Structural integration of the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A: Race, sex, and age differences

In this research we examined race, sex, and age differences in the factorial structure of Liang's (1985) model of subjective well-being that integrates the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A. In particular, we viewed the covariance structure of the items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices with regard to the following: White and Black subsamples, men and women, and the young-old and the old-old. Data for the research came from the 1974 Harris National Council on Aging Survey, Myths and Reality of Aging in America. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance. Replicated race differences were found in the factorial structure, but sex and age differences were not found. Consistent race differences were found for the second-order factor loadings for negative affect.

Differences in the structure of Life Satisfaction Index in three generations of Mexican Americans

This study examines differences in the structure of seven Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) items across three generations of Mexican Americans. Viewing the covariance structure of the items as a function of several parameter matrices, we analyzed factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving equivalence constraints on one or more parameter matrices. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance. Differences in the factorial structure of the LSI were found between the older generation and the other two generations (i.e., the middle-age and younger generations). These differences persisted even when generational differences in education, income, and acculturation were taken into account. Further analyses revealed that generational differences were contained in only one (i.e., congruence) of the three first- comparisons in the other two dimensions (i.e., zest and mood tone) are appropriate.

The early detection of cancer in the primary-care setting: factors associated with the acceptance and completion of recommended procedures

Effective cancer control efforts in the primary-care setting require that patients accept and are able to complete recommended early detection procedures. We thus assessed the extent to which procedure nonacceptance or noncompletion limited accomplishment of detection procedures offered as components of routine health care. We also examined the relationship of provider and patient factors to successful procedure accomplishment. Of 221 patients offered procedures by their primary-care provider, 58 (27%) initially declined at least one recommendation, with acceptance rates ranging from 98% for breast exam to 59% for sigmoidoscopy. Furthermore, only 50% of patients offered stool occult blood testing or sigmoidoscopy, 61% offered mammography, and 69% offered Pap smear were able to complete the procedures. Pap smear and mammography were more likely to be initially accepted by those patients with more years of formal education and were less likely to be completed by those with private insurance coverage. Among a subgroup of 76 patients completing a telephone interview, personal health beliefs were not consistently associated with procedure acceptance or completion. These results suggest that both the initial nonacceptance of procedures and the subsequent barriers to their completion limit the efficacy of cancer screening efforts in the primary-care setting. Future research will be required to develop an explanatory model or to propose a targeted intervention.

Race differences in factorial structures of two measures of subjective well-being

This research examines race differences in the factorial structure of two popular measures of psychological well-being: the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA). In particular, we view the covariance structure of the items of each scale as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the White and the Black samples. Data for the research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey and the 1974 Harris National Council on Aging Survey, Myths and Reality of Aging in America. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance of both the PGC Morale Scale and the LSIA. Race differences were found in the factorial structure of the PGC Morale Scale, but not in the structure of LSIA. In particular, consistent race differences in measurement error variances were found for two items of the PGC Morale Scale.

Quantitation of anionic sites in glomerular capillary basement membranes of Samoyed dogs with hereditary glomerulopathy

Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (SHG) is an X-linked dominant disease characterized by proteinuria and renal failure in affected male dogs. Electron microscopic examination of glomerular capillary basement membranes (GCBM) shows widespread multilaminar splitting of the lamina densa, identical to that in Alport's syndrome. Anionic sites in GCBM of three affected males and five unaffected dogs were labeled using polyethyleneimine to determine whether proteinuria was associated with an alteration in their number. No significant differences were noted in the number of anionic sites in the lamina rara externa, whereas small but statistically significant increases were seen in the number of sites in the lamina rara interna of affected males. In the lamina densa, affected males showed a striking increase in anionic sites, particularly in regions of GCBM which were split. Thus, although proteinuria in some glomerular diseases has been attributed to a reduction in anionic sites in GCBM, this was not so in SHG.

Cross-cultural comparability of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: an American-Japanese comparison

This study involves an American-Japanese comparison of the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. A model containing 11 of the original PGC Morale Scale items was found to fit both the American and Japanese data adequately. Factorial invariance was analyzed by testing a series of nested hypotheses involving various equivalence constraints. No major differences were found in the 11-item PGC Morale Scale between the American and Japanese data sets.

Effect of age and muscle type on regeneration of neuromuscular synapses in mice

A silver stain was used to investigate the regeneration of nerve terminals in mouse diaphragm, superior gluteus and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscles following nerve crush injury at different ages (9-530 days). The development of myelinated terminal branches and the development and elimination of terminal sprouts were little affected by age or muscle type following reinnervation. However, multiple axonal innervation developed on up to 50% of the gluteus and TFL muscle fibres, and this was subsequently eliminated only in the youngest animals.

Self-reported physical health among aged adults

A multiple indicator structural equation model is proposed to delineate the various aspects of self-reported physical health. In particular, it specifies structural linkages among five measures of health including chronic illness, number of sick days, physical self-maintenance, instrumental activities of daily living, and subjective rating of one's own health. The proposed model is evaluated by using data from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. The results support the predictions derived from the proposed model and are consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.

Age differences in the structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale

In this research we examined age differences in the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. In particular, we viewed the covariance structure of the PGC Morale Scale items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75 and over) populations. Data for this research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance of the PGC Morale Scale. Although there are some statistically significant age differences in the factorial structure, substantively they are less important.

Population aging in the People's Republic of China

This paper provides a factual assessment of China's population aging and its social and economic consequences. It is projected that China will have a substantially older population in the middle of the 21st century. Major policy implications concerning old age support and health care have been examined.

Age differences in the structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale

In this research we examined age differences in the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. In particular, we viewed the covariance structure of the PGC Morale Scale items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75 and over) populations. Data for this research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance of the PGC Morale Scale. Although there are some statistically significant age differences in the factorial structure, substantively they are less important.

A structural integration of the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A

This study integrates two popular measures of subjective well-being: the Affect Balance Scale (ABS) and the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA). Eight ABS items and seven LSIA items are hypothesized to measure four dimensions including congruence, happiness, positive affect, and negative affect. In addition, a second-order factor identified as subjective well-being is postulated to account for the correlations among these four dimensions. This model is examined empirically by using data from the Harris 1974 National Council on Aging survey, Myths and Realities of Aging in America. The proposed formulation is supported and consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.

Sex differences in the structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale

This research examined sex differences in the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. In particular, we view the covariance structure of the scale items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the male and female populations. Data for this research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. Analysis of covariance structures (or LISREL) was used to assess the factorial invariance of the scale. We found some statistically significant sex differences in the first-order factor loadings and measurement error variances. Substantively, however, these differences are less important.

Dimensions of the Life Satisfaction Index A: a structural formulation

This research aimed to clarify the dimensionality of the Life Satisfaction Index A. A multiple indicator structural equation model that includes 11 items loading on three first-order factors and one second-order factor was proposed to delineate the structure of the Life Satisfaction Index A. This model was examined empirically by using data from the 1974 National Council on Aging/Harris survey, Myths and Realities of Aging in America. The proposed formulation was supported and consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.