without children and women with children; and (3) single mothers and married mothers. Composite measures of gender-linked traits, based on expert-identified Q-sort items, were used. Each non-normative social role group exhibited a different pattern of gender-linked personality traits inconsistent with conventional female gender roles.
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